One of NYC’s most interesting new "non-DIY" artists, Snowmine boasts a hypnotizing and beautifully delivered live show. The band gave us yet another proof of it on April 26, when they opened for WIM at Pianos. Their melodic, atmospheric compositions were complemented by a rare onstage energy and intensity, which allowed the band’s sophisticated studio sound, made of layered background effects, swelling soundscapes and controlled distortion, to be recreated faithfully in the live setting. Lead singer Grayson Sanders’ confident falsetto at times brought to mind Vampire Weekend Ezra Koenig’s voice, covering an impressively wide range. The band will headline The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest ) with Lucius at Cameo on Saturday May 26. The fest, hosted by 4 Williamsburg Venues in 4 days (May 23-26), will involve more than 40 of the best NYC based emerging independent artists. Full schedule here. – Chelsea Eriksen

I haven’t tried this out yet, but I have a distinct feeling that Brooklyn’s Candidate might provide a pretty good soundtrack for the next international flight you find yourself stuck on. The band’s steady spaciness and alt-guitar chug-chug energy could work as an excellent backdrop to aviation… and likewise, the band has some lofty dreams, coming a long way even just since their singles posted from last year.
Their newest song, ‘April Again,’ charts singer Cedric Sparkman’s realization of not getting what he wants out of love, while his bandmates’ backing vocals provide a down-to-earth muse to second his thoughts. This back-and-forth between the trio’s members is a great strength, and makes the group’s shiny guitars and rolling bass lines work together as a well-oiled machine. Though it also sounds like this girl might still be giving him some issues… Catch them when they play The Trash Bar on Thursday May 17th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Having already established themselves as heavyweight psych-rock contenders, Brooklyn’s Naam are about to release their new EP "The Ballad of the Starchild" with an ambitious scope that further enhances their claim to the "Psych-est Band in NYC" title. "Sentry of Skies" blends unadorned acoustic and mournfully bended electric guitars with a folky tale of being lost in space. The full band emerges halfway through, propelling the track to its psyched-out conclusion. "Lands Unknown" pulses along on rubbery guitar figures and keyboard chords as bass and drums keep a steady pace for the sonic fireworks soon to explode over top, while "History’s Son" introduces mystical percussive elements to an acid-trance groove, serving as a shamanistic bridge to the EP’s thematic centerpiece "The Starchild." At nearly 11 minutes in length, this ambitous tour-de-force rides on a sinuey bassline, allowing crunching guitar chords and thunder-crack drums to throttle the center of your mind. Organ textures fill in open spaces when needed, creating a sonic hybrid that melds elements of bands like The Doors and Pink Floyd with the bombast of Black Sabbath. – Dave Cromwell

Jean-Philip Grobler rejects the idea that he is a synth-pop artist, citing his equal use of electronic and non-electronic instrumentation to support the claim. There are prominent piano chords, wandering guitar riffs and the odd sax solo littered throughout his sound, but with programmed beats providing the heartbeat and earthly synths bringing the soul, the NYC based South African – who releases music under the moniker St. Lucia – does create instrumentals of great electronic beauty. The comparisons to Temper Trap and Empire of the Sun are appropriate, but to my ear, Peter Gabriel is the most fitting comparison. A wonderful thing, I’m sure you’ll agree. St. Lucia is heading towards an important couple of weeks, with a show at Terminal 5 opening for The Shins and then a European tour which will take him to the UK and Paris. – Read Dean Van Nguyen interview with St. Lucia here.

Emerging Brooklyn based indie rock quartet Water Knot landed a slot at Bonnaroo 2012, and will therefore join Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Beach Boys, Bon Iver and many more high profile artists at this year edition of one of the most popular summer fests. Water Knot was selected through the Sonicbids’ Road To Roo Contest, congrats guys!

Alabama raised Allison and Catherine Pierce (aka The Pierces) have made their mark on the New York music scene for over a decade. Managing the ups and downs of a professional musical career in the era the record industry collapsed has been no easy task, but these talented ladies have done so with impressive class and resourcefulness. With four albums now under their belt, their latest "You and I" (out in March) is garnering them the amount attention they deserve. Deli contributor Dave Cromwell has been catching up with the blonde half of the duo, Catherine. – Read the interview here.

Riding the wave of what can be dubbed as the "nu-funk movement," CT based Kung Fu have a been tearing up NYC’s Brooklyn Bowl every Monday in April for their weekly residency appropriately dubbed, "The Bowl Sessions." On April 16th, installment two kicked off with sounds by Sonic Spank and Biodiesel. The latter featured the thumping live electronic beats of drumming legendry Johnny Rabb and Brothers Past bassist Clay Parnell. Kung Fu took the stage for a powerful funk dance party with highlights including a take on Weather Report’s “Teen Town" – with Weather Report’s own bassist Victor Bailey, who stayed on stage for a raging take on Billy Cobham’s “Red Baron,” also featuring Rabb. Next, the super group welcomed Dopapod drummer Neal “Fro” Evans on Jeff Beck’s “Come Dancing.” Just when fans thought Kung Fu had pulled out the last of their heavy hitting guests, The Heavy Pets guitarist Jeff Lloyd joined the band for a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Black Man". – Alex Borsody

Light Asylum took an awful long time to release their debut full length (we first blogged about them exactly 2 years ago), but this doesn’t mean that the project didn’t make progress in the meantime. These days, a great live show can serves an emerging artist better than a great album, and the band’s intense performances, driven by the commanding presence and voice of lead singer Shannon Funchess, have allowed the duo to impose itself as one of the most successful Brooklyn based electro-goth acts. Light Asylum will be celebrating the release of their debut album "Shallow Tears" (under Mexican Summer) on May 03 with a show at Le Poisson Rouge. You can stream the first single below.

Psychobuildings often sounds like a mix between Prince and 80s new wave (in the best possible way) and their new single “Baby Cops” is no exception. The band, fronted by Peter LaBier, just released a seriously grooving new single off of their forthcoming June EP “Hearts”. You can listen to it and download it here, and see it performed live at the new Williamsburg venue Delinquency on May 24. – Amanda Dissinger

Mp3: Psychobuildings – Baby Cops

NJ’s alt rockers Those Mockingbirds released their album “Fa Sol La” just this past January, but that didn’t slow down their creative process. The band is already releasing a new single, “The Difference Between Love and Addiction,” (streaming below) in anticipation of a forthcoming album. The track contrasts light vocal male-female interplay with crunching guitars and minor keys. Welcoming the new tune, the band will kick off a tour on April 30 at Montclair State University. Stay tuned for upcoming tour dates and check out the band’s site for all related news. – Meijin Bruttomesso