I’m not sure what kind of architecture you might use to construct a psychobuilding, but the band is definitely a supergroup of local freak talent. Singer/songwriter Peter LaBier has teamed up with Peter Schuette (Silk Flowers) and Juan Pieczanski (Small Black) to create Psychobuildings. These are a trio that blends towering layers of synth and percussion, creating the band’s upbeat-yet-eerily dark electronic dance sound. Songs like ‘Birds of Prey’ and ‘Terror Management’ from their past 12-inch releases, provide an aural document standing in for the manic insanity of their highly choreographed live shows. – Mike Levine

The first day of SXSW 2012 started off drowsy and jet-lagged but was invigorated and perked up by the sights and sounds of downtown Austin. Dismounting the R&R Shuttle Bus, I scouted a few parties and giveaways, including the Vintage Clothing Arcade, where Dubstep shook the walls of the room housing threads from the 60s-80s, before heading to the JanSport Party at Mohawk. Kicking off the day, Nashville’s Fly Golden Eagle got the groove going with a seductive mix of R&B, reggae, and pop-rock. Next, Brooklyn’s pride and joy, Bear Hands synthesizer-driven, punky rock brought the venue to capacity, and Austin-based Strange Boys channeled the country side of the city. Closing the afternoon, Austin’s White Denim (pictured) left the audience in awe with seemingly impossible rhythmic shifts, vibrant stage presence, and radiating energy. A quick Tex-Mex break transitioned me into the evening entertainment. I headed to Friends Bar for the annual Oklahoma City showcase for country/punk rockers, Black Canyon, and folksy pop-rock four-piece, Mont Lyons. My consistently noted act and perfect closer, The Pretty Black Chains, who, although have shrunken from a quartet to a trio, have not lose an ounce of power in their heavy retro rock and tight knit sound. A good day of music set the bar high for the rest of the week. –Meijin Bruttomesso

Fans of Destroyer now have a songwriter from NYC to call their own. Singing of the sticky situations that lead singer Leo Maymind finds himself in, the record ‘Gold Fools’ is a hypnagogic journey of competing influences, one half vintage synth wilderness, one half driving rock riffs. For their debut record, Spanish Prisoners ratchets their response to these influences up with the torrid journey of ‘Rich Blood,’ and personal favorite ‘Los Angeles Guitar Dream.’ This band’s washy vibe will leave its ‘tremolo-haze symphonies’ (their words…) on that vulnerable sweet spot of yours found right between the headphones. See them when they get back from tour to play Cameo Gallery April 1st.

MP3: Spanish Prisoners – Los Angeles Guitar Dream

This band submitted their music for review digitally here.

From the moment the ear buds dock and Friend Roulette’s ‘Sailing Song’ came up; I found I was already climbing mountains and working my way across unfamiliar canyons. There’s a perfectly hummable sentiment somewhere in this song that keeps working its way back to the surface, but only after first progressing through all manner of uneven meter changes, brass fanfare and incidental thematic adventure. At times stepping boldly into a space usually exclusive to the imagination of score composers like Danny Elfman, the group essentially writes Baroque pop pieces for an imagined Brechtian musical, casting its talented singer/songwriters Julia Tepper and Matthew Meade as the show’s unlikely protagonists.

After moving through so much landscape, you might think it reasonable that you’d eventually get a good idea about how this band operates. But the more I listen to Roulette, the less sure I am of where the genre’s fault lines are drawn. And it doesn’t help that the vocals are surrounded by generous portions of airy synth playing and legato violin bowing. So I’ve concluded one should only expect to approach the band’s after-hours sound while sifting through a thick haze of fog and mystery. Like an old Noir film, Friend Roulette never gives away the plot, but the distinct pleasure of discovering their dreamy Cabaret texture is enough to keep your ears duly occupied during the journey. – Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for review digitally here.

Happy New Year (who made our 2011 Best of NYC list of Emerging Artists) doesn’t worry about making a mess; things will work themselves out eventually. In the opener to her two-track EP ‘Twins,’ singer/songwriter/noise-maker Eleanor Logan allows a deep bed of noise to envelope her airy vocals entirely for a good minute and a half prior to the drums kicking in. But once things get going, her works take on a life all their own. Like in her latest 7-inch, where the artist seems to drown in a warm bed of synths and buzzing guitars before the bass drum reaches out to pull the song forward, and Happy New Year forges a path all on her own. – Mike Levine

Reptar, as defined by Wikipedia, is “a fictional character from the American animated series Rugrats.” He’s a color-changing Godzilla who, depending on the occasion, is either out to save the world or destroy it. Similarly, the band Reptar is a force to be reckoned with, a furious dance party whirlwind fiasco which, depending on your level of immersion, may either save your world or demolish it. These guys will headline (together with Body Language) The Deli’s UN/OFF party in Austin on Thursday March 15, at Gypsy Lounge (1504 E 6th St), FULL LINEUP HERE. Do not miss! Read BrokeMC full feature about the band here.

If you’re a fan at all of Beck’s ‘Sea Change,’ you’ll no doubt find a familiar place with Aaron Roche’s string arrangements and hypnotic croon. But what you won’t be prepared for is how many instruments and textures Roche brings to the table. Given to elevating pop tricks to a high art sensibility, tracks like ‘Cyclocardorary’ and the haunting murkiness of ‘Death is all Around’ from new record “!BlurMyEyes” place Roche in the company of John Cale and R. Stevie Moore, artists elevating the usual pop canvas to a spiritual dimension.

I have yet to find a picture of Highly Suspect with their shirts on. With their blend of summertime hooks worthy of late-era Incubus, I guess this shore readiness is well-suited. The slow skank verse and distorted hook hum in songs like ‘The Alligator Song’ and ‘Gang Lion’ were practically made for an MTV spring break jam, but the rock trio’s lush tenor harmonies reveal an appreciation for subtler moments and the occasional lift to a loftier plane. And did I mention they have no shirts?

Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)

MP3: Highly Suspect – The Alligator Song

This band submitted their music for review digitally here.

Since we were talking about apocalypse (see previous post)… Fresh from last week video premiere at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn, here is local Electro-Pop band Kitten Berry Crunch‘s bloody and hilarious new music video for "Dead Kitten Dance Party!" This cat-masked rave horror parody was directed by Brooklynite Brett Herman. Kitten Berry Crunch’s next show will be at Matchless in Williamsburg on Friday March 30t. The band just finished mixing their new EP with Eric Broucek (!!!, The Holy Ghost!, The Juan Maclean, DFA Records). – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building and APS Mastering.

Adam Thorsen is some kind of a novel Matt Johnson (of The The memory) who combines synthesized machine melodies, a soulful voice, and live percussion by Chris Davies, in his sophisticated electro a-pop-calyptic style. Check out the single "Our Own Rhythm," streaming below. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building and APS Mastering.