Alabama-born songwriter-siblings Pascal and Lauren Balthrop moved to New York City to start a band in 2006. So they did and they are keeping at it, and we are surprised we didn’t hear about them sooner. Their music is based on quality songwriting that walks the line between rootsy and pop, which makes it very palatable for fans of groups like The Magnetic Fields and Belle and Sebastian. They are about to release their sophomore album "We Have Electricity" in April, and they are givingway the mp3 of the single below, entitled "Electricity". Check out the animated video of this same song by clicking on this weird little arrow here.

Mp3: Balthrop – "Electricity"

What do sleazy business men, protestors, Lemon Glub, human guinea pigs, brand new puppies, twitter, belly dancers, gossiping secretaries, and a bottle of booze all have in common? They all make an appearance in the latest music video from Brooklyn’s U SAY USA. The deliciously asymmetric song, "CEO", (which was recorded to analog tape – how cozy!) is the first of a new set of singles to be released every month leading up to the Armageddon. The band will play Glasslands on March 14 with Golden Age of Transit and Clouty. – (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.

Having been called "Technicolor Noir", The Vandelles’ tunes are reminiscent of 60’s surf music with a modern psych-rock edge, heavily relying on an insane amount of fuzz and reverb. The band organized a last minute trip to the South West, involving 3 shows in Austin during SXSW on March 16, 17 and 18 – more info about dates and location here. Check out this stunning video of the song "Lovely Weather" they released in 2012. (Photo by Victoria Renard)– (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.

NYC’s premium alt rock trio Screaming Females just premiered this video – which is actually grossing us out big time – of the single "It All Means Nothing," included in the new album upcoming album called "Ugly," scheduled for an April release. The band is already on tour with Titus Andronicus and is scheduled to play at SXSW at the Brooklyn Vegan showcase on 03.14 and then at The Bellhouse in Brooklyn on April 6th.

Unlike their name, Those Mockingbirds aren’t mimics of their NY/NJ musical counterparts. Instead, the Montclair-based five-piece produces a refreshing brand of pop-rock, synthesizing heavy guitars, graceful guitar and violin lines, and multi-part vocals. Their record, “Fa Sol La,” released just last month and available for free here, features a mix of songs and musical interludes, including “Mountain Slang I” which begins with gentle waves of sound then segues into crashing guitars on “Coast to Coast,” folksy and balladic “Don’t Stray,” polka-esque “The Bloodiest Gums,” visceral “We’re Animals,” “Fa Sol La” comes full cirlce with serene instrumental track, “Mountain Slang II.” The album is also available in vinyl from various musical outlets for those who prefer the classic packaging. –Meijin Bruttomesso

Sometimes bands bios aren’t boring, so why not use them for a blog entry? All we need to say is that these two girls (Alice and Michi) are talented musicians and you should check out their songs…
"It was early 2011, a jazzy feel-time season. Michi wrote Alice a letter urging her to come to New York and collaborate on a musical project. Alice was driving around Los Angeles, deep in her annual autumnal malaise. She skimmed the message at a stoplight just before stopping at her favorite Subway and read the remainder just before going to bed. Three months later Alice arrived in NYC with two suitcases, a snare and cymbals but it was unclear who would be playing what instrument. […] Nobody knew but Michi welcomed Alice into her home and the musical experiments began."
Alice and Michi’s debut record will be released on May 15 on Kenji Records

After a rather quiet period, lots of breakout NYC bands are sending us news about upcoming releases. Rad avant-pop band Miniature Tigers are releasing their new full length "Mia Pharaoh" today, it can be streamed here – definitely looking forward to that one. Electro-Dream-Pop outfit Bear in Heaven (pictured), after playing a secret show in New York last week, released another track (entitled "Sinful Nature, streaming below) from their brand new LP "I Love You, It’s Cool" out April 3rd on Dead Oceans/Hometapes. Glo-fi pioneers Woods just released a split album with California based band Amps for Christ, and are streaming one song from it on Pitchfork here. They also announced an April tour. Finally, noise masters A Place to Bury Strangers is releasing a split 7" with SF Ceremony under Famous Class Records, for a series of singles called "Less Artists More Condos", dedicated to DIY NYC promoter Ariel Panero, who died in December of 2010. The proceeds of these releases will entirely go to the Ariel Panero Memorial Fund

I don’t know what’s going on lately, but it seems like electronic bands are taking over NYC… Secret Music is an electro-rock duo whose sound is almost paradoxically split in two: the keyboards on one side (or rather, in front), and everything else underneath it. If we somehow muted the huge layer of synths and arpeggiators floating on top of their tunes, these guys would sound like an indie rock band with lo-fi inclinations (filtered vocals, casually delivered melodies). The keyboards introduce an 80s dance element that seems almost out of context, but actually contributes to a rather unique sound. The band is releasing today their full length debut produced by Ayad Al Adhamy of Passion Pit, and will take the road for a mini-tour which will include a couple of Austin dates during the SXSW Festival.

New York City quartet Vaura have just released their debut album "Selenelion" via the Wierd record label. Lead track "Vanth" combines a number of elements, showcasing a sophisticated shoegazer sound with percussive metal elements. Dark, echoed vocals over a medieval plundering beat gives way to near prog-rock interludes. "Obsidian Damascene Sun" (offered as a free download at their bandcamp) takes the propulsive drumming and hyper guitar strumming of black metal and pairs it with slower, more melodic, lyrically intelligible vocals. This is a formula that could create crossover appeal to those who find certain aspects of pure black metal a bit too harsh. See them live at Home Sweet Home (131 Chrystie St) on March 14 and at Public Assembly on March 31. – Dave Cromwell

Brooklyn-based Weird Children – formed by ex members of Deli favorite rootsy pop outfit Mama Bear – will be celebrating the release of their new rollicking digital single,"Megalomelia" at Cameo Gallery this Thursday, March 8th. Be sure to get there early, since these guitar-driven indie popsters kick off the show at 8:30. Joining them will be fellow New Yorkers Diehard and Quiet Loudly. "Megolomelia," along with one other digital track, will be available for free download on the band’s website starting the day of the show. But the weirdness doesn’t stop there: after they take on Cameo Gallery, Weird Children will be packing their bags for a first-time trip to SXSW, where they’ll be playing at least one unofficial day party. – Corinne Bagish