Placing at #55 in our Best NYC Emerging Artists 2010 Poll, Caveman grew their reputation the old fashioned way. Forming just two years back, this Brooklyn quintet earned their growing fanbase after catching the interest of the local bartender. Though they don’t remember how the Manhattan tavern got their demo, this bar has made it their mission to broadcast Caveman’s songs to the happy hour crowd… and it’s worked. The bar’s patrons have shown up at Caveman’s shows as converted evangelists, singing along and spreading the gospel.
The enormous potential of this group’s tribal-inspired sound is evident in singer Matthew Iwanusa’s soulful voice. Sounding like Jim James singing intimately over afro-beats, with harmonies to rival LA’s Local Natives, we are looking forward to seeing the band’s first full-length "Coco Beware" out in September, and see them tour with The War On Drugs later in the summer. – Mike Levine

Sounding like an alt-soul version of Chairlift playing late Roxy Music songs, Blood Orange‘s musical recipe sure has a lot of potential. By the way it must be specified that this is the solo project of a guy (in case the Chairlift reference confused you about his sex) called Dev Hynes, also known as Lightspeed Champion, and that his debut 7" is on Terrible Records, a buzzworthy NYC label run by Grizzly Bears’ Chris Bear, which also launched the band that landed on our latest cover – Twin Shadow. Dev enjoyed international recognition with his previous project, but had to go through throat surgery after a prolonged touring period in 2008, after which he took a 2 and a half year hiatus from touring. The Blood Orange moniker has been used since 2009, but never for a release until this 7", out in January. A full length is also expected to be released soon on Domino Records. So we guess that this is a new beginning for Dev – you may want to see him live at Bowery Ballroom on July 11 for one of the first performances as Blood Orange.

Shenandoah Ableman has the rare ability to turn any genre into a voluptuous experience. Comfortable singing in front of styles ranging from German cabaret to doo wop, her quintet Shenandoah & the Night are bringing sexy back… one sultry style at a time. The band’s new self-titled debut EP showcases this sensuality with deep confidence through a series of songs steeped in the tradition of American folk, but featuring a very un-American, almost overwhelming, nostalgic power – in the most literal and decadent definition of "romanticism". These songs ("So Fine" and "All The Beautiful Ladies" deserve a honorable mention) make us flirt with "dangerous" thoughts like the fragility of love, the desire for the lost past, the unreachability of perfect happiness, our vain but primary quest for beauty. They might not make us jump or feel happy – but the do make us feel alive. Can you afford to ignore it? – See Shenandoah & the Night live at Southpaw on June 30th.

 

Beige is definitely one of the colors least likely to be associated with rock music – and Brooklyn’s own Beige aren’t exactly a rock band. Their mostly electronic tunes blend the obsession for percussive, somewhat intricate repetition of the German Kraut Rock scene of the 70s with a more modern dream pop aesthetic. Playing with static arpeggios that serve more than one chord, almost fading their verses into choruses, Beige’s music is anything but assertive, but it’s consistent, wise, slightly abstract, definitely mystic – like the color that names them. See them live at Glasslands on Tuesday July 5th.

Of all the wonderful shows happening here in New York over the fourth of July weekend, one particular event is sure to get the psych rock and dream pop crowd’s attention. On Sunday July 3, The Vandelles, Heaven, Dead Leaf Echo and visiting psych-rock nobility Ringo Deathstarr will all be taking the stage (in that order) at Shea Stadium in Brooklyn. The Vandelles have been touring their “Summer Fling” EP since its release earlier this year. Their strong vocals, complimentary dual guitar textures, drum ruckus and melodic bass all contribute to a sound that pays homage as much to Tommy James & the Shondelles as it does to The Cramps. Dark fuzz-pop trio Heaven (pictured) add buzzy synths to their romantic chord progressions and emotive vocals. Rock solid drumming gives this trio a cut above propulsion (especially live) further enhanced by their unique light show. Songs like “Mountains Move,” “Centuries” and “Once The Heartache” keep the dream-gaze vibe very much alive. Brooklyn ’s Dead Leaf Echo weave together luxuriant keyboard textures and three-quarter time guitar arpeggios to accompany a relaxed vocal style. The emphasis is frequently on atmospheric guitars, distinct percussive momentum, cathedral inspired vocal harmonies and dramatic build-ups. All 4 bands for 8 bucks. A bargain. – Dave Cromwell

Nate Martiznez’s dream-folk brainchild Thieving Irons, who made out Best of NYC 2010 list this past january in 59th place, just released this video for the song "Pale Blue Dots". The man is currently busy in upstate NY recording the project’s sophomore release. We like this music so much that w’ll also paste here a stream of their song "Ashes on the Riverbank.

Thieving Irons- Pale Blue Dots from Thieving Irons on Vimeo.

I’ve got this big wool sweater and, on more than one occasion, I’ve sat back and thought about what I should be listening to when I’m wearing it.  I’d like something cozy, something with banjos, big choruses, and foot stompers.  Comfortably, Campfire OK has fit my musical wardrobe quandary.  They take the acoustic, rootsy sounds of Fleet Foxes and mesh them with the more orchestral elements of Grand Hallway to come up with some strong jams full of elaborate arrangements and woodsy, lonesome imagery.  Check out Campfire OK at the Capitol Hill Block Party July 24th.

Life Size Maps‘ EP "Magnifier" (out this week) features dominant, treated electric guitars, crooked melodies, loud-quite-loud alternation, and fast, borderline messy drums that take us back to the glorious days of of Pavement’s "Slanted and Enchanted", with an extra "avant" twist. Life Size Maps can be heard live at a Showpaper Benefit show at Monster Island Basement, July 1st with Dinowalrus, Total Slacker, and Soft Black. Check out the single Mechanical Man embedded here.

This week brings about a plethora of new album releases in the city.
NJ based producer Clams Casino (pic above) is set to release its debut EP "Rainforest"which blends Massive Attack, Zero 7 and Cocteau Twins influences for an exciting new soundtrack for your "more intimate moments". Clams Casino plays MoMa’s PS1 Space as Part of their “Warm Up Series” August 18th.

Brooklyn label, Electric Cowbell’s upcoming compilation "101 Things To Do In Bongolia" drops June 28th. This diverse group of songs includes music between the exotic and the experimental by NYC emerging artists we already praised like Superhuman Happiness and Talibam!, and others like surprisignly edgy afro-beat quintet The Sway Machinery and more. The album offers a nice collection of really original, exotic and enjoyable music made in NYC, and is the perfect summer soundtrack for the sophisticated ear.

The funk-infused Aabaraki (pic above) released its self-titled album on June 23rd. The Brooklyn group entertains R&B/soul influences with a quirky twist – their new EP gives indie/alternative lovers a new sound to dabble in.

Dreamy, folk- pop Minerva Lions’ EP "Great Strides, Priestess & Queen" drops this week. The six tracks’ possess sounds similar to Wilco, Blind Pilot, and Andrew Bird – read more about them here.

"Bad Things", the third single from The Whisperians, rounds out this week’s releases. The Whisperians create tunes heavily influenced by the indie rock of the 90s. For those looking for a more classic indie sound, The Whisperians encompass the quintessential grunge summer feel…if there’s such a thing. – Madison Silvers

Wonderful, the summer-soaked indie pop four-piece is back from a five year hiatus with their new album Wake up to Dreamland.  On first listen, their windswept soundscapes lean heavily on the stylings of Animal Collective guru Panda Bear, but considering the many places indie groups pull/lift/steal from, they could do worse.  To their credit, the songs on Wake up to Dreamland are grandiose, audacious pieces that are extremely catchy, and considering the recent lo-fi, bedroom sounds pervasive in indie scenes today, it’s refreshing to hear a band daring to do more with their tunes.

The sonic aspect of what we call Indie Rock has evolved so much in the last 5-10 years that it feels good to hear some good old old school stuff like if it was 1995 all over again. Babe The Blue Ox have been around long enough to give lessons about this: the band formed in 1991, and in the first half of these 20 years (happy anniversary by the way) released 4 full lengths – whose titles, for reasons unknown, are all adaptations of titles of Barbra Streisand albums. Their music is extremely multifaceted, although there’s a clear post-punk/early post-rock undercurrent which ties together their sound. Imagine a math-rock version of Fugazi in their less aggressive moments. The band doesn’t play live often so you may want to catch them at Littlefield in Gowanus on July 7.

This Friday, July 1st, NYC psych-rock band The Barrens will release their first full-length, self-titled album at Cameo Gallery in Williamsburg. From what we can tell from the few songs available online the band in the new record keeps faith to its multifaceted sound: often aggressive and always eclectic, these guys alternate male and female vocals, plucked guitar and full-on distorted chords, and enjoy to follow sparse textural moment with sudden explosion of rock "evil".