On Sunday you may want to find your way over to Matchless Bar in Greenpoint for sunday of free music, (late) brunch and bloodys – only the music is free, mind you! Starting at 3pm, the bands on the bill are – in this order: exotic and quirky rootsy Generous Lovers, jazzy singer songwriter Sergio Ortega, folk rocker Randi Russo , and apocalyptic rock perpetrators Bugs in the Dark – one of the most awesomely tense indie bands in NYC, thrown in there so you don’t get too confortable or relaxed during this long weekend.
As mentioned in an earlier blog, both Dream Diary and Ravens & Chimes canceled the Deli show at Cameo both for health reasons. After a frantic search for a NYC psych rock band available to cover the "hole" we found Night Manager through the Translations peeps. We were immediately struck by their sound, which combines arious melodies reminiscent of The Beach Boys with a super distorted and lo-fi recording style, filled with trashy guitars and a discreet but harmonically rich guitar work. Come enjoy their joyful and somewhat moody lo-fi tonight – they’ll be playing at 9.30 at Cameo!
We are very excited about the Deli NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest) Indie Pop stage at Brooklyn Bowl, featuring "almost" Deli regulars The Rassle and Living Days – two bands that deserve a bright and rocking future – and awesome orchestral collective Lavalier. Here’s a closer loos to the 3 bands on the bill:
Positioned between the happier side of The Jesus and Mary Chain and Mick Jones’ Big Audio Dynamite, The Rassle have the ability to write uptempo psych pop gems delivered with bratty vocal style and great attitude. The band played several Deli shows, including one in Austin during SXSW.
Stephonik Young’s Living Days extract all the good bits from their new wave predecessors in their slick’n’rocking electro-pop embellished with sparkling synths and riddled with hooks. The band’s signature sound is Stephonik’s low register (female) voice, which darkens the mood of swirling electronic effects and effervescent keyboard lines that merge with dance-rock rhythms, fashioning music suitable for underground club dynamics. This girl is an amazing performer, with a stage presence reminiscent of Karen O – you don’t want to miss this show.
Lavalier offer dreamy, slightly melancholic, atmospheres and mid tempo, sparse tunes with orchestral arrangements left to a remarkably high revolving cast of musicians, including a choir. The result is surreal, almsot circusy music that can be placed somewhere between the Beatles’ "A Day in The Life" and Tom Waits’ darker and slower ballads. This is a sound that stands out from current NYC indie trends – which is something we always appreciate here at The Deli
We woke up this morning to the news that both Dream Diary and Ravens & Chimes canceled our Cameo NYC B.E.A.F. Psych Pop show – we are borderline devastated! The show must go on though and the good news is that the other awesome bands on the bill will get a better time slot – the show will start at 8 instead of 7.30. Here what we have confirmed for now – we are trying to book aat least one band at the last minute to fill in for the sick.
Honored with the Deli’ s CD of the month title in September 2010, this Translations know how to use reverb, clanging drum machines and lo-fi tricks in ways more interesting and sophisticated than your average Bushwick bedroom project. Most importantly, they can write good songs, and have found a strong signature sound in Andrew Fox’s dark and thoughtful vocals.
What would you expect from a band called Dinowalrus if not something really "out there"? The band in the last few years has slightly tamed their wild psych rock experimentalism in a more structured and pop direction, which ended up producing a sound that’s at times reminiscent of none other than The Psychedelic Furs! (I think that’s the first time I reference that band in my entire music-writing career, pretty excited about it). The band played one of our shows about two years ago, we are really looking forward to see how their live show has evolved since then.
8.45 – PROSPECTOR Hailing from the Lower East Side (not Brooklyn?!?) Prospector – with their riff driven, dark and tense songs – are probably the least psychedelic band on this bill, although shoegazer elements can be found in their droney guitars. The band’s main reference though is the energy of the punk/hardcore scene that they all grew up with. Tonight (and in their recently released debut EP) expect uptempo, moody and in your face indie rock that doesn’t shy away from minimalistic melodies.
This is one of the few bands we’ve heard in recent times that’s creating quality shoegazey music that doesn’t sound formulaic.The single we are streaming below has cool sounds, a beautiful melody sung by a voice possessing a graceful and dreamy empathy that might have therapeutic and stress relieving powers – that’s what anybody into dream pop like us wants to hear. By the way, hopefully this little blurb is positive enough to get the band to quote us on their online press section!
So to compensate for the anti-hipster party last night we presented at The Knit, tonight we’ll also have a uber noisy B.E.A.F. show at Glasslands reserved to hipsters only. Here’s the lineup:
This is currently one of the most interesting NYC based noise rock acts – they were just honored with our CD of the Month "title". Think industrial, noise-rock and shoegazer mixed together, topped off by some kind of melodic tribal chanting. YVETTE’s music comes as close as it gets to what the "Rapture" should sound like.
When Dirty Fences crackles out “Can’t Tame Me” you get the message. This punk group takes you back to the days when CBGB’s was brand new and Syd and Nancy might fall over you while making out. Catch these cats scrap up the raw energy that The Stooges left behind years before and bring it into a new millennium sound. – MM
Gung Ho is the straight edge razor of rock. This five-piece band incorporates eclectic arrangements mixed with basic rock’n’roll rhythms, creating a fun ride through familiar territory. Taking an esoteric approach to their live sets, these guys can blanket the audience with some serious energy surges when they play a gig. – MM
I don’t say this often, but Mr. Shiffmann & Co. are IMHO one of the best kept secrets of the NYC scene – indie rock department. These guys have some fantastic "classic" indie songs, in a "90s resurgence" kind of way. They make me think of The Flaming Lips at their peak (early to mid 90s) with a better singer, or legendary Thin White Rope (incredibly underestimated US band from the 90s). Steve Shiffman & The Land of No have now embarked on a project to release an EP every three months, culminating in a full-length LP to be released on Vinyl By Later Records. The first of these EPs, "Death & Love", will be released on July 19th. You want to see them play tonight. – PDG
Fresh winners of our Artists of the Month poll, Shapes embody the sounds of the DIY hipster rock scene while showcasing a freewheeling buoyancy which permeates across their raucous five-track offering I FEEL…THEREFORE I DRINK. Blending The Stooges’ attitude, My Chemical Romance’s catchiness and the The Ramones’ simplicity mixed with a shot of punk pizzazz via Dead Boys and Sex Pistols, this troupe keeps the energy level at fever pitch
The Courtesy Tier, Brooklyn-based duo and experts in the multiplication of sound, have completed their full length record, “The Resolution.” Sauntering beats and freewheeling vocal/guitar melodies of “Standing Near” introduce the bight but haunting nature of the album. A rush of distortion, recurring arpeggios, and syncopated percussion on “Rescue” transition into “Peaches” which steers “The Resolution” into a harder direction, while “Alright Mama” decelerates the record into a beautifully crafted, poignant lullaby. Light drums proceed into guitars that alternate between ringing and grungy on “Morning Run”. “Hey Bee” commences with vibrant vocals that are joined unexpectedly by sultry riffs and heavy-hitting backbeats. Howling and echoing “Calling Out” fades into the final track, “Home,” which rounds out the record, returning to the peacefully melancholy mood. “The Resolution” is a masterfully made album that balances bluesy, balladic, and buoyant. Come out and celebrate the release of “The Resolution” on May 26 at Pianos. –Meijin Bruttomesso
Back in December The Deli polled 30+ NYC scene-makers (including many venue promoters) asking their opinion about the best emerging local acts. Many of these artists have been booked to play our yearly fest, The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest), which kicked off on Tuesday at The Knitting Factory with our FOLK-SINGER SONGWRITER STAGE. Here’s a closer look at who’s playing this first event:
Placing 8th in that list, with a voice of epic proportions and range and a portfolio of stars that he’s already shared the stage with in his young career, Norman Vladimir is one of the most promising and sought-out artists in New York City – he’ll hit thestage at 9pm. His pop/soul/funk sounds blends seamlessly with his song composition and vocal looping to engage audiences in not just a show but an entire experience.
Bird Call – aka Chiara Angelicola – will celebrate the release party for her new EP comprised entirely of cover songs entitled "Other Creatures". Bird Call possesses a soprano full of character, and plays luxuriously arranged ballads – her cover songs are reinterpretations, not playbacks: enjoy Beck’s "Lost Cause" streaming here. The Ep also features songs by Kate Bush, Nick Cave and Fleetwood Mac.
MP3: Bird Call – Lost Cause (Beck cover)
New Jersey collective Waking Lights will bring some rawk and even some psych influences to this folky night of music. We are embedding here our favorite tune (probably their least folky actually) from their latest album "The Rabbit Hole".
10.45 DANIEL WAYNE Daniel Wayne is a fireside crooner and mid-western transplant. Tracks like “The Princess & The Gun” prove that this modern day cowboy roaming the Big Apple streets has plenty of tales to share over whiskeys and cigarettes. Wayne also has that stoner garage rocker in him evident in tracks like “Protest Song”. He’ll perform at 10.45.
An incorporation of piano paired with classical vocals and haunting melodies make Lacrymosa a stand out amongst the standard singer-songwriter to emerge from the NYC music scene. Her sweet, angelic voice is filled with truth and emotion, accurately portraying the depth of the songs she writes and musical composure that steps outside a comfort zone and into a world of chance and exploration. She’s fresh off a May residency at The Living Room, and will be performing at 8.30.
Earlier in the evening female duo Lucius (8.30) will bring us back to the essential of music with their warm and emotional Americana, while Alison Clancy’s Huff This! (8.00) will introduce us to her deceivingly laid-back music. Fifth Nation‘s upbeat soul pop will get the show started at 7.30, while Turner Cody is in charge of keeping the spirits up after 11pm, when his moody and upbeat folk-rock will resonate through The Knitting Factory live room. Check out his latest video of the song "Back in the Land of the Living here. – Christina Morelli
Unlike most of the blogs and music critics out there we liked the Luke Temple solo stuff more than his music with Here We Go Magic – proof is the fact that his debut CD "Snowbeat" was honored with our CD of the month back in 2007. Hence, we are thrilled to hear he’s back with a new solo effort entitled "Don’t Act Like You Don’t Care" under Western Vinyl. Evidently learning from the Here We Go Magic experience that refined production doesn’t necessarily help sell more records, Temple recorded this album in a few hours live with friends on a 4 track recorded. Of course, this new material sounds less produced, more raw, but not necessarily less sophisticated – even though some tunes are as folk as folk gets. As usual, Mr. Temple lends his melancholic and detached alto to beautiful melodies, but the songs here are more upbeat and luminous. All electronic ornaments present in the debut have disappeared, replaced by maracas, shakers and other ornamental percussions, leaving the acoustic guitars and drums in the spotlight.
I’ve noticed a consistent theme in much of Brooklyn’s music over the last decade. A rediscovery of ritual, where the music is meant to be understood as an event in and of itself. No external references or signposts needed. Bands like Animal Collective, Yeasayer and Tanlines have adopted this minimal, repetitive style as their own, reducing an internet’s worth of ideas to a tribal, almost religious "primalism."
Brooklyn’s Yvette channel this tradition, but they do it like badasses, carving out their tribal energy with religious devotion and knife-like intensity. Their debut self-titled EP is a primal meditation without all the psychedelic trappings. Making no apologies to analog originalists, their construction of LOUD, grinding, sawtooth synths is all digital; which works well for them. Yvette’s approach is so immediate, I doubt anyone will mind how they’ve built their saturated, washy textures. The same can be said of their vocal chants. Most of the time when duo Noah and Rick are singing, you really can’t make out any of the lyrics, but really… what does it matter? The way the earsplitting drums, laptops and vocals are thrown into the fire, the need for narrative detail is entirely discarded. The four songs on their EP weave an intense journey without using verses, hooks, or even chord changes to tell it, trading in these usual placeholders for a deeper sense of continuity… one droney shout at a time. In a town blanketed in beach bands, Yvette is a much needed wake-up call. Stream and purchase all tracks on their ">bandcamp, and see them play live as part of the Deli’s NYC Best of Emerging Artist Fest next Wednesday, May 25 at Glasslands. – Mike Levine
Some people can’t handle being rocked to their core. Many can’t handle it on a Tuesday night. Are you one of the chosen few? The brave, the proud, the probably unwashed may want to head to Electric Bowery on Tuesday (tonight) for a show involving Brass Knuckle Evangelists‘ rock’n’roll and and The Nuclears‘ certifiably loud and dirty brand of garage – these guys (in the picture) just released a full CD in April. (Unfortunately PISSER had to cancel.) Also featured will be burlesque by Go Go Army, a fashion show by Stella Zotis, and more things than I have the space for. (Check out Bowery’s website for more info.) Doors are at 8pm, $10. -allison levin
Illuminated on stage by projections of vintage Muppets and cult films, The Living Kills play echo-y, strong and plowing psychedelic rock’n’roll with simple variations and classic structure. They could be described as a version of The Velvet Underground with a little extra weight in the form of a bolder guitar and a more prominent organ – often replaced by droney strings on record. Last week, the band threw a celebration for the release of their newest album “Faceless Angels” at Public Assembly. The event was planned with readings, even a raffle, run and emceed by the lovely Jennifer Bassett, Living Kills keys player and co-vocalist. Their next show will be at Bar Matchless in Greenpoint on June 11. – Caitlin Clive
Hailing from the Lower East Side (not Brooklyn?!?) Prospector – with their riff driven, dark and tense songs – are probably the least psychedelic band on this bill, although shoegazer elements can be found in their droney guitars. The band’s main reference though is the energy of the punk/hardcore scene that they all grew up with. Tonight (and in their recently released debut EP) expect uptempo, moody and in your face indie rock that doesn’t shy away from minimalistic melodies.
