The Rassle – who placed at #90 in our latest Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll – present a bratty vocal style and ramshackle rock band sound on songs like "Celebrate the Days" and "Full Speed Ahead." Positioned between the happier side of The Jesus and Mary Chain and Mick Jones’ Big Audio Dynamite. The band played several Deli shows, including one in Austin during SXSW. They will be also performing at one of The Deli’s B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest) show at Brooklyn Bowl on May 26. – Dave Cromwell

Sweet, airy vocals lead this piano-driven pop band fronted by Australian singer-songwriter Johanna Cranitch, who had a residency at Pete’s Candy’s store in March. Her music listens like a childhood fantasy, a healthy mixture of controlled harmonies, string orchestration, and clever synth pop arrangements that envelop you into her world and experiences through lyrics and sound. A light shining in a community of often dark souls, Johanna and the Dusty Floor is the perfect pick-me-up as we embrace the long-anticipated long days of summer. Be sure to check out their CD release at The Living Room on May 5 at 9:00pm. – Christina Morelli

Papercranes, brainchild of LA and partly also NYC based composer/singer Rain Phoenix, play dark and somewhat disturbed "mid-fi" ballads that convey a sense of beautiful fragility, like those crooked Amsterdam buildings on a rainy day. The band has been around since the early 2000s, and just released their 3rd record, "let’s Make Babies in the Woods" which was produced with a "no rest or retakes allowed" rule, as an exercise in ‘stream of consciousness’ writing. Previous to papercranes, Rain Phoenix worked with The Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, Angela McCluskey, The Causey Way and is a performer with the notorious NYC political cabaret collective The Citizen’s Band.

We must have missed this somehow – I can’t find any press release about it in my inbox… Deli Summer 2010 cover band Bear Hands just released a new EP (High Society) at the end of March 2011 under Cantora Record – you can stream it here. They also released a video from their debut album’s single "Crime Pays" – check it out under this blurb. The band is currently on a US/Canada tour and has no NYC gigs scheduled.
 

Ducktails (brainchild of guitarist Matt Mondanile) deserve more credit than just the "lo-fi" or "chill wave" genre branding. While the home recorded bedroom grainy recordings are obviously there, their songs carry an intense brightness and warmth with them, triggering nostalgia for happy childhood days – maybe that’s the reason of that playful band name… The band will be playing an all ages show at 285 Kent Ave @ South 1st in W’burg on April 22, do not miss.

With wide range vocals reminiscent of some Brit bands of the 90s (Primal Scream and happy Monday maybe?), and a growing set of eclectic songs incorporating pop, soul, dance, electro and rock elements, Jump into the Gospel are an up and coming NYC band with a sound that doesn’t go unnoticed. The resulting compound is a lot of fun, in particular when the guys get the chorus just right, like in "Photovoltaic". We recommend you check Jump Into The Gospel live at Mercury Lounge on April 25.

Brian Patrick Hill and Angus Tarnawsky of no wave duo We Are All Romans (who placed 90th on our latest Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll) cite inspirations ranging from modern classical to hip hop sampling. The band is currently in the studio recording their debut EP with Wu-Tang producer Noah Rubin. We are All Romans is scheduled to play an explosive bill at Glasslands during The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest) 2010 on Wednesday May 25, together with YVETTE, Shapes, Gung Ho and Dirty Fences. (photo by Joanna Trimble)

Baltimore foursome Ponytail have released a new video for "Honey Touches," off their third full-length, Do Whatever You Want All the Time, out this week.  The video – directed by Bill Benz and Mike Giambra, also known as MENZ – chronicles "man’s everlasting battle with fruit and the pursuit of making the ultimate smoothie." PS- The amazing cover art for the release (above) was designed by EYE of the Japanese rock band Boredoms. –Big Hassle

A rocking evening of 5 female fronted bands spanning electro-pop, grunge, garage, psychedelic, and post-folk rock at pianos tonight.
8pm – The Walking Hellos: "The Raincoats meet Pere Ubu…The Shaggs meet Tin Huey…Lydia Lunch meets Throwing Muses."
9pm – Mitten: "…the perfect blend of electro-pop and an 80’s synth vibe with a hint of indie-freshness.”
10pm – Tara Elliott & The Red Velvets: "The bastard child of Janis Joplin and The Stooges."
10:45 – Heliotropes: "…an enrapturing and hypnotic mixture of the junkie folk-pop-environment…the radio-friendly girl-vocals and the massive sweeping riffs."
11:30 – Clinical Trials (pictured): "…like Elastica with extra vitriol and a dash of grandeur…Their music pays homage to their grunge and riot rock predecessors."
– (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.

Bisco Smith has been rocking the hip hop underworld of NYC for over ten years now. Collaborating with artists and producers across the musical spectrum from all over the world, his track “Decompression” produced with ex NYC, now LA-based indie-phenom Cassettes Won’t Listen in 2005 has remained a fan favorite. This duo has finally reunited under the name The Freeze Tag, and, with the help of renowned street artist Bishop203 and director Vidoli, created a 5 song/video saga following the trials and tribulations of Hamster Kid, a fictionalized representation of the struggle for greatness within us all. Critics will undoubtedly draw comparisons to the Gorillaz regarding the animation and indie-rock/rap collaboration, but closer listening will reveal a depth of lyricism and content that surpasses this distant hairy mainstream cousin. Bisco’s charming vernacular and gift for visceral urban narrative is an unlikely companion to CWL’s pristine electro-pop, but the resulting project will definitely give you pause—at least until some un-freezes you.
On a separate note, Cassettes Won’t Listen has just announced a new album, KEVINSPACEY, due in June. – BrokeMC

Mp3: The Freeze Tag – The Hustle

"We just released our 3rd Record out on CRAFTY RECORDS called "Big MiSTakeS"…Its out on Vinyl! we are so stoked…..influences are based in the "WE Jam ECONO" style, but we love everything from Jonathan Richman to Slayer!! We’ve been around Brooklyn for 7 years and counting.. please take the time check the music out wen you can… Put your your ears to the ground, and clap your hands when you feel it! See you soon! THE SWEET ONES!" – (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.