New Numbers is the new band of Joshua Abbott and Michael Fadem, former members – together with Holly Miranda – of The Jealous Girlfriends, a band that graced the cover of The Deli in 2006. This new project shares with their previous effort a sober psych rock influence and a punchy, hybrid sound, where guitars and synths cooperate to create thick and textured arrangements. The group’s material reveals all sorts of influences. "Creature Comforts" is the only track from the new CD available online and – I know some people won’t like this, but it’s true – sounds like Simple Minds’ from the "New Gold Dream" period, which is kind of refreshing because Jim Kerr’s band was awesome for many years before becoming extra annoying (everybody should check out their first 3-4 albums). Older songs from the previous "Islands EP" ("She’s So Down", "Whatever I Want") refer more directly to the sounds of the 60s, with beat and psychedelic influences. "Hinterlands" on the other hand is an upbeat pop-rock track with unexpected reggae bridge, more reminiscent of the band’s recent past with The Jealous Girlfriends. New Numbers will celebrate the release of their full length album at Rock Shop on March 3rd – Sean Bones will also be on the bill. These Are Not Records is planning to distribute a limited 300 copies on colored vinyl.

Hip Hop is in an interesting period of change right now. Many rappers are realizing that they can’t just rhyme over hardcore beats and expect to be overnight superstars. Enter groups like Rocky Business, rapper-producer duos who combine elements of street rap with unorthodox pop/electro production. Of the wide spectrum of groups attempting to bridge the gap, Rocky Business stands out as a tasteful balance of skillful rhyming, upbeat rhythms, and healthy swagger. They’ll be releasing their new mixtape at the Mercury Lounge tomorrow, February 23. Dust off your dancing shoes and Gameboy belt buckle and prepare yourself for the electric revival! – BrokeMC

Separately, the four members of The Archive have been at this for a while. They’ve played in countless bands – from indie rock to prog rock, ’60s psychedelia to ’70s punk – played countless shows – from New York’s Irving Plaza to 1,000-seat arenas in Toronto – and toured across the country. And yet it’s only now that they’ve managed to find each other. And things have never sounded better. Combining the raw, rootsy sound of Paul Westerberg and Spoon with the twisted beauty of Sigur Ros and early British shoegaze acts like Ride and Chapterhouse, The Archive draw inspiration from a host of influences on both sides of the Atlantic and both sides of the last decade. Check them out live at Mercury Lounge tonight (02.21). – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Brian Mackey is a Singer/Songwriter from NYC who just released his much awaited album, "Honest Love", and is currently playing his "Honest Love" tour across the country. His kick-off show was at the Knitting Factory Brooklyn, Feb. 1st. Also, he has the "Honest Love" music video debut releasing in March, filmed live in Chicago. His next show is at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville on February 13th at 6:30PM, and the Hotel Indigo on the 14th at 10PM. Also, he has his "Honest Love" music video debut releasing in March, filmed live in Chicago.- (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Sick of frontmen lacking stage presence, making you question if they even enjoy their own music? Francis Farewell Starlite may be the cure. Fellow scenemaker and Cantora Records labelmate, William Johnson of Gordon Voidwell, once said in a Deli interview that Starlite “is easily the most impressive dancer I’ve played a show with.” A quick search on YouTube renders numerous live videos of him showing off some sweet dance moves, opening for acts like Drake and MGMT. His band Francis and The Lights has a good amount of cred as they can count Kanye West and Drake as fans. Francis will play a rare solos show on February 24 at Les Poisson Rouge, only accompanied by piano and drum machine, and we can’t help but wonder: will the bare bone pre-programmed rhythms trigger some of those notorious dance moves? – Nancy Chow

Simple, droney guitar chords, bare-bones drums, and alluring siren vocals combine into a power trio called Widowspeak. This new Brooklyn based band sounds like Kim Deal doing lead vocals on some kind of twangy psych rock. If that’s not enticing enough, their slower numbers (see embedded song) sound like Deal doing a guest shot on The Velvet Underground. And – by the way – yes, we did have a crush on Kim when we were teenagers, didn’t you?
The band has a string of interesting shows coming up: they will be opening for Crystals Stilts and Beach Fossils at 285 Kent on 02.18 (tonight), play Mercury Lounge with Teenage Stride on February 20th, and Glasslands with Dirty Beaches, Yellow Fever on March 3rd. – Michele McManmon

River City Extension formed in New Jersey coffee shops around lead singer Joe Michelini. They are a band that appeals as much to the studio-quality audiophile as to the live music party animal with a tight live show, complete with a horn section. Having this much musical variety is a rarity in pop music today and sets the band apart with its instrumental prowess. The band has a vast array of different instruments but does not play them just to be different they all fit in well with the ensemble and are almost all played with a level of virtuosity. – Read Alex Borsody Interview with the band here.

Translations have a penchant for the sounds of 60’s pop and psych, as well as a healthy affection for classic R&B and soul. They’ve managed to merge these elements with the more modern sounds of reverb-soaked, lo-fi garage rock, and the results are impressive. “The Wanderer,” off the band’s recent EP (and not a cover of the Dion song), boasts a slinky bass line and crooned vocals, a hazy layer of organ, propulsive drum claps and a chorus laden with enough “oohs” for everyone to feel comfortable singing along to. “Tarantella” is a bit more out there, but no-less infectious waxing and waning like a lost early Velvet Underground demo. Translations formed about a year ago and have already managed to garner some local blog praise, with more to come after the release of two new singles early this year. – Read Bill Dvorak Q&A with the band here.

Luke Rathborne is just 22 years old and already knows what it feels like to be tired after a long night of drinking and other regrettable affairs, knowing he’s gotta pick himself up to do it all over again the next night. Hailing from the deep woods of Brunswick, Maine, his voice occupies a wide range of sparse and haunting settings; from sad bastard bar ballads to whispy folk tunes, he succeeds in turning otherwise stubborn melancholy to the kind of comforting intimacy I used to go to Elliott Smith to find. His wispy tenor is so effortless, Rathborne has no difficulty complimenting a very wide pallette, which can sometimes make his thread a bit difficult to follow, but that’s part of the fun that comes with discovering a new artist. You can expect something for anyone needing a shoulder to cry on when his debut double-E.P. Dog Years comes out March 8 on Dilletante Records. He’ll also be leaving for a London tour on the 21st of this month, so now’s the time to see him in an intimate, local space. Luke Rathborne performs at The Living Room Feb 18 @ 7pm. – Mike Levine
Luke Rathborne: Dog Years

Influenced musically by acts like Death Cab for Cutie, Pinback, Modest Mouse, and the Shins, No Wine for Kittens is an emerging NJ based rootsy pop band that also features a storytelling aspect similar to Bright Eyes or Bob Dylan. The band won the 2009 Asbury Music award for top indie rock, and have recently had their music featured in the short film "Falling to Pieces." – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Screens seeped into existence in early 2009, after Washington, D.C. defectors, drummer Andrew Becker (Dischord Records’, Medications) and vocalist Breck Brunson (psych-sludge purveyors, Apes) hooked up with keyboardist, Daniel Roland Tierney (San Francisco’s The Mall) and guitarist, Luke Kozikowski in New York City. The band plays dark, frantic and tense post punk with influences ranging from industrial music to The Cure’s "Pornography" period, with an underlying psychedelic approach. Distorted drums, an organ that sounds more like a Farfisa than a Hammond and Brunson’s filtered, falsetto vocals give this band a very recognizable signature sound, that make them a welcome addition to the NYC scene. They are playing at Glasslands in NYC on 02.18, this might be an interesting show. Their debut album "Dead House" will be released on May 17 on Delicate Recordings.

The members of Brooklyn’s Madison Square Gardeners have a long pedigree as backing musicians for artists like Ben Kweller, The New York Dolls and Jill Sobule, to name a few. They are about to release a new EP entitled "Teeth of Champions" (out on 03.15) which continues their output of twangy pop/rock tunes in the tradition of the best Tom Petty or Bob Dylan post 70s. The band just finished a Midwest run w/ Drivin’ & Cryin and hit The Rock Shop in Brooklyn on Feb 24th before March dates to and from SXSW.

Madison Square Gardener: Innocent