Rewards, the new project from Chairlift guitarist Aaron Pfenning, will be opening for LA’s Warpaint on their 4 East Coast shows in the next four days – in NYC tonight 12.01 at The Studio at Webster and tomorrow at The Music Hall of Williamsburg. Rewards operate in a similar territory as Pfenning’s parallel project, but here the luxurious and inventive synth pop distinguishes itself for a slightly darker and moodier edge.

The Twees, a garage-pop quartet from NYC – will be releasing a new EP titled ‘These Girls’ in January 2011. They’re releasing a music video of one of the songs on the EP titled ‘On The Spot.’ The band has a series of NY shows coming up including Modern Mystery Blogs holiday show at Bowery Electric (December 13th) and they’re performing with Mike Hindert of The Bravery at The Charleston on December 23rd. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Weaving together new wave designs and synthpop sounds, Ultraviolet Astronomy create graceful melodies that soar over dissonant chordal structures; a hard percussive cornerstone ignites dancefloor madness while the dreaminess of the synths inspires introspection; the result is by turns melodious and harsh, agitated and soothing. Sick Cell is Angelo Tursi’s creation – look for big things to come from them with their energetic and hypnotic dance beats. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Chris Young’s delorean is humming in your driveway.  You were trying to make a fluffernutter sandwich, but you kept getting distracted by the funky jams blasting from his windows at full volume.  Now you’re dancing in your driveway and all the neighbors are coming to join you.  While so many rappers are trying to build some crazy cybernetic future version of hip hop, Chris Young is taking you back to 1991.  The EP is a solid representation of an early 90’s West Coast hip hop vibe.  Funky, upbeat production matched with witty and masterful lyricism make a great first impression that’s perfect for either dancing in your driveway or if you’re just stuck in traffic.  Visit chrisyoungtherapper.bandcamp.com to download the ep for free. – BrokeMC

This Saturday (12/2), DC’s alt. rockers Oh So Peligroso take the Red Palace stage for their S/T CD release party. Formed back in 2009 by a group of UMW college friends, Oh So Peligroso mix uber-chant vocals and harmonic driven guitars with rocked and rugged bass lines, very apparent in the track "Suitcase" featured below. Also on the bill is the Laughing Man– so get there early (doors at 8:30) to be amazed. Lifted from the OSP invite: "You better put your 3-D glasses on ’cause we got some holiday shit comin’ straight at ya." Word.

Oh So Peligroso – Suitcase by user4670251

September Deli Artist of the Month Doppelganger play a refreshing brand of rock and roll that is smart, riff-based and with a healthy dose of swagger. R. Francis (guitar), Ryan Oh-No (drums / vocals) and Joey Hamm (bass) seem to draw their inspiration from classic guitar bands of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Their debut EP "Get It Over With Already" is chock full of this vibe. "Breaks My Head" comes at you initially with a start/stop guitar pattern, morphing into something more cohesive. If the verses reference The Strokes, the chorus bursts large like the best 80’s Guitar Hero band. A clever nod is also made to The Beach Boys or perhaps Plastic Bertrand’s "Ca Plane Pour Moi." The ghost of Billy Idol’s "Dancing With Myself" walk hand-in-hand with lyrics stating "but you don’t listen, when I say, hey let’s go." – Dave Cromwell

Tonight at Cameo Gallery, EMEFE will transport its audience out of Williamsburg into a distant place, resonating with Afrobeat sounds, infused with funk, soul and jazz. Phonetically, the pronunciation of the band’s name is M-F-A and according to its members it stands for "Music Frees All." The young guys in EMEFE take that idea to heart with songs like "Free Your Self" and "The Night" that are as groovy as hits from the late James Brown. Hearing and seeing one of EMEFE’s members play the shekere, a West African insturment made from a gourd covered with a net of beads authenticates the experience even more. EMEFE shares the bill tonight with two Latin-influenced bands Spanglish Fly and Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra. – Abigail P. Devora

Brooklynites Aaron Mendelsohn (vocals, guitar), Nick Burleigh (guitar, violin, bass, keyboard, vocals), Mike Drucker (bass, guitar, violin, vocals), and Jesse Bilotta (drums, vocals) collaborate on a pleasantly pop-rock project, The Yes Way. Although active around town and in recording, the multi-instrumental pack has yet to say, “yes,” to an official release date of any type of album – they have a demo out though (which can be listened to and purchased here), and you can always check them out live – they are playing The Delancey on 12.04 and Bowery Electric on 12.09.

Formed in 2009, Neighbors is led by Williamsburg stoop-dweller and former Jacksonknife founder Noah Stitelman. The band’s debut EP "Hooligans" is out on Paper Brigade, and was written and recorded by Stitelman in his Brooklyn apartment. Evan Johnson, Brian Harney, Steph McParty, and Anne Minor join him to create a rich assault of synth and guitar with brooding vintage pop sensibilities, right down to Stitelman’s lyrics about the small failures of daily life. – Read Whitney Phaneuf’s Q&A with Noah here.

Kudos to Here We Go Magic for this video they premiered on Biatchfork (that’s how we’ll start calling the Chicago site after they gave a miserable 6.8 to the best band in the world – Buke and Gass). Anyway, I think it’s the first musical video I see that tackles deeply disturbing issues like death, injury and… the (weird) cycle of life and death – that part is towards the end of the clip, don’t miss it! The band is currently touring Canada.

Jesse Malin, Queens-based singer/songwriter has a new album out, “Love It To Life,” and a new band, The St. Marks Social, by his side, just in time for a UK Tour beginning December 2. The new record’s single, “Burning the Bowery” embodies Malin’s classic rock roots, power chord-driven modulations, uplifting nature, and the Southern rock-twangs of his vocals. Standout track, “Disco Ghetto” is danceable and far from rundown. Joining Jesse Malin and his band on the tour across the pond will be A Million Years. These four Brooklynites’ debut full-length album, “Mischief Maker,” caught Jesse Malin’s ear with their tense harmonies, crisp guitars, and flowing vocals. Notable tracks include bubbly “By Yourself,” sultry “Suspicious,” and explosive “California Smile.” Jesse Malin and The St. Marks Social, and A Million Years play off each other gracefully, and the two will certainly leave the UK with a great impression of New York music. www.jessemalin.com www.myspace.com/amillionyearsmusic – Meijin Bruttomesso