When we were young, some of us now thirty somethings fell in love with a record label called 4AD (pre Pixies-Throwing Muses period) and with the intriguing and liquid sounds of some of its dark, dreamy, suspenseful and at times even mystic records. Bands like Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, Cranes and This Mortal Coil were in different but parallel ways incredibly original innovators, and extremely influential in the UK scene that was about to produce the shoegazer movement. Brand new NYC based project Quiet Lights seems to be inspired by the subtler, more atmospheric sounds this scene produced in the mid 80s: liquid guitar drones and tribal drums create an ever changing sonic carpet on which dreamy female melodies float with hypnotizing effect. All the dreamers out there should check this band out at Bowery Electric on 10.03 (it’s free if you RSVP here).

Sometimes the most brilliant ideas are really really simple ones: NYC punksters The So So Glos announced that, to promote the release of their new EP "Low Back Chain Shift", they will be touring… the 5 NYC boroughs! The news might not be particularly exciting for Brooklynites and Manhattanites, but I bet you some kids are getting quite excited in The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, places rarely "blessed" by good indie shows. The So So Glos – whose sound is very reminiscent of the more "mature" punk sound of The Clash of the "London Calling" period – will kick off their tour in Staten Island with a show on October 21, and play in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Bronx in the 4 following days. Check out the free single from their new EP.

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Guitars’ first full-length album “Soundtrack to Your Future Nostalgia” could also be named “Soundtrack for Your Future Guru.” Meditation and chanting and bell ringing should be sing-along requirements for this release from the Brooklyn couple (Kenric McDowell and Shanna Hill-McDowell) that often plays live as a quartet. As a matter of fact the album was inspired by a trip in the jungles of Peru` after Shanna was attacked after performing at an art show. It’s heartfelt folk with strummed guitar, haunting vocals, and a toe-tapping echo that stirs from a Himalayan peak of enlightenment.

If you followed us in the last year and a half or so you should know by now that we’ve been covering Buke and Gass in all possible ways since we found out about them (they have been our CD of the month in early 2009, they graced the cover of our summer issue 2009 and they placed 9th in our "Year End Best of 2009" Poll.) It’s great to see them do well finally – the band signed to Brassland Record earlier this year (label run by some of the guys in The National), and has been touring with Danish sensation Efterklang (by the way, you can catch their last date of this tour on Friday 10.01 at Santos Party House). The duo recently released their debut full length "Riposte", and are going to be be playing at one of the Deli organized CMJ show at The Living Room on 10.21.

It is an exciting time at the moment for Brooklyn’s Dead Leaf Echo. In addition to a select placement of CMJ shows (including a Deli Showcase) and a trip up to Boston in November, the band find themselves supporting the much ballyhooed reunited Chapterhouse at their Bell House show this Sunday 10.03. All of this ties in perfectly with the October 12 release of their latest recording “Truth.” This 7 song follow up to their debut “Pale Fire” boast the mixing talents of noted studio guru John Fryer. The single "Half-Truth" weaves together luxuriant keyboard textures, three-quarter time guitar arpeggios and marching band rat-a-tat snare drum as accompaniment for LG’s relaxed vocals. "Pale Fire" is over seven minutes of atmospheric guitars, distinct percussive momentum, cathedral inspired vocal harmonies and dramatic build-ups. With all that’s currently happening around this band, it appears Dead Leaf Echo plans on taking things to the next level. –Dave Cromwell

Even though exuberance can be a little heavy on the eye (admittedly, this video is making our heads spin), we cannot deny that it’s also very contagious, and a fitting attitude for the "You Only Live Once" theme (this is the song’s title.) Unsolved Mysteries is a chameleon-like NYC band that plays bouncy and fun indie rock with electronic and pop elements. I can see how their shows are gaining word of mouth for being like crazy musical parties – these guys are able to let things go, even on a sonic level. Upcoming plans include a collaboration with weirdo rappers Das Racist and the finishing touches to their third album – release date TBD.

New York City band Lucinda Black Bear (whose leader C. Gibbs will be remembered by us for playing the very first Deli Mag fundraiser at Asterisk in the Fall of 2004) will release KNIVES, the second full-length CD of what NPR Music calls their "carefully written folk rock with stunning sonic arrangements" on Tuesday, November 2nd. To mark the occasion, the band will play three New York-area shows throughout the fall: 92nd Street Y Tribeca on November 5th, Maxwell’s on November 11th and Rockwood Music Hall on December 9th. The lead single, the CD’s title track, was released yesterday.

Dead Till Tuesday, recently winner of the "Citymeals" Battle of The Band (a fundraising event involving a competition between emerging artists), is celebrating the release of their new EP "What’s That Sound?" with a show at Public Assembly on October 6. The band is the brainchild of Joe Pepitone (although it performs live as a trio), and produces rather chilled electronic pop with big choruses somewhat reminiscent the melodic electronic scene of the 80s (think a slightly darker and mellower version of Erasure). The EP was actually produced by Mark Saunders, who worked with Erasure, The Cure and Depeche Mode among others. There will be an open bar at the show from 8 to 9 pm – we know you want to know that!

"Electric Love" is the new single from Brooklyn band Dynasty Electric featuring special guest Brian Chase of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs on drums. Catchy, high-energy, and with a punky edge, the song perfectly encapsulates Dynasty Electric, a Brooklyn duo who have patiently perfected their electro-rock sound through years of experimentation in the studio and stages throughout the world. Featuring Jenny Electrik’s sexy lead vocal, the song was originally written whilst producer/saxophonist Seth Misterka and YYY’s drummer Brian Chase were on a duo tour in Australia. Check it out here. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

The ambiguously (and excellently) named I’m Turning Into play angular post-punk that’s rife with catchy melody and little quirks. The band has discovered a way to merge jagged guitar riffs and up-beat, playful rhythms with infectious vocal hooks. The song “I’m Going” stands out as perfect example, opening with cutting-yet-melodic guitar lines before exploding into a chorus that you can only imagine a room full of sweaty, dedicated fans singing along to. There’s a bit of that sloppy 90’s indie sound in there too—sort of like the Archers of Loaf meeting Devo or even the Dickies. The band also has a penchant for playing around with rhythm and noise; the 12-minute song “Don Keehotay” is a cacophonous—yet glorious—mess of scattered drums, weird psych harmonies and feedback-laden guitar. Basically, I’m Turning Into have taken the best parts of indie, punk, and post-punk, added their own idiosyncrasies, and created some amazing tunes. Don’t miss their Deli CMJ party at Spike Hill on Saturday 10.23 with tons of great indie bands! Full schedule here. – Bill Dvorak

Bing and Ruth play mellow instrumental music that can be described as a blend of ambient, classical, orchestral and pop. Tonight (09.28) the full 11 member formation is going to celebrate the release of the band’s 3rd CD with a show at Le Poisson Rouge , available digitally and as a double LP – as a side note we just realized that when releases will be digital only (because that’s going to happen of course) double albums will disappear! They will be just very long digital releases… Anyway, for the many stressed out New Yorkers out there, this show might actually have a therapeutic, calming and meditation inducing effect. it’s October, we may all need it.

Five O’Clock Heroes announced the February 15th release of their third album "Different Times". Although the Anglo-American group has always been based in NYC, this marks the first time their music will be properly released in the United States. Their previous two efforts, "Bend To The Breaks" (2006) and "Speak Your Language" (2007), were confined to the shores of Europe and the UK. As a preview of what is to come they’re making the single "Rough Boys" available for free – check out the stream down here.

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