We are sure Brooklyn Psych Rockers Bear in Heaven are not feeling too blue for placing second in last week’s Deli’s Artist of the Month poll – as Flavorpill just announced that they actually won the site’s "Open for Mew" contest. The band is getting quite a lot of attention, in particular after Pitchfork Media assigned the "Best New Music" tag to their new records. See Bear in Heaven open for Mew on December 4th at Webster Hall.

Sunday December 6th, 8pm $5, Fat Free presents: An Evening of Mental Unity. Fat Free has created a celebratory smörgåsbord of art, music, spoken word, poetry and otherwise hard-to-describe oddball entertainment. For music lovers who want to explore something different, an evening of Mental Unity can provide a good time for all involved. Hosted by Alethea Rivera, there will be performances by Fat Free, Beatbox Guitar, Life Occurs, Bobby Oats Jen Upchurch, and Top ten lovers (in the picture). Glasslands Gallery is on 289 Kent between South 1st and Grand Williamsburg, Bklyn. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Gold Streets released their new EP entitled "GO" on November 22nd with a show at at Mercury Lounge. To celebrate, they also presented their latest video, "Red." This project is a collaboration with Director/DP Brad DeCecco and premiered at Music on Main at The Sundance Film Festival. Brad De Cecco took 4 pictures for The Deli covers in 2008. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Woods (in the picture) and Real Estate have quite a few things in common: they both emerged from the Brooklyn DIY scene we often cover in our online and print pages, they share a mellow, clean, but lo-fi sound with psychedelic and folk influences, and they were both selected by Pitchfork Media as "Best New Music" in 2009 and got a similar review mark (8.3 and 8.5 respectively). On the more frivolous side of things; both bands seem to share a conflictual relationship with press (I wasn’t able to find an interview with any members of Woods) or maybe I should just say with The Deli (both declined to be interviewed, which makes us feel very sorry and uncool.) But nonetheless, Newyorkers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see these two acts live at Market Hotel on December 4. It’s definitely going to be a great party.

The Silent League is releasing a new record, its third, in Feb 2010, …But You’ve Always Been The Caretaker. Formed in 2004 in Brooklyn by Justin Russo (at the time, keyboardist for Mercury Rev during the classic Deserter’s Songs / All is Dream era), The Silent League may sometimes appear like an on-again/off-again relationship between a collective of musicians interested only in periodically making records, playing shows, and disappearing again. Another good reason not to miss their CD release party at Gramercy Theater on January 16 with Elephant.

Arpline is a rather epic sounding new Brooklyn indie band with an interesting electronic sound that seems to be based mostly on a wild use of synchronized arpeggiators – hence the name, we guess. These guys played Brooklyn Bowl a few weeks ago and you’ll have the chance to see them next at Glasslands on December 15.

Werewolves have synthesized pop, psych, punk, and minimalist noise into a cohesive (yet seemingly chaotic) sound that has the capacity to both elevate and destroy the listener’s mind, often in the same song. The guitars slide between effervescent, chiming tones and fuzzed-out riffs, the baritone bass lines weave counter melodies that propel the songs forward or leave them on end, and the vocals hover over the instrumentation with equal parts croon and nightmarish wail. The band’s newest release, Dance Raincoat Glass (BNS Sessions/Plays With Dolls), revels in these disparate elements. – Read Bill Dvorak full feature on the band here.

The idea that our world is the result of musical vibrations and clang phenomena is an old one – fortunately, there are bands like Glad Hearts that, through their musical sense and  harmonious interplay, remind us of this philosophical intuition. While listening to this New Jersey based four piece it may easily happen that you find yourself in another world where bells are broken or – to quote the band’s lyrics – “a needle melts wax”. Although at times melancholic and thought-provoking, Glad Hearts, as their name suggests, succeed in bringing forth the joy and naturalness inherent in music, shining with a uniquely diverse and dense sound derived from a huge instrumental assortment that brings the fantastic into the everyday. Their country-tinged indie folk rock album “The Oak and the Acorn” is a promising and multifaceted output – you’re in for a treat! – Read Susi Muhr interview with the band here.

This video from Obits is a lot of fun. The only thing we wonder is… was it really necessary to get each band member to sing the song with the head upside down? Wouldn’t have it been easier to turn the camera upside down? If you are planning on having a true Rock’n’Roll New Year’s Eve Party this year, Obits will play at the The Bell Hourse on 12.31.

Western Vinyl (current or former home of Balmorhea, Dirty Projectors, Here We Go Magic, Ola Podrida, J. Tillman, and more)  will release Tomorrow Becomes You, the new album by NYC’s own Slow Six, on January 26th, 2010. Deli interview with the band from about one year ago here.

Diehard is a super catchy, no-fuss 4 person guitar pop band reminiscent of the indie rock darlings of the late ’90s. They may have the same name as that hit Bruce Willis film, but their music is better suited for all those great high school teen flicks that contributed to forging many into hipsters (think "10 Things I Hate About You"). Diehard’s vibrant electric guitar wall of sound and their strong melodies reveal the band’s obsession for artists like Dinosaur JR and Pavement – something we definitely share with them. The characteristic fragile vocal style is recreated here with a delicate harmonizing of male and female voices – the beauty of their melodies perfectly balanced by the "beastie" power trio sound. Look forward to their 5 song EP, "Oh So Premier", set to be released in January of 2010. By the way, there’s a song called "Back to the Future IV"! How can you not be excited?

The Big Apple is a bit sweeter because of the rich sounds of Hilary Hawke. The musician combines an extensive musical education in clarinet with her experimentation in classical guitar and a rustic skill of banjo playing. The result is a lil’ bit country, a lil’ bit rock ’n soul – a sound created all within the bustling city streets of Brooklyn. The emotional lyrics and soothing arrangements of Hawke’s debut release, “Goodwill,” showcase her broad talent. Hawke plucks and strums her way through the banjo to create music that ranges from dark and alluring to energetic and cheerful. Her piercing vocals blend effortlessly within the sharp, choppy notes of the banjo on each track of the CD. The jug band experience intensifies with the dynamic presence of her large background band (complete with such instruments as the fiddle, mandolin and trombone). It’s pure instrumental bliss. Hilary Hawke plays Rodeo bar of 11.30. – CM