THE DELI

At the 2014 edition of the CMJ Music Marathon, Brooklyn’s Slothrust will be one of the NYC bands to keep an ear on (or two). Offering a very personal reinterpretation of the loud/quiet/loud sound of the rock of the 90s (but sparing us from the raspy vocals revival), their 2013 album ‘Of Course You Do’ has been a little bit of a sleeper, but allowed the band to keep gaining momentum and conquering fans with each live appearance. They just announced they are scheduled to tour with Cymbal Eats Guitars in the fall and to open for The Kills at the Bowery Ballroom on CMJ Thursday (10.23).

Songs by Slothrust are included in The Deli’s playlist of Best slacker rock/garage songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

On September 23rd, Austin’s edgy bluegrass quintet Whiskey Shivers will release their third full-length album, a self-titled collection which you can now preorder on iTunes to receive a download of their latest single ‘Free.’ Aiming to “knock the dust off roots music,” the five bandmates came together in 2009 to give some passion and grit to the rockabilly sounds of their predecessors. Their boundless energy and obvious camaraderie has allowed them to carve out their own space in the local live scene, becoming regulars at venues like Antone’s. The band is currently touring the US in support of the album, so keep an eye out for a local show and be sure to catch the forthcoming release. – Jillian Dooley

Sirma, a talented and eclectic musician and singer from Turkey, has experienced the many facets of the music industry, and has found a new home in NYC, where she’s working on her first solo project. Assured and steadfast, in her new EP ‘Instincts’ she continues to experiment within the electronic pop format, bringing an almost spiritual intensity to her songs, and contaminating them with the exotic music influences that run in her blood.

LINK: Read Rebecca Blandon interview with Sirma
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow pop songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

NYC’s Wormburner (a band that has shared the stage with the lines of Violent Femmes and The War on Drugs among others) doesn’t simply play catchy rock’n’roll, they’re also telling a story. Each song by the 5-piece rock outfit has its own narrative, which openly gay front-man Hank Henry explains as stemming from his ability to be someone he’s not, from all the years he spent in the closet.  The band is set to release their third LP ‘Pleasant Living in Planned Communities’ on September 30th via Dive Records, and in support, they’re playing an album release show on September 26th at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan.  Check out their song ‘Today Might Be Our Day’ from the album below.  – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Alt Rock songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

In an entertainment world that seeks to promote one version of the type of music that rap artists are creating today, I still believe in pure hip-hop and creativity. I still believe in the hip-hop artist’s ability to deliver a message in the music. When I first saw Rahiem Supreme’s video for "JL2M," my beliefs became validated. Bringing the focus back to smooth lyrical ability dancing over boom-bap beat, Rahiem Supreme delivers what I’ll call an artistic masterpiece in a sea of artists who are unable to break free of the hold that "trap rap" seems to have on our culture. Captivating visuals full of "real life" moments such as chillin’ in the crib, and conversations with the homies allows Rahiem Supreme to bare his artistic soul in this video. Straying away from cookie-cutter visuals, "JL2M" comes hard with it’s gritty filters, dark lighting, and impeccable transitions between scenes.

Hip-hop thanks you, Rahiem Supreme. I thank you for renewing my faith in music that I love. –Opal Rose