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Led by Long Island-bred songwriter Mike Savino, Tall Tall Trees competently executes a sound influenced by traditional American roots music, incorporating elements of folk and country.  Largely built around meandering banjo lines, the songs of Tall Tall Trees are often upbeat and always melodic; “Bubble Gum” is an especially poppy gem featuring appropriately sweet vocal harmonies.  While “The Ballad of Sallie Mae” may be, lyrically, a ham-handed attempt at tongue-in-cheekiness, its intricate song structure and the integration of fiddle and backcountry percussion make it an interesting and representative track.  The band only stumbles when overproduction becomes an issue; the crisp, bright guitar and drum sounds of “I Got You” hit a little too close to contemporary pop-country radio territory for comfort.  Ultimately, however, Tall Tall Trees successfully captures the rural feeling Savino’s tunes are designed to evoke, which is a laudable feat for a big-city East Coast band to accomplish. The band has a busy December live schedule with shows at Pete's Candy's Store (12.03) Hank's Saloon (12.11) and Union Pool (12.18).

Talk Normal is a NYC band that is gathering more and more recognition. Here at the Deli we have are fascinated by noise and tense atmospheres... enjoy this video, and don't miss their live show at the Music Hall of Wburg on November 24 with Sonic Youth!

Bed-Stuy-based Kagero’s newest record “Japanese Gypsy Rock,” due out November 19, 2009, is appropriately titled for the band’s striking fusion of sounds from around the world. Taking lead on violin, J.W. masters Eastern-inspired fiddle glissandos and double-stops, while bassist/vocalist Rob Simpson adds a salsa swing and klezmer kick. Kaz Fujimoto, defines “Japanese Gypsy Rock:” hailing from Japan, entertaining in a lounge-meets-Bohemian vocal style, and accessorizing each track with flamenco guitar and select Spanish phrases on standout tracks “My Little Bonita,” “1 + 2 Is Almost 5,” “Red and Black,” and “Grappa. Guest musicians, Georgie Markov (drums), Yoed (cello), Wynn Yamami (chindon, aka Japanese drum), and Emilio (trumpet) ably enhance “JGR” in these notable selections. Rooted in uplifting elements from eclectic origins, "Japanese Gypsy Rock" unites Kagero’s musical influences and talents into a cross-culture dance party. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Ivana XL’s music sounds like it’d perfectly complement a Tim Burton landscape, as it conjures shadowy forests, stretching fog fingers and creaking attics in Antebellum mansions. Her breathy, beautiful voice floats atop the complex arrangements like a chilly breeze sneaking into the room through a drafty window. The sparse, almost haunted songs sound like something Joanna Newsom might produce if she spent an entire winter in the house from "The Shining" taking Xanax and staring into the snow-blanketed landscape. Though IvanaXL is essentially just one woman with an acoustic guitar, her music brilliantly defies the tones and tropes so often associated with that set-up. The term "singer-songwriter" couldn't be more misleading than in the case of this promising young Brooklynite. - Read David Schneider interview with Ivana here, and see Ivana live at The Outpost (Clinton Hill) on 11.21.

Although Dead Leaf Echo began as an “art experiment” in Morningside Heights, this band is far from amateur or unpleasantly bizarre. Dead Lead Echo has worked with a cadre of professional mixers such as John Fryer and Ulrich Schnauss to perfect its dreamy post-punk. The band creates a blossoming world where Cocteau Twins and My Blood Valentine influences swirl and mix with Vladimir Nabokov and Ernest Hemingway love letters. Dead Leaf Echo entices listeners with its shimmering guitar work and closes the deal with crashing waves of hypnotic harmonies. If the wait is unbearable for a full-length record, Dead Leaf Echo will be releasing a 7-inch featuring “Half-Truth” and a previously unreleased b-side “Babyeyes” this fall. - read Nancy Chow's interview with the band here.

Dragon Turtle released their debut album "Almanac" last week, and Fader mag liked it so much that they decided to premiere the video of their single "Broken Glass" - see it here. There is also a free mp3 available - which we actually prefer - here. It sounds a little like an ambient version of Dinosaur Jr.!

To promote the release of their upcoming album, "The Shake Go Crazy," the New York foursome has launched a 1-week campaign allowing users to download the single, "Got No Soul," for free. The CD was the result of an entire summer of work with producer Gregory Lattimer (Albert Hammond Jr, Milo and The Fuzz). See the band live at Crash Mansion on 11.19. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Black Gold’s debut release, "Rush," plays to a variety of ears. Besides being pleasantly pop, Brooklynites Eric Ronick (vocals, keyboards) and Than Luu (drums, guitar, percussion, vocals), backed by guitarist Alistair Paxton and bass player Siggy, bring a spectrum of other personal influences and industry experience (each member has toured with well-known pop/rock artists in the past) to the composition table. A richly symphonic “Plans and Reveries” and heavily electronic “Detroit” were selected as “Rush’s” singles. They highlight Ronick’s lounge-meets-lyrical voice which melds with Luu’s falsetto back-vocals, Classical string and piano arrangements, synth sequences, and unchained guitars. Black Gold fall into their best groove on the funky “Breakdown” and alluring “The Comedown,” while glowing harmonies on “Shine,” “Run’s” bright melodies, dreamy air of “Idols,” and Southern sway on “Canyon” sustain “Rush’s” appeal with ever-changing styles. Overall, Black Gold’s “Rush” is mellow but playful, providing both tunes for dancing and songs for decompressing. Don't miss Black Gold's show at Hammertstein Ballroom on 11.22 - Meijin Bruttomesso

Brooklyn welcomes Charlene Kaye, a new artist fresh from Ann Arbor, Michigan! Born in Hawaii and raised in Arizona, Charlene Kaye is a classically trained pianist turned pop songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who gathers all the essential elements of classical and pop to create a lush sonic palette blurring the lines of both worlds. Her independently released debut album, Things I Will Need in the Past, was self-produced and recorded with songwriter, engineer and local legend Jim Roll (Chris Bathgate, Frontier Ruckus, Misty Lyn & the Big Beautiful). The album is a deftly orchestrated work whose varied nature offers the magnitude of a symphony and the modesty of a haiku, any one song just as likely to be adorned by pizzicato strings and gritty guitars as it is by twinkling bells and castanets. Charlene plays her first show with her new band at Bar Matchless in Greenpoint on Tuesday, November 17th with fellow Ann Arbor bands The Dirty Birds and My Dear Disco. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Enfolded in fuzz and strident, distorted guitar, Heavy Birds’ music on “Sounds of the American Underground” also has delicate elements of soft vocals, weeping cello and acoustic guitar that create a dark, intimate atmosphere. The instruments and noise take different forms in songs, as layers build cacophonous complexity or breezy, blissed-out sweetness. Evoking musical similarities alternatively reminiscent of Jesus and the Mary Chain, The Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones, the band still claims its own musical territory with varied song structures and charismatic attitude. Check out Heavy Birds live at Spike Hill in Wburg on 11.20. - Nancy Chow

Class Actress began in Elizabeth Harper's bedroom along with producer/psychoanalyst Mark Richardson and some choice vintage synths (and some mild bondage, we suspect - see picture). The songs quickly grew legs, strutted out of the Greenpoint apartment and now can be seen lighting up all over dark stages. The band pulls from a variety of styles, ranging from the 80's synth pop of Depeche Mode and New Order, the vivaciousness and sexuality of early Madonna, and the bubbly heartbreak of Mazzy Star. Class Actress' debut EP, entitled Journal of Ardency, comes out February 9 on Terrible Records (Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear's new label with Ethan Silverman), available digitally and on 10" vinyl. It also features songs produced by Scott Rosenthal and Jorge Elbrecht of Lansing-Drieden fame. Elizabeth Harper was recently interviewed by Pitchfork Media here - and not so recently by The Deli, here (that was about 2 years ago... yes, Pitchfork dudes: you are LATE!!!)

We were quite surprised yesterday to see Brooklyn band Bear in Heaven jump ahead of Real Estate in our self generated chart of NYC Psych Rock artists with the most "Web Buzz" (Top 300 here, for the Top 20 scroll down in this page, left column). They actually rehed #2 of the overall most buzzed NYC bands of the moment (orange chart on the top left). The band recently got some blog-love (or just "blove" maybe?) from many influencial sites including Stereogum, Prefix Mag and Brooklyn Vegan. Bear in Heaven has a show scheduled at tiny Zebulon in Willimsburg on 11.20 - that will be surely a packed night, so get there early if you are interested in checking out these guys' psychedelic wall of sound.

Once upon a time in the fluorescent wilderness of New York City, four musically talented work-a-holics got together and formed the rock band known as Finding Fiction. With a DIY style and steadfast work ethic, the group has spent most the past year zig-zagging across the U.S. to perform in over 100 shows (including SXSW and NXNE). Finding Fiction also released their first full length CD, “Idaho by the Sea,” this past summer, a heartfelt follow up to their “Plastic & Change” EP. The album is chock full of evocative lyrics set to lonesome vocals, fluttering backbeats, and billowing chord progressions. The result is an emotional storm of melodies, from the distorted rumbles of tracks like “I’ll Buy” and “Imitating You Imitating Me,” to the unbroken pouring of melancholy in ballads such as “Cheap Shot Advice” and “Big Blue Sky.” Don’t miss Finding Fiction when they perform at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn on Nov. 14. – Cecilia Martinez

Exuberant female duo Zambri (comprised by sisters Jessica and Cristi Jo and is The Deli NYC new Artist of the Month thanks to an... exuberant last day of voting yesterday, that allowed them to jump in front of North Highlands. Keep an eye out for their picture on top of our NYC page starting monday, and in the meantime enjoy this video.

Clare and the Reasons, featured on the Cover of The Deli last year, are back with a new album called "Arrow" and a video for the single "All the Wine". Enjoy!

The tune “Rio” on the Vanguard’s MySpace page isn’t a Duran Duran cover, but it’s not unthinkable that this melting pot (two Eastern Europeans, a Virginian, and an Argentinean) of a pop band would try such a thing. That’s not to say the Queens-based quartet makes straight-up synth-pop. In fact, with their chiming guitar leads and emotive vocals, most of their songs play like lost “Joshua Tree” singles. Still, highlights “Slow Down” and “Both Sides,” which features a subtle New Order keyboard riff, are danceable in an ‘80s sort of way. On “Burg,” drummer Luciano Rovner’s tribal thumping offsets the blatant U2 worship of singer Aaron Lloyd Barr and guitarist David Zawadzki, and for a splendid 3:46, you’d swear Bono and the Edge had decamped to South America and made a record about their travels. — Kenneth Partridge

Glass Ghost’s music is like a raging party for the ears. The catchy, unique tunes are derived from a good mix of influences such as Pit Er Pat, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and J Dilla. Featuring Eliot Krimsky and Mike Johnson of the experimental pop band Flying, Glass Ghost inherited pop hooks from its musical lineage while adding fresh hip hop beats to create a captivating blend of genres. Perhaps Glass Ghost’s wide appeal can be attributed to the members’ experiences performing at atypical venues such as clothing stores, community centers and weddings. On “Idol Omens,” the duo invited some of New York’s finest to round out the album, including Sharon Van Etten, Luke Temple and Joan Wasser. The record showcases the band’s flexibility in writing a delectable variety of tempos and styles. In “The Same,” a song about the monotony of routine, the band creates a massive aural feast complete with key-mashing, dramatic organ, horns, funky beats, handclaps, samples, vocal harmonies and Krimsky’s peculiar falsetto conducting the opus. Even when the music is stripped down and pulled back, there are still charming nuances that entice the pickiest of ears. - Read Nancy Chow's interview with the band here.

Butt-shaking and heartbreaking at once, Hank and Cupcakes’ distinctively beat-driven electro-pop bursts with fresh bass hook lines, sexy grooves and remarkably multifaceted vocals. The duo’s new album, “Pleasure Town” has hit potential built around their immediate and straight-forward sound and offers an amazing mix of emotive power and freethinker attitudes, exploding into stirring electro fantasies. Their very own signature can be found in their version of Joy Division’s “She’s Lost Control”, one of the best covers I’ve heard in a long time. Résumé: Go buy this baby! - Read Susi Muhr interview with the band here.

Tonight at The Living Room, folkster Will Knox is celebrating the release of his debut album, The Matador & The Acrobat, and kicking off a two week tour backed by a four piece band, (banjo, violin, upright bass & drums) trucking it as far west as Chicago and far south as Nashville. Knox has supported Art Garfunkel, SleeperStar, Tyrone Wells and Pete Francias (Dispatch) and graced the stages at SummerFest and CMJ festivals. He was also a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition with original music heard on MTV reality.

Brooklyn-based Your 33 Black Angels’ newest release "Pagan Princess,” follow-up to their musical saga, “Tales of My Pop-Rock Love Life,” is set for debut on December 3, 2009. Y33BA plan to celebrate their third album with a show at Mercury Lounge on the release date. Your 33 Black Angels blend a litany of influences; simultaneously bubbly, dissonant, and melodious, these qualities mesh well with the frantic non-conforming distortion that fashions the band’s experimental and edgy take on pop-rock. www.Y33ba.com –Meijin Bruttomesso

The debut album from Hurricane Bells, Tonight Is The Ghost, is out digitally now via Vagrant Records. The band - a new project from Steve Schiltz of Longwave - is also confirmed to headline The Living Room in New York, NY, on December 2nd. The show will be with friends and fellow Brooklyn bands Falcon, Scout, and The Library, with members of all bands guesting in one another's sets throughout the night. This is the video from their first single, "This Year"

He doesn't have a mustache. He doesn't pose for pictures with three other white dudes his age wearing flannel and boots. He doesn't even play guitar. Who is he? - Well, he's Joe Raciti. This is the official music video for "Memories" off of Joe Raciti's album "Romantic Shark Attack". In an oddly-related story, the entire album is available via email, free of charge, to any expecting parent. The reasoning behind this, according to Joe, is to brainwash impressionable young minds with his music. The mad scientist is at it again. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Monogold's new CD "We Animals" showcases the band's evolution from a rather traditional shoegaze sound into something more ambient and "avant". The serene rhythmic percussions, Keith Kelly’s whispering vocals, and the music's mystical qualities have therapeutic powers. The band's new sound also resonates with a certain hippiedom reminiscent of bands like Animal Collective and The Shins; they master the art of creating 5-minute single beat percussion spacey tunes, with interwoven vocals and instruments that vary and evolve through the song. "Dead See Minerals" is a personal favorite from this CD, with its light electronic undertones along with Monogold’s overall woodland creature vibe. This CD is gorgeous, and you can hear it all at their CD release party at Public Assembly on Friday the 13th. - Chloe Schildhause

To highlight the release of their band new debut album HERE IN FILTH, Brooklyn rock outfit ULTRA VIOLENT LIGHTS have launched new music videos for two of the album’s tracks—“In Lieu Of Pay” and “Here In Filth” - here's the latter. The band's entire album is now streaming at the band’s website for a limited time. The band has a series of upcoming show in NJ - see their myspace profile for dates.

For most, the transition from Texas yokel to New York City slicker would be a tad daunting. But not for chanteuse Aerial East. The singer/songwriter has taken big, juicy chomps out of The Big Apple since moving here in 2007, building alliances with fellow musicians and expanding her musical horizons beyond southern lines. East flirts with a blend of folk and indie to generate music that’s soft and innocent. While still budding in her career, East has yet to release any albums but offers several tracks on her MySpace page for curious listeners. With songs such as “Apple Pie” and “I’ll Be Your Friend,” East provides childlike vocals with a sound so saccharin that Pixy Stix dust seems to float from her tongue with each playful lyric. In “Road to Trouble,” East harmonizes with fellow musician Luke Temple to produce a candy cane swirl of melodious flavor that’s just as sweet as it is heartening. Accompany East’s vocals with tender guitar strumming and effortless instrumentals, and you get melodies that are music box worthy. Twirling ballerina not included. – Cecilia Martinez

Deadbeat Darling‘s “Weight of Wandering” mesmerizes listeners with gentle reggae waves, sprinkles of exotic modulation, a dab of Dub, and tinges of electronica, inventively produced by Joseph King (lead vocals/guitar), Mohit Bhansali (guitar/back vocals), Sanjay Jain (bass), and Alex Wong (drums on album). Fusing an enchanting instrumentation with King’s soaring, soothing, and shining vocals that attend to every nuance and touch every emotion, the Brooklyn quartet creates a “zen-rock” experience on their ten-track album. DD, demonstrating that they are hardly deadbeats, bestow upon fans an uplifting but yearning “All These Beautiful Days (Are Wasted on Me),” a sultry and hypnotizing “Pretty Faces,” an ethereal and romantic “St. Christophor Candles,” a melodious and orchestral “Without a Trace,” an angst-ridden and airy “This Paranoia Won’t Subside,” and a poignant and peaceful “Picture Perfect World,” all tracks that highlight the band’s idyllic harmonies. “Weight of Wandering” is heavy with poeticism that is matched by substantial musicality. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Deli Readers,

Because of increasing traffic we recently switched FTP hosts. This has proved to be an extremely challenging experience, primarily because the new server seems to have a problem with many of our website custom applications (poll, live show listings, charts etc.).

Hopefully we'll manage to fix things soon, we are working on solving these issues asap.

In the meantime, thanks for your patience and sorry for the inconvenience.

Paolo De Gregorio
www.thedelimagazine.com

On Thursday, November 12, Pianos will host a release show in honor of Kids Aflame, the full length debut from ARMS. The band is the side project of Todd Goldstein, guitarist for Harlem Shakes, but Goldstein has been plugging away at ARMS since 2004. A listen to the peppy indie pop of the Shakes is not going to clue you in on Goldstein’s solo sound, and this just may be a great thing: a little Beirut, a little Bon Iver, with a dash of M83, ARMS’ unorthodox mixture of sounds (including ukelele!) can recall many an influence, but is really all its own. As ARMS, Goldstein brings his lo-fi, DIY little gem out of the bedroom and onto the stage. Come check him out at Pianos, 11/12, doors at 8 PM. - Loren DiBlasi

In recent years, indie rock has seen a resurgence of the psychedelic sound, and lately the term "psych" is referenced to musical artists just as often as "indie" and "folk". However, sOUSALVES manage to create psychedelic atmospheres that don't belong to any current NYC trend, as they reference instead the genre's original sources directly. A few notes from their new album "eMerGin.See" are enough to throw you into a time warp: these trippy, psyched-out sounds are as raw and rough as MC5 and as intense and energetic as circa 1967 Jim Morrison. Frontman and creator Paul Alves dips into so many genres and influences that it’s impossible to keep track of all of them. What’s most important, though, is that he keeps things emotional, honest, and fresh. - See sOUSALVES live at Local 269 on 11.22. - Loren Diblasi (photo by Ninth Circle Photography)

Jones Street Station will be at The Mercury Lounge this Friday, Nov 6th @ 9pm. They\'ll play old favorites and a bunch of brand new tunes. PLUS with a paid door cover you'll receive a FREE copy of their sophomore record, In Verses. There\'ll be an afterparty in the neighborhood too, so make a night of it... AND you can enter to win free tickets to the show with this giveaway from Earfarm.

Tuesday, November 10th get ready to enjoy that after-work cold one at Rockwood Music Hall with Argyle Johansen (and his fancy band). The set begins at 6pm, and Rockwood is located at 196 Allen St. (between Houston and Stanton),NYC. For the unfamiliar multitudes, Argyle Johansen is a four (occasionally, five) - piece musical outfit based out of Bushwick, Brooklyn. Their debut self-titled (and self-released) album came out in September 2009 and they\'ve been barnstorming in Brooklyn and Manhattan in support since. You may know their song \"Sunny Day in Hell\" (download for free above) from season one of the Showtime series \"Californication.\" Fresh off their first CMJ performance this will be their first time at Rockwood, so come out for some happy hour Argyle Johansen style. More music is available to stream here. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Engaged in various jobs in the film industry to learn about film composition, Emanuel’s work on a project at FOX inspired him to form an orchestra-style band. Emanuel and the Fear, avid fans of The Dessner Brothers, performed first in January 2008 with their band of guitars, drums, bass, violins, flute, cello, trombone, trumpet, piano, and a synthesizer. Now scheduling some small tours around the US, the band credits their wonderful European booking agent and publicists who are designing a tour for early spring when they will release their debut LP in the states. - Read Gina Alioto's interview with Emanuel here.

After releasing early EP's on Australian labels and touring with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Melbourne outfit The Morning After Girls have relocated to NYC to release and tour behind their new record “Alone.” With a digital-only release behind their new album, the band has been playing shows at The Mercury Lounge and The Living Room to warm up for their new tour. Following their earlier releases, The Morning After Girls’ first full length flexes alternative and psychedelic muscles in unison, creating big sonic soundscapes that resonate through an 11-track stomp. A tour to follow will take them across the US with over a month of full dates culminating in California. - read Simon Heggie's interview with the band here.

While the NYC music scene is packed with talented musicians with great ideas, cool hairstyles and tons of attitude - gifted songwriters with truly crazy hair are still (and always will be) extremely rare stuff. There's only one thing you need to know about Darwin Deez: he can write a song that will keep most listeners entertained and glued to the speakers, keeping your hands away from the iPod "forward" button. Plus there’s this bonus: the guy can sing! "Constellation" is a little gem that recalls early Strokes on a diet rich in electronic handclaps and drum machines and short in distortion pedals. Sampled drum sounds are a recurring signature in Darwin's repertoire; the inventive simplicity of his lo-fi electronic pop allows his songwriting to truly shine. His unusually contradictory spectrum of influences (ranging from local little known artists to Michael Jackson and Coldplay) brings a fresh vein of inspiration to Darwin's output, confirming our temptation to define his music as "mainstream pop for selected masses". - See Darwin Deez live at The Bell House on November 21.

Wild Wild Yaks are releaseing their debut CD today on Ernest Jenning Records. The band plays some kind of choral blues punk, which is interesting because the bluesy part of their music gives depth and gravity to the the punky side. The latter on the other hand of course brings the fun element to the equation, while doubling the intoxication level. See Wild Yaks on Nov 13th Starr Space - Bushwick, NY, Nov 20th Shea Stadium - Queens, NY, Nov 28th Hex Fest at The Living Room - Brooklyn, NY. - PDG

Recorded almost entirely in the band members' LES "cozy" bedrooms with the help of a high profile team of audio pros, the thirteen songs on Star Fucking Hipsters' new album "Never Rest In Peace" entartain us with screams and riffs about rebellion and punk and ska revolution! The new songs sound more fierce and mature, and benefit from cameos from Dick Lucas (Subhumans U.K., Citizen Fish, Culture Shock), Jasper Pattison (Citizen Fish, Culture Shock), and Bryan Kienlen (Bouncing Souls). It includes art by famed DIY artists Fly (“PEOPs,” Dog Dayz) and Paul Barron. SFH, after touring the U.S. and U.K., and are kicking off a West Coast Tour this week with Citizen Fish (dubbed "Cracktoberfest") including a performance at the Alternative Tentacles 30th Anniversary Festival.

The Diggs - if we remember correctly - played one of our very first Deli shows at Asterisk Art Space ages ago (4 years?). It's great to see that they are still at it, and admittedly we haven't covered them in awhile. Their sound seems to have evolved considerably in the last few years. We remeber an aggressive, post-punky power trio; we find now a more mature group whose fast songs show more attention for melody and structure, and benefit from arrangments that - like all the best rock classics - progressively build in layers and intensity. Check out these guys live at Glasslands on 11.03.

Bottle Up and Go is a Brooklyn based duo of rock n’ roll screamers who combine honky tonk fiddling, and horn accompaniments that will whisk you away to a seedy bar full of guys spitting tobacco into silver buckets. Their screeching harmony of guitars, horn toots and tambourine talents have created sonic gems such as “Ain’t Going Down,” a ballad well suited for a rock version of the Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. You’ll know you're not in Kansas anymore when you hear their song ‘Wayward Son,” a lament of depression and drinking that features a chaotic sax growling for dear life. Enjoy Bottle Up and Go with a bottle of whiskey and sing a long, “I love my baby/but her body is cold/Seems like my liquor/is the only thing.” - Chloe Schildhause

The beauty of The Barrens' music lies in the little details: the piano accents that hit throughout “12 Petals,” propping up the tune’s winding lead guitar riff; the unexpected, disorienting chord wedged in the middle of the “Ezekiel Saw a Shape” chorus; and the way singer Colin Fitzgerald screams toward the end of “The Green Room,” right before guitarist Mike Koene takes a solo and the already-epic tune spirals further into Doors-esque psychedelic bar-band territory. “Worming,” a bruising track reminiscent of the Who’s “Quadrophenia” gem “I’ve Had Enough,” is the best tune on the band’s MySpace page. Its mean fuzz and memorable hook—“I keep worming/ your love is in the dirt”—combine to form the type of weirdly accessible pop song that is the Barrens’ specialty. The band recently released a new single called “Scoliosis”, another sonic attack that somehow manages to blend punky guitars a la’ Ramones and frozen melodies reminiscent of Clinic with vocal harmonies that would make Kim Deal proud, and “philosophical” melodic openings a la’ early Pink Floyd. Yes, that’s a crazy ride indeed! Don't miss their show at Arlene's Grocery on 11.07. — Kenneth Partridge

Glass Ghost's "Idol Omen" is The Deli's September CD of the Month (see review here, right column). The band is obviously getting some love from the music blogs as yesterday they jumped first to position #12 and then to #5 in our "Web Buzz" NYC rankings (orange charts on the left, click on "Popularity" scroll down menu and click on "Web Buzz".)

Yeasayer - winners of The Deli's Best Emerging Artist of 2007 poll - will re-emerge in early November with "Ambling Alp," the first single off their sophomore record ODD BLOOD (due February 2010 on Secretly Canadian). The single will be released digitally and on a limited 12" vinyl packaged in a space age colored metallic sleeve that will also feature remixes by Memory Tapes and DJ /rupture. You can already downlad "Ambling Alp" FREE at the band's website.

Yesterday, I was in Williamsburg thrift shopping for my Lydia Deetz costume for Halloween. As I gave up on finding frumpy black clothing and a hat with a wide brim, I stumbled upon an in-store performance by Cymbals Eat Guitars at the new SoundFix store. They were one of the many bands I had planned to cover for CMJ but never got around to attending one of their numerous shows. I had seen them earlier in October when they had had opened for the Pains of Being Pure at Heart at Webster Hall. That performance was awe-inspiring. Dripping with sweat (a pool of it had formed around him), frontman Joseph D’Agostino pulled as much as he could out of his guitar; his hands blurred in front of me as his band mates relentlessly attacked their instruments. Although they took a completely different stage for Thursday night’s performance, the raw energy emanated throughout the crowded store. They began with the anthemic “And the Hazy Sea” and followed it up with “Some Trees (Merritt Moon).” The cathartic screams beautifully wove through the solid instrumental skills displayed during their 30-minute set. Exhausted and possibly gravely sick, D’Agostino asked the crowd if they would like one or two more songs. Of course, fans yelled back two, and they happily complied. With their meteoric rise to indie fame, SoundFix may be the last small venue they’ll ever play in New York City. Cymbal Eats Guitar, together with Mistery Roar and Teletextile, will be performing live on 10.31 at a Halloween Party on 14 Steuben Street, Brooklyn (map). - Nancy Chow

Tick tick tick, pop pop pop, snap snap snap. That’s the essential staccato loving formula used by Brooklyn band Polite Sleeper - featuring band members of Mountain Goats and Mercury Rev. Every song is set to a rapid metronome of sound, infusing two beloved music genres - folk and punk. Blending these two contradictory styles is not a novel idea - they say that's what anti-folk is all about - but Polite Sleeper pull it off in addictive songs featuring acoustic guitars, minimal drums, disgruntled lyrics and also the occasional analog synth bassline. Jason’s singing can be theatrical and aggressive (in the calssic not-so-polite anti-folk fashion) but also atmoshperic and contemplative, bringing to mind Michael Stipe's tone and phrasing. The band's new album "Lake Effect" is out on Sabotage Records now. If you’re hanging out in Haverford, Pennsylvania you can catch their next show the eve of Halloween at Lunt Basement. - Chloe Schildhause

Taking definite inspiration from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is the electronic band of splendor, Clinical Trials. So fixated I am on the similarities I can almost hear them singing “Karen O.” in their song ‘Disco Headphones.’ But beyond the similarities, they do strike out in their own unique sound using a surplus of synth, with a blend of other influences such as a tendency to sing with Le Tigre like passion and Janis Joplin edginess. Listening to them is like hearing your good friends in a comfy garage, but friends who are actually talented and whom you don’t have to politely white lie to when they ask how you enjoyed their music. Catch their next show at Lot 73, November 7th. - Chloe Schildhause

The Long Count, part of BAM's 2009 Next Wave Festival, is a song-filled myth about the beginning of time created by three inexhaustibly original artists - brothers Bryce Dessner and Aaron Dessner of The National and visual art phenomenon Matthew Ritchie. It also features as guest vocalists the legendary Breeders' sisters Kim and Kelley Deal, Shara Worden from My Brightest Diamond, and Matt Berninger also of The National. Expect a feast of images, instrumentals, and songs thick with primordial mystery, recreated by a twelve-piece orchestra and the Dessners' gothic mix of electric and orchestral sounds. Don't miss this show, there are only 3 dates (October 28, 30 and 31). Tickets can be purchased here.

No Eye Contact's eclectic influences are evident in their creative and memorable songs. Drawing inspiration in equal parts from Neutral Milk Hotel and old Appalachia, the band's sound resides in the strange space where up and down, happy and sad overlap. 'You and Me and Other Fables', their debut LP, was hailed by NPR's Robin Hilton as "stunning and utterly surprising." Recently named to Spin Magazine's Top 25 Must Hear Artists of CMJ. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Music critics were quick to applaud and praise the harmonious dual vocals of Ryan Dowd and Brian Grosz on the stoner-metal debut of Brooklyn's DOGS OF WINTER, "From Soil To Shale" (Lapdance Academy) - so it comes as little surprise that they've decided to re-invent one of their songs as a dreamy, if dreary, acoustic ballad. While the original recording of "Beneath The Fold" was a churning, thunderous maelstrom of psychedelia, Dogs of Winter have stripped the composition down to acoustic guitars, a string section and the sound of traffic passing by the studio in which they recorded. "Beneath The Fold" is here to remind us: just because a song is heavy, doesn't mean it isn't beautiful. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

An appetizing order opened CMJ 2009 at Arlene’s Grocery last week, with sampling of New York’s finest produce. Mixing seven diverse flavors into a memorable musical meal, the ShWAG BAG Showcase provided CMJ-goers a five-star taste test of NYC’s music scene. Decibel set the pace with their mysterious mélange of melody and megaphone, proving the duo powerful performers and a tough act to follow. Laura Ault, who recently adopted a full band, charmed with her lively lounge lilt. A rowdy riot TAB the Band (in the picture) invigorated the crowd with its kooky demeanor, preparing Arlenes' for Black Taxi who brought the night's excitement to a boil with their contagious hooks and sultry, saucy swank. Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears entertained to the nth degree with their outstanding presence, outrageous energy, and outlandish outfits. The evening's second duo, Peephole, stocked the Grocery with synthesizer blips and bleeps which eventually united the audience for an on stage groove, while Mon Khmer topped off the event with their peaceful flow and exotic savory rock. - Meijin Bruttomesso

Pearl and the Beard - Will Smith Medley from Goddamn Cobras Collectiv

Brooklyn-based band Pearl and the Beard have established themselves as a rambunctious presence in the NYC scene. They're now set to conquer new territories with the national release of their debut album "God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson", a 15 Day East Coast Tour, a live appearance on WNYC's prestigious Soundcheck, a cheeky new video for their Will Smith Cover Medley, and an AOL Spinner New Releases feature. Don't miss their CD release party at Joe's Pub tonight 10.27.

HONKY TONK ANGELS’ residency at Hill Country Barbeque (30 W. 26th Street, New York) continues with a great lineup of neo-traditional country music singer songwriters on Thursday 10.28. Country-rock ingénue William's Daughters kick off the event, with banjo queen Hilary Hawke Trio (in the picture), honky tonk maverick Jamie Lyn & The Red Tail Hawk Band, and The Rosy Nolan Band serving up a night of raucous original American music. HONKY TONK ANGELS provides a stomping ground for women who write cutting edge songs across a variety of sub-genres – classic country, country-rock, alt-country, Americana, bluegrass, western swing, and country-folk. The show curates artists who pay homage to the raw and eclectic soul of American roots music cultivated in the heart of New York City. The monthly songwriter series was chosen as a recommended event on NYCountry.com in August 2009, a December 2008 Voice Choice, A TimeOut Recommended Event, and was named the BrooklynCountry.com “Event of the Month” in June 2008, September 2008, and February 2009. More info here. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Beautiful Small Machines may be based in NYC but they certainly come from outer space. This electro pop duo is composed by the delicious Bree Sharp and her songwriter partner, Don Dilego. The EP Robot in Love offers retro rock while experimenting with a futuristic electronic sound. Bree’s flawless voice ties together the record’s various elements and atmospheres. The band mixes futurism, fantasy, alien, fun and darkness. Sometimes surprisingly soft and vaporous, songs as So long 2 you, are reminiscent of The Postal Service, while the energetic SuperConductor can’t help bringing to mind the punchy touch of The Ting Tings. The adventurous electronic exploration of Servo Manuel 1 on Whiskey is nothing less than an interstellar detour into the depth of space. The somber and hovering Simple Joy (inspired by Bladerunner and featuring... OMG! Simon LeBon from Duran Duran!!!) is the desperate scream of a broken heart. Check out this band, they’ll take you for a walk with robots in outer space.

The spiritual detective in me often tries to unearth the symbolic meaning behind even the most trivial of matters. Call it boredom if you must. So, imagine the ferocious uprising of the analytical receptors in my mind when I heard the band name Midnight Masses. “What is the deal with this band?” I thought. Midnight, with its shadow ridden atmospheres and lonesome feel, conjures thoughts of pain and detachment, while religious masses signify spiritual rebirth and hope. Well, sometimes my mind runs away with me. Sometimes. But certainly not in this case. After the death of his father, front man Autry Fulbright channeled his anguish into the writings and instrumental work that would eventually result in the formation of the Brooklyn collective known as Midnight Masses. With the help of band mates Jason Reece (who is also the guitarist for Trail of Dead), Eric Rodgers, Destiny Montague, Miyuki Furtado and Daniel Wood, the psychedelic rock group has completed their debut EP, “Rapture Ready, I Gazed at the Body,” which is due out on Nov. 10. In the album, washy guitar notes and Fulbright’s wailing vocals drizzle down on haunting lyrics (“It was night, it was day/Demons took my body away/I said, ‘Hold on, I used to be a preacher’s son” from the Preacher’s Son single), soaking each track in melodic darkness. However, musical shades of hope flicker periodically within the EP as upbeat drum rolls and cymbal work, tranquil backup harmonies and enduring verses prove that there’s always light beyond the darkness of life’s tragedies. – Cecilia Martinez

CMJ has finally come to a close. The end of CMJ feels like the last day of camp; the final hurrah, coated with a bit of sadness, before next year’s festivities. I have met some great people, made amazing memories and have been looking forward to an abundance of sleep. Now, it’s time to get back to what is deemed a “normal life.” I spent my last day attending The Deli’s showcases at The Delancey and The Studio at Webster Hall with a brief stop at Fontana’s. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the best five days I’ve had this year.

Less than 12 hours later, I was back at The Delancey for The Deli’s afternoon showcase for Traveling Circle. The trio was one of three bands that won the contest to perform at The Deli’s showcase. The heavy psych rock band projected an impressive sound in the basement. With clear influences from the psychedelic bands of yesteryear, Traveling Circle added calculated touches that appeal to a more modern audience.



At The Delancey’s covered rooftop, Sara Kermanshahi of Natureboy was setting up for her performance. With the abundance of flora planted around the venue, her music resonated well with the soothing atmosphere. Kermanshahi’s compelling vocals shone through the lulling tones of her acoustic guitar. Through her wonderfully crafted songs, she wove a pleasant poignant mood that was difficult to extricate myself from.



Back downstairs, Le Rug, who has a penchant for naming its songs after U.S. presidents, stormed through aggressive, short post-punk songs. Recently signed to Chief Records, the trio is not short of material for a full-length, as they squeezed in the most songs into their set out of all of the bands that played the showcase. The band leapt through a variety of styles and tempos, sparing only a few seconds between songs to announce titles.



Following Emanuel and the Fear, Annie and the Beekeepers performed their charming, heartfelt folk on the rooftop. Vocalist and guitarist Annie Lynch was joined by Ken Woodward on bass and Alexandra Spalding on cello in this intimate setting. Audience members leaned in closer to get swept up in the emotional thrust of the songs laden with passion.



An acquaintance raved about North Highlands earlier in the week, so I listened to the quintet’s MySpace prior to the show, and I was floored. I had to go see the band’s performance at Fontana’s. North Highlands’ music sounds like a cross between Most Serene Republic and Sufjan Stevens, but that comparison doesn’t even do the group justice. The sweet, moving folk chamber pop songs are the musical equivalent to comfort food, something that is desired excessively for its consoling nature. The band’s gorgeous swell of instrumentation seemed to clear the dark overcast and rain that raged outside for the 30-minute set. North Highlands recently finished recording its debut EP, “Sugar Lips,” which will be released in the near future. But for now, several tracks are on its MySpace for your listening pleasure.



Bookended by other great Deli finds, The Protomen, epic rock opera straight out of Nashville, and Rumspringa, a soulful duo from Los Angeles, Mon Khmer brought its entrancing rock to the stage at The Studio. The band has recently won our band of the month poll with its intellectual compositions; the subtle details really make Mon Khmer explosive. For example, the band cleverly utilizes pedal steel, an instrument usually reserved for the country realm, to support its melancholy tone without a hint of a country inflection.



Savoir Adore roughly translates “to know love” in French. This band has been receiving a lot of love since the L Magazine listed this Savoir Adore as one of “8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear” for its catchy pop tunes. Although Deli showcase was actually the group’s third show of the day, the musicians didn’t hold back an ounce of energy. Audience members responded back to this commitment by singing back the lyrics with fervor and moving with such enthusiasm.



Ever since a friend in the chiptune scene called Anamanaguchi “innovators,” I’ve wanted to see them live. Faced with the limitations of 8-bit hardware, the band has produced expansive pop gems full of blips and beeps. They layer bass, guitars and drums over the synthesized sounds of the Nintendo and Game Boy to create their unique, modern songs. The high-energy show was fueled by the audience members dancing to the glitchy, bubbly tunes.

Lindsey called me the next afternoon to check if I was still alive. We both survived – to some extent. We chatted about our respective days and wished that CMJ could extend into next week, even though most of Sunday was spent in our beds to recover from the chaos. Thanks to Lindsey, The Deli, all the bands that played, fans and New York City venues for making this CMJ so much fun!

The final day of the 2009 CMJ Music marathon has finally arrived at a time when I'm both half relieved and also very sad because tomorrow I will have to go back to my day job. I was up and about before my alarm ever went off and was eager to head into the city and absorb as much as I could before things ran out. Since my scheduled showcase at Death By Audio had been cancelled (Ahhh Eden!!) I wanted to catch up to Nancy at the Deli's indie party in the morning that featured the winners of a contest that we held a few weeks ago.

The indie party was in full swing when I arrived to a massive crowd could have very well been Zagat rated best CMJ party to cop a field! Showgoers filtered between the party upstairs and the fully packet, dimly lit basement that featured an extremely diverse and talented group of up and coming artists presented by The Deli Magazine. When coverage switched to my duty I was happy to rise to the occasion. Cale Parks delighted us with a glorious hybrid of Depeche Mode-esque gothed out synthesizes and surrealistic, daydreamy vocal falsettos. Originally formed by lead vocalist/drummer/programmer guru known as Cale. The Parks were enchanting to witness as a passionate Cale twirled his sticks and pounded off an eruption of rattling drums brushed along a solid palette of preprogrammed glitches and samples blown in between. When their keyboardist brought fourth a real bass it added a very raw and groovy Gang of Four vibe. The highly processed guitars served a darker, ethereal purpose blending into the background and even mimicking the keyboards at times. What a rush it was to see this kind of band this early in the day. I'm already blown away!

Next up was a crowded but intimate performance by the Freelance Whales with which whom I anticipate to gain a great deal of notoriety when their upcoming US/Canadian tour kicks off November 9th. Fans of Saddle Creek recording artists such as Bright Eyes will flip for the multi-diverse instrumental glows of xylophones, banjos, guitars and other unidentified noise boxes. The Whales' complicated, well orchestrated toy jingles compliment the soft sing alongs that include all five members of the band. I was excited to learn that this band has built a lot of their reputation by means of word of mouth following as a few lovely lovely ladies explained to me after the show how they became huge fans after stumbling on the band at a Brooklyn loft party. My only qualm was the live aspect was that I wanted the voices to be louder! Freelance Whales diverse and experimental sound puts them on the brink of our burgeoning local scene and hopefully I will have the opportunity to see this band again before they become so well known that even I can’t get tickets.

As the evening wore on I found myself already having reviewed almost all of the bands that were being presented. I was sent in to review 26 shows and actually come out on top with nearly 30. I decided that today I was going to take a step back and let Nancy shine in her moment at the Deli showcase. I instead attended a Todd P show and am covered in bruises to prove it! CMJ has been a wild ride for everyone involved and I look forward to the day off so I can see what all of the other bloggers have been going on about. I know for sure that Pitchfork media has already gotten over the hangover and is ready to get back to ripping on bands that they wish they could be in themselves. Most artists have already shrugged off the harsh reviews and biased opinions of those who do live in the daily grind of our sweet little New York music scene and envy us for doing so. I had already written about all of the local bands playing today so I will not spend too much time reiterating how awesome Sisters and The Screaming Females were last night. For now I need a bit of rest before I can come back soon with a full wrap up of the entire event. Rawwwwk!

My first three days were filled with my primary loves of shoegaze and pop with a dash of Americana, but Friday was what my friend called the “get your dance on” night. On my agenda were some of the most rocking electronic dance acts that I have learned to love for the past year and a half. I put on my dancing shoes and hoped I didn’t collapse on my fourth CMJ night, but little did I know, later in the night, I should have worn my running shoes.

After viewing Boy Crisis’ music video for “Fountain of Youth,” I wasn’t sure what exactly was going to go down at the show. Was there a dress code of tribal-esque garb? Were we going to be forced to eat hot dogs? I didn’t want to indulge in either, but I was willing to take the risk to see them perform their ridiculously catchy, funky electropop. Ironically, they started with “Fountain of Youth” at Santos Party House, and the only atypical thing that occurred was the majority of the crowd was dancing! Lyrics were forgotten here and there, but it was great to hear their songs take a different form in a limited live setting. They introduced their closer, “Dressed to Digress,” as a song about exercise, and then Victor Vazquez proceeded to jump into the crowd to do jumping jacks and crunches.  

Since the Boy Crisis show let out earlier than I expected, I was able to catch two great non-New York bands VEGA and We are Enfant Terrible at the AM Only showcase at The Studio in Webster Hall. By the time Red Wire Black Wire was setting up, the venue had filled out pretty well. Happy to be home after a brief tour, band members were shaking with excitement as their start time drew near. Red Wire Black Wire’s electropop has a pervading sense of melancholy, but the music still gets your body moving. With retro Thriller-esque synths and smooth bass lines, it’s easy to let the heavy lyrical content slide and just dance.

I cut the dance fest short at Webster Hall to get to Pianos for the Acrylics. But when I arrived to the concert room, there was a sheet of paper taped to the entrance that said guest list only and no more badges were being accepted. Crushed but still hopeful, I ran back to Bowery Electric to see Bear Hands. A group of people outside the venue told me, “You don’t want to go in there,” because it was uncomfortably packed. That warning didn’t deter me, but the static line outside did, so I decided to head over to the Mercury Lounge to see Blip Blip Beep (picture above), only to find out that it was sold out. I racked my brain to think if I could remember any other shows that I could attend that night, and then I remembered that Real Estate was scheduled to play some time at The Delancey, so I walked as quickly as I could over there.

Relieved I wasn’t shut out of the TwoSyllable showcase, I placed myself to the side of the stage to see a duo setting up for their performance. The band turned out to be NewVillager, who has completely flew under my radar, and I can safely say that it is my favorite discovery of CMJ so far. The retro electropop inspired me to dance, even though my legs were praying to be out of commission. The frontman glided in and out of falsetto with such ease and the beats were immensely catchy. A weird contraption made of stitched together colorful cloths draped on poles stood behind Ben Bromley and Ross Simonini, which is actually a good visual representation of its sound. These guys piece together a hodgepodge of influences to construct well-conceived dance music. NewVillager sounds like if Yeasayer had a huge dance makeover with its distinctive beats and atmospheric synths. Definitely check the duo out.    

Up next were two bears. Literally, two guys in bear suits – furry heads, the whole shebang – who called themselves Claymation Velociraptor. It was getting a bit late, and I thought I had officially lost it when they started dancing to M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” between sets. The duo reminded me of a not so innocent version of Flight of the Conchords working through an ‘80s phase. Midway through the set, the jig was up, and they removed their costumes while singing “Bad Boys” a cappella. Their songs about partying and summer got the crowd moving, and their banter kept the fans entertained.

Like the Los Angeles band Local Natives, Real Estate is playing enough shows during the festival to have any one that really wants to see them an opportunity to experience their dreamy, lo-fi pop live. Although I did not plan to catch Real Estate this time around, it was a happy accident that I did. By the time they took the stage, it was almost 3 a.m., but neither the enthusiastic fans nor the band showed signs of fatigue. The warm guitars enveloped the small venue and placed the audience in a swaying trance. It was the perfect show to end the hectic evening. After the last note dissolved around 3:30 a.m., I went home to dream about beaches and sun.

While CMJ continues into the weekend, the cold air has returned and the competition becomes even more fierce. Shows seem to be running smoother towards the later of the marathon as bands become more adjusted to the daily CMJ grind and are ready to cut the crap and get down to business. Part of the marathon rules required that Nancy and I had to each spend at least one full day covering shows in Brooklyn. So as the circus in the LES plays on and the bridge and tunnel crowd invade for a weekend of tirade, I was relieved to get to hang out at Bruar Falls where the beer is cheap and home is just a short walk away. Coming to you live from Williamsburg on a Friday night (well kinda) are some of my personal favorite artists that I have had the privilege of reviewing for this years festivities.

First up on the lineup was the three piece Moonmen on the Moon, Man. Still fairly new to the scene, the group started the evening out on a much appreciated loud note for me. The band consists of a male and female guitarist who share in the vocal responsibility as well as one hard hitting drummer. Their blend of fast driven Ramones inspired riffs, catchy hooks and uber loud backing vocals blanketed the room with a net of intensity as everyone began to drink their first beers of the evening. They didn’t seem to play for very long so hopefully next time they will have more songs to rock out to. Stay tuned as Moonmen on the Moon, Man are a great band in the making!

Second up was Knight School who bring to mind a few glorious bands of the nineties such as Dinosaur Jr and Sugar. I have been hearing about this band for awhile now and was pleasantly surprised at how much better they were live as opposed to the recordings that I’ve been listening to. Knight Schools’ sound relies heavily on their incoherent, fuzzy guitars that take a backseat while the bass takes center stage leading the songs in melody. Their drummer resembled one of the Blues Brothers and his upbeat snare made everything cohesive. The room had filled to capacity by the middle of the shoegazey set and though local darlings The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are playing no CMJ shows of their own, their members were on hand to support their friends. Knight School, check them out.

Finally after patiently waiting all night was the act that I was most excited to see for the evening. Beach Fossils combine the influence of some of my favorite artists and I could hardly keep my composure as the bass lines melted into the blend of fuzzy and super jangily guitars. The vocals are wonderfully nasal and they remind me very much of one of my favorite bands ever, The Clean. The band writes songs about subjects that are easy to identify with such as escapism and wishful thinking. The stand up drummer completed the mix that came across like a good old Flying Nun recording with a bright red Manchester cherry on top. Beach Fossils blasted through their set and were undeterred as the guitarist broke two strings during the last song. This show was definitely a high note of my CMJ marathon.

The last band for me at the (mostly local) Bruar Falls showcase was yet another band from Brooklyn who go by the name Air Waves. The trio, led by founder Nicole and accompanied by any rotating cast of musicians, bring forth well structured pop gems and crunchy guitars. Nicole’s vocals are fairly unfeminine (in a good way) and her singing style at times brings to mind Black Francis from the Pixies. The room was fully packed and people crowded the small stage to embellish in the blissful, piercing rhythms. Air Waves paint pictures in my head, tell fragmented, power punk stories and will undoubtedly be sticking around for the long haul.

Though I was sad to go, I promptly left as Air Waves finished to make my way out into the rain and over to the nearby Charleston to see Sisters make up for the cancelled show that I was supposed to be seeing the next afternoon. The two piece Sisters, neither of which are girls, consist of Aaron Pfannebecker who sings and plays guitar and drummer Matt Conboy. Dubbed one of the “Death By Audio” house bands, Sisters music embrace a collage of noise and garage rock. The musty basement at the Charleston was filled with the sounds of distorted, tunneling guitars and drums that cracked like lightning. Aaron switches back and fourth between high pitched screeches and boyish screams with the uncertainty of Steven Malkamus. Drummer Matt put down the sticks in the middle of the set to play a series of melodic keyboard patterns while a synthesized beat grounded the song before he continued his mayhem behind the kit. Sisters were one of the better bands I have seen in the course this entire event. So glad I could make up for the initial lost opportunity!

After a few more beers at a house party in Williamsburg I was ready to head out and get things in order for tomorrow’s big Deli NYC party. It’s been a wild night in Brooklyn and I hope to see everyone out tomorrow for the very last day of the marathon!!!

On the 3rd day of my musical CMJ Odyssey I decided to try to change up my approach for my afternoon and night in Brooklyn. I thought that by staking out one venue I would save up some energy, but after doing so I am possibly more exhausted just by standing around. It’s as if my muscles were yelling at me for being lazy. Lesson learned, muscles. Lesson learned. The marathon continues…

Bruar Falls was faced with the impossible task of squeezing large bands on a small stage for NYCTaper’s afternoon showcase. First up was the monolith of bands: Emanuel and the Fear. Tapped as one of the L Magazine’s “8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear” earlier this year, the group features a spectrum of instruments – from standard rock staples to a string section. They obviously did not fit on the stage, which led to a two-tiered setup that still left some members desiring more space. The 11-piece band filled the small venue with an array of dulcet tones of smart pop tunes with well thought out arrangements.. Emanuel Ayvas revealed that they had just finished recording their full-length, so keep an eye out for it!

A more appropriately sized band, Motel Motel took the stage next. With jittery frontman Eric Engel, the quintet still took advantage of the space in front of the stage as Engel moved to the audience floor for a song.. Their garage Americana is a cross between the alt-country of Ryan Adams and brash, bluesy nature of the Cold War Kids. The show was phenomenal; the band was tight, and the vocals were perfection. Do yourself a favor for future you and see them perform on Friday at the Bell House to earn your bragging rights.

Kittens Ablaze wielded a small string section for their passionate chamber folk rock. The sextet has a flair for drama with their complex structure of sound that can be likened to the Arcade Fire and Ra Ra Riot. Full of energy and fire, they tore through their set with such ferocity; it was impossible not to be drawn into their whirlwind of music and excitement. Catch them on Saturday at Shea Stadium or The Delancey.

I needed a break from Bruar Falls, so I paid a sick friend a visit with a bottle of NyQuil in my hand. It was nice to finally stretch out my locked-up legs. By the time I returned to Bruar Falls, I was ready to see the Spanish Prisoners. The band stored the remnants of summer, which made a brief appearance in the unseasonably warm weather experienced in the afternoon, and lit up the dark room with its sunny, dreamy pop rock. The members displayed their solid musicianship with waves of guitar riffs and great female and male vocal dynamic. �

After I took a food and caffeine fueling break, I migrated to the Charleston to see GunFight! Frontman Drew Mintz howled through a raucous set of punk-tinged country songs filled with hefty guitar riffs. Think Kings of Leon before the hair massacre and sped and turned way up. The show was a good time had by all, as the band members expelled raw, unbridled energy, which sometimes left the Bill Dvorak’s guitar unplugged for a few quick seconds.. After seeing GunFight! I was revived with a second wind, but at that point, I knew I was a bit delirious and headed home to go straight to bed.

By my third day I had already seen so many bands that it took a lot of discipline to keep myself on track at times. I had to keep a very tight schedule and found myself resisting the urge to get caught up schmoozing with old friends, instead focused on finding quiet spots where I could write in peace. Many times I had to politely pass up the loads of free booze going around. After all, someone has to remember what went on at the end of the day. Writing everything down immediately is how this has all come together.. When reviewing a band or artist I want to be able to show my thoughts and emotions as they occurred to me during a live show. With that being said I bring you Thursday, day three of the CMJ Music Marathon.

It would have been easy for me to slip into the early evening blues as there was very little sun out to photosynthesize my energy levels today. It was quite overcast out when my first band of the day started their set at The Rockwood Music Hall. The Shake didn't seem to care either way, they were ready to rock! Fans of the Australian band Jet can appreciate The Shake's garagey, AC/DC inspired sound as they brought back the guitar solo on numerous occasions while the guitarist and bassist harmonized on the vocals. Singer Jon Merkin resembles a young Paul Westerberg and entertained us with charismatic chatter in between songs. The bands catchy hooks, metal shredding climaxes and funky inspired bass lines made it feel like a Friday night! Dare I say they threw in a funky Bee Gee's cover?

Then I was off again and had some time to kill so I dipped into the Brooklyn Vegan party upstairs at Pianos. I was pleasantly surprised that I happened upon New York native Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson who was playing to such a completely packed house that I had to be snobby and push my way up front to catch the action. The drums were shockingly loud and Miles was accompanied by two keyboardists playing synthesized organs with a full backing band as well. Robinson is a multi-instrumentalist and boy wonder with a million different projects under his belt. His musical style spans so many different types of genres that it was really cool to watch those influences switch back and forth. MBAR is scheduled to play Friday at Le Poisson Rouge for the Self Titled Mag Showcase but you better get there early, he’s on at 9:15!

By the time I made it down to Webster Hall for the Musebox Showcase I was ready to see some familiar faces in the crowd as I have many friends who rave about the opener tonight. As I arrived the entire mood of the room changed for those who had just watched the opening hip hop oriented act. The Tony Castles are a three piece from (yet again) Brooklyn who blend quirky, heavily reverberated vocals dressed atop an arsenal of stoner jam-like loops and sampling. The band likes to double-size on the feedback creating a more grizzly, echoed dance effect with beats as catchy as fellow New Yorkers the Rapture. The peace pipe was passed as the crowd relished in the alternate tuning styles that occurred more than a few times in each song. The band mutated their own samples creating a new form of atmosphere and after starting out their set very upbeat, ended on a more subdued note.

Next up on the bill was Bottle Up And Go who could have fooled me if they had said they were from Detroit. The spirit of Motor City was alive and well as they dove into bluesy, crunchy tones, pulsating beats and the bands signature slide guitar sound. The afro-headed singer plays alongside an intense saxophone player instead of a bassist and I want to mention that the drummer for this band was quite incredible to watch. He would get so caught up in it that he had to fight the urge to stand up altogether and by the end of some songs he actually was. The three piece roared through an adrenaline packed set that ended with the shirtless, shoeless singer jumping into the crowd and still managing to keep his white pants clean! Classically done boys.

In the nature of keeping this coverage more underground I ending up accidentally missing the Das Racist set to visit Lana Del Ray who was performing on the opposite end of town at the Canal Room. All eyes were glued on the blonde bombshell as she set foot onstage, and I do mean foot as she was the second singer in a row to perform barefoot. Lana’s music is a maddening eruption of spooky surf rock glued together with a rockabilly vibe. Homemade videos, many of which featured Lana herself, served as a backdrop to Lana and her band during the show and I would love to hear her music set to the tune of a David Lynch flick. Her lyrics come across as sad and tortured at times even though her voice is consistently sugar coated. As I reflect back I am really happy that was able to make this show even though I missed another one. Can’t win them all!

It was a mad dash back to Webster Studio and I could barely believe I made it back in time to find Suckers still early on in their set. Stoner space hippies united to the sounds of whistles and double drums. The song structures build and then change completely just as they are about to peak. Suckers had me feeling like I was riding on a magic carpet and everything was going great until some jerk flew out of the crowd and onto the stage and went after Suckers singer Quinn trying to punch him. He embarrassingly missed hitting the mic instead which DID hit Quinn in the face. The moron then made a brash stage dive knocking into a ton of people before he was put in a head lock and drag outside where I lost sight of the chaos. Suckers continued the song unfazed and the whole crowd sang along to “It Gets Your Body Movin” like it was the national anthem. I highly recommend seeing this band live since hey, they are from Brooklyn and play here regularly, AND... The Deli has been pushing them since 2006!!! Is there anyone know who the hell that crazy dude was? Suckers would like a word with him!

Following Suckers was Gordon Voidwell and since I had only heard of the shenanigans before I had no idea how far out of control things were about to get. When they first started I was wondering why people danced like THAT! Even the bands own dancers were terrible... It was then that in my jaded state of sobriety I realized that bad dancing and cheesy eighties cliches were the whole point here. Gordon Voidwell, who appeared accompanied by his backing band ‘The Bucktown Toasters’, was recently dubbed a “Prince fronted Passion Pit.” This is more than a mere gimmic as Voidwell is a trained vocalist and multi-instrumentalist that started out as a choir singer and now indulges in cheesy rap. What came across to me was some sort of contaminated form of David Byrne, mixing up vocal styles and toying with analog synthesizers and samples. The groups cover of “Heart of Glass” was a smashing success and I felt completely transported back in time by twenty years in just one instant. What an awesome way to wind down the night... sore feet from dancing!

Today’s wrap up comes to you at a time when I'm missing out on some really rad parties, so everyone have another drink for me and I’ll see you in the afternoon! Can’t wait for Friday!

We continue our short interview series with promoters who book some of the best venues in town with Bree Roberts, who currently books the back room at Don Pedro in Bushwick

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?
The part of Bushwick in which we are located (some people incorrectly refer to as 'East Williamsburg') is such a diverse neighbourhood, and Don Pedro really reflects that. In the daytime Don Pedro operates as an Ecuadorian restaurant, and come night transforms into a dive bar music venue showcasing some of the best up and coming local and touring rock, garage, punk and psych bands around. Don Pedro holds dear the spirit of old school NYC venues, where it is genuinely all about the music and giving musicians a chance to be heard whilst having a shit ton of fun. What we lack in polish we make up for in spirit!

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?
I try to book bands that play good music and don't have big attitudes.

What shows (hosted by your venue) are you looking forward to during CMJ week featuring local bands?
Impose Magazine booked the entire CMJ week at Don Pedro and are throwing some amazing parties. Particularly looking forward to Thursday Oct 22nd with The Beets (11pm), Xray Eyeballs (10pm), and Girls At Dawn (9pm, in the picture). Also loving the line-up for Saturday 24th with the official Jelly NYC afterparty featuring Wild Yaks, K-Holes, Golden Triangle, and Crystal Antlers starting at 9pm.

As the record industry is struggling, there seems to be a surge in interest towards live music. Have you noticed this trend at your venue?
I think a lot of people are really getting more into independent music and the whole DIY spirit. With the economy the way it is people can't neccessarily afford to shell out a lot of money for a night out. Our shows are incredibly cheap (sometimes free!) and our drinks aren't pricey. You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a good night out.

Day two of the marathon really felt more like a relay race. Instead of passing a baton, Lindsey and I hugged to pass off our Deli showcase coverage. It’s heartwarming, I know, but teamwork and our love for music are the two essentials that are going to get us through this marathon alive.

Brit and the Calvary kicked off The Deli’s Emerging Women of New York City showcase at The Delancey. Fans of Jenny Lewis should check out Brit Boras’ spellbinding alt-country infused with psychedelic swirls. A small horn section supported Boras, as she commanded the crowd with her robust vocals and guitar and violin skills.

By the time I arrived at the Cake Shop for Kanine Records’ showcase, there were crushed aluminum trash cans and lids strewn across the stage. Although I was extremely curious to know what happened there, I was excited to see The Depreciation Guild, a band comprised of Kurt Feldman of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and twins Anton and Christoph Hochheim. Every time I see them play live, I get lost in the cascading melodies and textured guitars. Their ornate, layered dream pop is enhanced by the Famicom, an overseas version of the beloved Nintendo, giving the songs a sweet, nostalgic edge. The majority of the set was filled with new material off their upcoming album that was recorded over the summer. Definitely keep an ear out for these guys.

On record, ZAZA has this well produced, moody dream pop sound. It’s amazing how their lush sound isn’t lost in a live setting, but a lot of work goes into producing their stellar, detailed shows. Vocals are looped, boards are stuffed with pedals, instruments are swiftly changed and coordination is key. The trio pulled it off and wooed the audience with their intoxicating blend of swaying guitar, beatific bass, carefully utilized effects and heavy drums. Be sure to catch them at our magazine launch party on Saturday.

I headed back to The Delancey to catch Hesta Prynn, who also performs with Spero and Sprout in Northern State. She performed her solo material, which is a collage of electronic pop, indie rock and hip hop. Her new endeavor sounds like a cross between WHY? Goldfrapp and Peaches. Prynn’s experiments with harsh and soft elements kept the crowd on edge, and her energy was infectious as fans nodded along to the great beats.

I ran back to the Cake Shop to see We Are Country Mice, who already won over the crowd by the time I arrived. I had to duck under and evade flailing limbs and gyrating bodies to secure a position to take a few photos. I didn’t get the chance to listen to their music beforehand, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear their rugged alt-country tamed by great vocal harmonies. Although their Kansas and Wisconsin roots are evident with their smooth, gentle song “The Ballad of John,” their approach to alt-country in other songs are a lot more noisy and heavy than the genre typically signifies. Don’t miss them at The Deli’s showcase Saturday afternoon.

With hardly a few hours sleep under my belt, my day took off running on pure adrenaline as I headed down to the lower east side for my first intimate performance of the day.

The scene at Rockwood Music Hall was a warm and comfortable one as people sipped bloody Mary's and drank late afternoon beers. The stage was softly lit and the sun shined bright through from outside into the room. The Madison Square Gardeners must have looked like they were playing inside a fishbowl to the passing tourists, who waved to the crowd inside as they went by in their double decker buses. The volume levels seemed loud for such a small room but no one seemed phased as the band was clearly the focal point of the room, not the bar. The sound could not have been more perfect as the Gardeners were accompanied by a grand piano player as well as a slide guitarist. Led by frontman and local favorite Aaron Lee Tasjan, who also has a really great solo record, the Gardeners flew through a series of catchy alt-country inspired ditties! Tasjan’s charismatic ways bring to mind a young Bruce Springsteen and you will undoubtedly hear much more from the Madison Square Gardeners in the near future - they currently lead The Deli Magazine's ”Artist of the Month” poll!



After the MSG set I drifted around the LES a bit diving into some of the many venues that have turned our local playground into a circus of streets flooded with tour vans and sidewalks littered with bands loading their instruments to and fro. Shortly after testing the waters I was again off to Brooklyn to where Nouvellas were playing a gig at The (new) Knitting Factory. The five piece started out on a strong note led by two high energy, bluesy front-women. Imagine for a moment Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks getting together with Bo Diddley and members of Lynard Skynard. I may have been in Brooklyn but the mood was very much set to the tune of the deep South. Nouvellas ran into some technical difficulties early into their second song but quickly put the pieces back together and entertained me with a solid stage presence, choppy guitars and groovy bass lines that would have made even The Jackson Five proud.

I hardly had a still moment to catch my breath as duty called back to the L train to catch up to my CMJ partner in crime and switch off coverage of our very own Deli NYC Women's Showcase being held at The Delancey. I arrived just in the nick of time as the lovely Ivana XL took the stage solo armed with nothing more than her voice and an incredibly beautiful vintage hollow body guitar. As she began to play an image of a smokey Jessica Rabbit enters my mind and I envision XL in a floor length evening gown draped over a piano in a dark lounge while people sip expensive cocktails. Many of Ivanas songs struck a chord buried deep and connected to my heart. She seemed quite demure as she switched between hushed to loud sounds in a bat of the eye and thanked the crowd immediately after every song. Do hold your breath for what lies in the future to this rising starlet!

It wasn't very long after a break that the evening began to pick up steam with the eclectic duo Buke and Gass taking the stage with a stammering performance that included a divulgence of stomps, claps and slaps. What began as an experimentation has become Buke and Gass' signature sound. They have evolved their traditional instruments into a hybrid of mutated mechanisms such as the Buke, which is a combination of both a bass and also a ukulele. There is no other band quite like them nationally, much less here in NYC. Singer Arone Dyer’s vocal style is as powerful and high pitched as that of Karen O's while her dynamics transcend and reach far beyond any common structural pattern. 

Up next was a new group to me, Hank and the Cupcakes. You could immediately FEEL when the duo hit the stage when front-woman/stand up drummer known as “cupcakes” began to violently play from behind a defenseless drum kit. The singer seemed to summon the soul of PJ Harvey as their funky processed beats and gyrating bass commanded the attention of everyone in the room. A highlight of the Cupcakes’ set was their cover of the Joy Divisions “She’s Lost Control” in which the flickering of lights and absence of a live guitarist added a certain chemistry. At the end of their performance I must admit I had to take a step back. Watch out, she's Rick James bitch!

Finally The Narrative took the stage and concluded my coverage of this evenings Deli showcase just before eleven o' clock. The four piece lead by vocalist/keyboardist Suzie Zeldin played for a packed and seemingly rowdy crowd that now filled the basement of the Delancey to capacity. The Narrative struck me as being very radio friendly with an emphasis on twinkling guitars and catchy pop structures. 

Just as I began to long for my bed and a nice hot shower, reality set in and I realized that I had set myself up to catch one more show of the evening. By this hour I had to crawl over to the Mercury Lounge to see New Jersey local favorites, the Screaming Females. The Females are well known for the intensity of their live performance and the trio came on strong from the opening chord. The room was still pretty packed despite the late night hour and the fast, punk based rhythms served to knock me back into things as The Screaming Females lived up well to their reputation. All in all it was an exhausting but intense day. I have already seen so many talented artists it’s hard to imagine that things are still just warming up. On to a good night's rest!

The Studio at Webster Hall has just turned one - it was laucnhed during last year's CMJ Marathon. We had a chat about this new space with booker Trevor Silmser.

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?

The Studio is within Webster Hall so the building has tons of history. Elvis recorded Hound Dog when it was the RCA Victor Studio in late 50’s and check this out... it’s the first place Bob Dylan recorded harmonica on record. Crazy right!!?? The Studio has a separate recording studio attached to it and our buddy Kirk Yano does all the recordings. Kirk is an old school rock and roll guy but he also worked on all the Public Enemy records. As far as the neighborhood goes, it’s the East Village you know? Freaks and Geeks.

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?

First and foremost it’s quality. Both national touring and local bands. We also have to be looking for bands that draw well. I have found recently that bands do not hustle their own promo in the same way they once did. I think a large majority of bands think a facebook/twitter/myspace post will do it but I honestly believe some hand to hand flyers will never go out of style.

What shows (hosted by your venue) are you looking forward to during CMJ week featuring local bands? (Please specify date and time.)

Honestly, I am excited about every single night, I reached out to companies that I think are doing cool stuff and fortunately they were all down to do shows. Each company curated their own nights. 10/20 we have Stereogum showcase, 10/21 The Syndicate, 10/22 /Musebox and SPIN, 10/23 AM Only, 10/24 is The Deli showcase. See full line ups on our website.

As the record industry is struggling, there seems to be a surge in interest towards live music. Have you noticed this trend at your venue?

Absolutely. That’s why we are recording some of our shows. It’s to give the bands an opportunity to get there music out in a new way that will help them create a little revenue. We offer 50/50 split and artist owns the master. Depending on the artist, some recordings make it into Best Buys.

After receiving the opportunity to be a Deli runner, I was ecstatic! In high school, I read about the well-curated showcases journalist would attend at CMJ, and ever since then, I couldn’t wait to be in New York to experience CMJ. I’m not going to lie; putting together a schedule for CMJ might just be the most grueling part of the process, but Lindsey and Paolo helped alleviate my concerns. The night started later than I anticipated, but all the shows were running behind schedule, so it actually worked out well in the end.

My first stop was at SoundFix, where I saw an in-store performance by Olga Bell. In this intimate setting, fans were sprawled on the floor, while others leaned against displays to listen to the petite singer-songwriter. Two percussionists (Jason Nazary and Gunnar Olsen) and handclaps were recruited to recreate the quirky, exuberant beat-driven electropop. With vocals that conjure up comparisons to Bjork, it’s no wonder Stereogum asked Bell to cover “It’s Oh So Quiet” for its “Enjoyed: A Tribute to Bjork’s ‘Post’” compilation. I became a fan after listening to her EP, but I was absolutely smitten when she brought out a keytar and rocked it for a few tunes.

I hightailed out of SoundFix to see Swimclub at The Rose. The band, comprised of Greg Adams, Kevin Bryant and brothers Gene and Jim Davenport, has sunny pop sensibilities similar to Teenage Fanclub and Julie Ocean with a coat of ‘60s pop rock. Crammed on a small stage, Jim Davenport said he “couldn’t rock hard enough” due to the restricted space, but they did manage to shatter a glass in time with one of their songs. The sweet vocal harmonies and the melodies of Swimclub’s songs stayed with me as I ran out to catch the JMZ to the Lower East Side.

At Fontana’s, I arrived just in time for Cruel Black Dove and its mesmerizing brand of industrial rock. Singer Anastasia Dimou admitted they had not played live in about three months, but they maneuvered the stage like it was their stomping grounds. The saturated stage lights drenched the band in color, while members dedicatedly played their respective instruments to create a dark and alluring mood that arrested the crowd.

Dead Leaf Echo followed with a nice transition into shoegaze bliss. Lit only by a screen projector, the shadowed musicians produced a beautiful, intricate atmosphere that echoes 4AD bands. I regret not being able to see the band’s full set as I immensely enjoy their swooning, gorgeously engineered songs.

My last stop for the night was at Googie’s Lounge to see Erin and Her Cello. Erin Hall has this charming ability to take the banal (i.e., a fleeting subway crush and the need for clean towels) and make a great song with a touch of humor. Backed by a six-piece band, she plucked her cello pizzicato, giving her music a jazzier, cabaret-like sound, as she glided in and out of singing in English and French. The comedic, entertaining show was a great way to unwind after a day of running.

I can’t wait for day two of CMJ! Can you?

Okay everyone. So this is the real deal. CMJ is one of the most widespread and recognized musical events that takes over nearly every bar and venue across our great city for five days in late October. A great deal of hard work and planning (shot out to Nancy Chow and Charlie Brown!) went into narrowing this event down to the artists that we, the Deli, thought to be the most promising among our ever evolving local scene. I am extra excited about this year's lineup and wasted no time picking up my CMJ badge and heading off to see my first showcase of the afternoon.

Thankfully the badge thing went pretty smoothly and it was no time before I hopped on the orange line and headed down to the Poptarts Suck Toasted party at Cakeshop to catch Grooms, whose Saturday Death By Audio showcase I originally planned to see has now been cancelled. The three piece Brooklyn natives took the stage wildly, and immediately set the bar high for those to follow. Despite complications with an unruly cymbal, Grooms’ blend of crunchy smashing guitars, melodic bass lines and utter sonic breakdowns sounded like total bliss to me. It was after all, hardly four o’ clock!

After Grooms had finished tearing shit up I hurried upstairs to catch Will Strattons’ acoustic set that was maybe the one peaceful part of my day. Stratton’s well crafted harmonies felt like sunshine across my face on a chilly day. He hardly seemed a bit peeved as people buzzed threw the room chatting, the reverberations from the show below rattling threw the floor. Stratton was thrilled when a friend delivered a “G” string so he could play his last song on his beautiful twelve string. Okay now I’m ready to rock again!

Next up on the agenda was the Club NME showcase being held at BLVD. However, and now thankfully, this show was running over an hour behind and I stole the opportunity to head over to the nearby Bowery Ballroom to see for myself what this Care Bears On Fire fuss was all about. Barely in their early high school years the band was actually founded when the girls were fifth graders. They have since spent a few years honing their sound and are now a tight trio reminiscent of the Runaways jazzed up with a bit of a Dolls aesthetic. The girls played like seasoned rock veterans with sweet sugar coated vocals and gnarly guitars. They are to be taken seriously!

Just as the Care Bears On Fire were done ruling over the Bowery Ballroom it was time to make my way back to BLVD where I caught the last few songs by three piece Brooklynites, Ultra Violent Lights. This bands fuzzy bass and bouncy soundscapes were a combination of punk and thrash metal that they crowd seemed to be digging.

Up next was the band that I was really excited to finally see. Your Nature are four young dudes from Brooklyn and even though there has been a budding hype about this band, they are still fairly unknown. As Your Nature took the stage it seemed like an entire sea of people had come out of the woodwork (where did you all come from?). Your Nature well exceeded all of my expectations as they played among blue shadows and delivered an intense set of songs that consistently built on top of another. Rarely slowing down, their melodies become increasingly complicated as they summon the depth of early Black Sabbath and the movement and textures of Pink Floyd. There is also a heavy shoegaze and even a dance influence in this band's music. I can hardly wait to see what they’ll do next!

Just as fast as I had gotten comfortable it was time to make a dash to the Panache Booking showcase at Santos Party House to see the hyper tense sounds of Dinowalrus. The Brooklyn based three-some produce meticulously crafted sonic ruptures that can best be linked to the kinds of sounds you would encounter if you were abducted by an alien space craft. The sound quality for this show was one of the best for the day and Dinowalrus left the crowd completely stunned as they ended their set by smashing a tom and hurling it into the crowd. Now I was entertained!

Due to shows not running as expected I was able to backtrack to BLVD to see the second half of the five piece Zambri. I’m going to coin a term and call them electro-BRASH as Zambri is fronted by two dark yet eloquent women with enormous voices. The front-women vocal style had striking similarities to the ones of Chairlift and I say that as a huge compliment. A swell of tension was created as they harmonized vocally and keyboards have an important and dramatic role in their music. Zambri played to a packed house and clearly won over many new fans as they closed to a cheering crowd.

By now I had become a veteran of zipping through the Lower East Side and I made my way back to the aforementioned party at Santos to see yet another buzz band. Golden Triangle were a high energy six piece led by two ladies who both looked like Siouxie Sioux and played ferocious tambourines. It was certainly the most colorful crowd of the evening. At one point a male fan donning a set of halloween rollerblades jumped onstage and broke it down dirty style with members of the band. The crowd was completely out of control by the end of the set and beers were being sprayed about. Mission acheived!

Finally just after midnight I was ready to head downstairs to see the Stalkers who would bring closure to my fun-filled first day. By the time I pushed downstairs the room was super packed and everyone crammed up to the front to rock out. The entire room burst into a frenzy of mismatched hipsters and rockabilly punks as the Stalkers blended old school punk with the gritty sounds of the seventies. The guitar solos went on for miles and the crowd hardly caught their breath in between songs as the Stalkers frontman (also known as “Animal”) tramped around like an ape. The set ended with most of the band members out in the crowd or on the floor.

My first day of CMJ surely ended on a high note. For now, I need sleep! - Lindsey Lawless

Here's a quick Q&A with Skippy from The Bell House.

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?
We feel we've created a very un-New York City, unique, and warm and welcoming space for bands without being gimmicky and in a neighborhood that is completely new and to be discovered. Gowanus is filled with artists and is like a nicer version of Williamsburg circa 1992.

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?
Bands that are youthful, exciting, and most importantly, can bring hundreds of friends and fans.

What shows (hosted by your venue) are you looking forward to during CMJ week featuring local bands?
The Ground Control Touring night (Wednesday) with Pete & The Pirates is going to be awesome as well as the Gothamist (Thursday) & Polyvinyl Records (Friday) showcases...

As the record industry is struggling, there seems to be a surge in the amount of live music available. Have you noticed this trend at your venue?
Not really. It still costs a lot of money to tour and spring and fall are always the busiest seasons. Nothing's changed too dramatically in the last 20 years I don't think, just that bands are becoming better at knowing the live show is an important part of their bottom line.

We had a chat with Josh and Nic from the new Williamsburg live music spot Cameo Gallery.

Can you start by giving a little background on the opening of the venue? What was the original mission of the space?
The goal of Cameo Gallery remains the same as it has been since Day 1, to combine different forms of art to create a unique experience and entertainment.

It seems like a lot of NYC concert lore is based on spaces like the Filmore East in the late '60s, especially CBGB in the '70s and '80s and the Lower East Side in the early 2000s. What do you think is the new legacy of the city's live music scene?
The music scene had developed a whole lot into many different sub cultures/ genres and sub sub cultures/ genres. One main reason is because of the technological developments in the music industry. The Williamsburg scene seems to have a home at lovin cup/cameo similar to those mentioned. We have a style, sound and recording studio all in one room to show it.

(Darwin Deez)

CMJ brings a lot of outsiders to the city. What do you think their impression of your space would be? Do visitors tend to explore the more obscure venues or is there a bias toward Lower Manhattan?
We are in Williamsburg, which is a destination spot for music lovers. When visitors come to NY they often expect innovation and edginess, especially in arts and entertainment. We expect them to be highly satisfied after visiting Cameo. Also, New Yorkers are the hardest people to surprise and please. Cameo Gallery has consistently succeeded at doing this, therefore we believe visitors are in for surprising treat.

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?
Williamsburg is a friendlier and more neigbourhood-like version of Manhattan. You see more familiar faces and recognize people more often. People here tend to naturally be cool without the sense of pretentiousness of people in Manhattan. Cameo has become a destination spot and the ultimate melting pot of Artists and arts lovers. The environment stimulates all types of people to hang out in the same room and yet feel comfortable and wanting to be friendly to others.

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?
We book bands from all genres, which is a tough thing to do as a venue. Quality and creative integrity is the most important thing for us.

What shows are you looking forward to during CMJ week featuring local bands?
Will be working every night at Cameo, this is exciting because many bands I care to see will be here. To name a few: Mon Khmer (9pm) and Darwin Deez (1am) on Oct 20th, Hecuba (TBD) on Oct 22nd, Trouble and Bass DJ party starting Midnight on Oct 23rd, Toro Y Moi (TBD) on Oct 24th.

Every Year during CMJ two courageous Deli writers run what we call the "Deli CMJ Marathon". This "race" implies watching and reviewing in this blog 26 shows by NYC based artists during the 5 CMJ days (26 is the number of miles in a marathon).

This is Nancy's marathon schedule for the week. In bold the artists she will try to cover, in regular font the backup gigs.

(in the photo, Bell)

TUESDAY, 10. 22
7 p.m. – Bell – Soundfix (back up)
8 p.m. – Swimclub – The Rose

8:45 p.m. – The Unsacred Hearts – Pianos

9:15 p.m. – Telltale – Fontana’s (back up)

9:30 p.m. – Higgins – Pianos

10 p.m. – Cruel Black Dove – Fontana’s (back up)

10:15 p.m. – Benji Cossa – Pianos

10:30 p.m. – Dead Leaf Echo – Fontana’s

11 p.m. – The Octagon – Pianos

11:30 p.m. – Erin and her cello – Googie’s Lounge

12:00 a.m. – Pagoda – Pianos

-

(in the picture, Ivana XL)

-
WEDNESDAY, 10. 21
3:45 p.m. – Real Estate – Pianos (back up)
7:30 p.m. - Brit and the Calvary – The Delancey
8:15 p.m. – Ivana XL –The Delancey
9 p.m. – The Depreciation Guild – Cake Shop
9 p.m. – Buke and Gass – The Delancey
9:30 p.m. – Apache Beat – Bowery Poetry Club
9:45 p.m. – Hank and Cupcakes – The Delancey
10:15 p.m. – Suckers – Bowery Poetry Club
10:30 p.m. – The Narrative – The Delancey
11 p.m. – Tiger!Shit!Tiger!Tiger! – Lit Lounge
11 p.m. – Violens – Le Poisson Rouge (back up)
11:15 p.m. – Hesta Prynn – The Delancey

(in the picture, Motel Motel)

THURSDAY, 10. 22

3ish-7 p.m.: Emmanuel and the Fear – Bruar Falls

Motel Motel – Bruar Falls

Kittens Ablaze – Bruar Falls

8:45 p.m. – Spanish Prisoners – Bruar Falls

10:15 p.m. - Exit Music - Cameo Gallery

11 p.m. – GunFight! – Charleston

11 p.m. – Pet Ghost Project – Bruar Falls

-

(in the picture, Red Wire Black Wire)
-

FRIDAY, 10. 23

6 p.m. – Chief – Santos Party House (back up)

8 p.m. – Cymbals Eat Guitars – Le Poisson Rouge (back up)�

9 p.m. – Acrylics – Bowery Electric

9:30 p.m. – The Depreciation Guild – Cake Shop

9:30 p.m. – Boy Crisis – Santos Party House (back up)

10:50 p.m. – Red Wire Black Wire – The Studio at Webster Hall

12 a.m. – Bear Hands – Bowery Electric (back up)

12 a.m. – Acrylics – Pianos

1 a.m. – Blip Blip Beep – Mercury Lounge

(video by Boy Crisis)

-
SATURDAY, 10.24

12:30 p.m. – Soft Black – The Delancey

1 p.m. – Traveling Circle – The Delancey

1:15 p.m. – Nature Boy – The Delancey

1:45 p.m. – Le Rug – The Delancey

3:15 p.m. – We Are Country Mice – The Delancey

4 p.m. – Cale Parks – The Delancey

4:45 p.m. – Freelance Whales – The Delancey

-

Afternoon sometime: Acrylics – Bowery Electric Boy Crisis – Bowery Electric -

-

8:15 p.m. – Mon Khmer – The Studio at Webster Hall

9:45 p.m. – Savoir Adore – The Studio at Webster Hall

10:30 p.m. – ZAZA – The Studio at Webster Hall

11:30 p.m. – Anamanaguchi – The Studio at Webster Hall

12 a.m. – Chopshop – The Delancey (back up)(in the picture, We Are Country Mice)

(in the picture, Golden Triangle)

4:30 Will Stratton @ Cakeshop

7:00 Your Nature @ BLVD

7:00 Care Bears on Fire @ Bowery Ballroom

8:15 Black Swan Green @ The Delancey

8:30 Zambri @ BLVD

9:00-10:00 Kaiser Kartel @ Living Room

9PM Clare and The Reasons @ Mercury Lounge

9:30 Dinowalrus @ Santos*** (Panache booking Showcase)

10:00 Heavy Trash @ Santos

10:00 Black Taxi @ Arlene’s Grocery

11:00-12:00 Jupiter one @ Mercury (touring with Regina Specktor)

12:00 Golden Triangle @ Santos

11:00-11:40 The Octagon @ Piano’s for Serious Bussines Showcase

12:00 Anamanaguchi @ Cameo

12:30 The Stalkers @ Santos Party House

(in the picture, Screaming Females)

-

2:15 Grooms @ Pianos

3:45 Real Estate @ Pianos

4:00 The Madison Square Gardeners @ Rockwood Music Hall

7:00 Beach Fossils @ Santos Party House (Oh My Rockness/ CMJ Event)

7:00 Emilyn Broadsky @ Living Room

7:00 Nouvellas @ The new Knitting Factory

7:30 Brit and the Calvary @ the Delancey

8:15 Ivana XL @ The Delancey

8:15 El May @ Union Hall

9:00 Roulettes @ The Charlesto

9:00 Buke and Gass @ The Delancey

9:45 Hank and Cupcakes @ The Delancey

10:30 The Narrative @ The Delancey

11:15 Hesta Prynn (Northern State) @ The Delancey

12:45 Coyote Eyes @ The Delancey

10:00-11:00 Real Estate at Santos(basement)-Nancy

10PM Bear Hands @ Mercury Lounge (w/ Team Robespierre and Screaming Females)

11PM The Madison Square Gardeners @ Bowery Electric

11:00 Jason Trachtenburg @ Living Room

12:00-1:00 Screaming Females @ Mercury

5PM The Shake @ Rockwood Music Hall
8PM Black Swan Green @ Trash Bar

8:00 Lana Del Ray @ The Canal Room
8:45 TONY CASTLES @ Webster Hall

9:00 The Suckers @ Webster Hall

9:30 Bottle up and Go @ Webster Hall

10:00 Bear Hands @ The Delancey

10:00 BLACK TAXI @ Bowery Electric

10:30 Das Racist @ Webster Studio

11:00 Dinowalrus @ DBA with French Miami and Crystal Antlers

11:00 GunFight! @ The Charleston

11:30 The Suckers @ Webster Studio( I got two answers for times on this one)

12:30 Gordon Voidwell @ Webster Hall

(in the picture, Beach Fossils)

FRIDAY 10/23

7:30 Moonmen on the Moon, Man @ Bruar Falls
8:00 Knight School @ Bruar Falls

9:30 Beach Fossils @ Bruar Falls

10:15 Air Waves @ Bruar Falls

8:00-9:00 Bebe Buell @ Village Underground

8:00-9:00 Hopewell @ Union Pool

9:00 Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson @ Le Poisson Rouge

10:00 Little Girls @ Pianos

10:00 Bear Hands @ Bowery Electric (w/ Rumspringa & Savoir Adore)

11:45 School of 7 Bells @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

1:00 Real Estate @ Delancey

(in the picture, Grooms)

SATURDAY 10/24

2:30 GunFight! @ The Delancey (Deli CMJ Party)

3:00 Grooms @ Death By Audio

4:00 Sisters @ Death By Audio
4:00 Black Taxi @ Rockwood Music Hall

6:30 Air Waves @ Cameo

8:15 Mon Khmer @ Webster DELI party

9:45 Savior Adore @ Webster DELI party

9:00 My Other Friend @ Shea Stadium

9:30 Change the Station @ Matchless

11:00 The Art of Shooting @ Shea Stadium

12:00 Freshkills @ Glsslands
1:00 KAV @ The Bowery Electric

2:00 Spanish Broads @ Glasslands

Here's a Q&A with Jennifer, who books The Living Room on 154 Ludlow Street.

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?
The Living Room has been in this neighborhood for over 11 years and continues to be one of the best places to hear great original music! The neighborhood does get a little zoo-ish on the weekends - but we tend to have a more laid back local crowd. Plus, with our upstairs lounge, Googie's Lounge, we see a nice rotation of new up and comers.

Instead of me babbling about my own club, in terms of being special, here's something from a band (The Click Clack Boom - in the picture) that recently played:

"Jennifer, First of all, let me thank you so very much for having us at The Living Room! We all had such a great time, and everyone inside the club, including the staff, was as sweet as could be! It was honestly the first time that I'd ever played in the city and felt like I wasn't playing in a city at all. The people in the room were there for the music, and not to talk to their friends, because they genuinely loved the music. That's a really hard thing to find in NYC. You've accomplished one hell of a feat in getting that many cool and like-minded people in the same room!"

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?
Booking a club sort of comes down to personal taste. While it's important to fill the room so we can pay our crazy Ludlow St. rent, the music always comes first. If I don't think I could sit through a 45min set of your music, then it doesn't matter HOW many people you can bring. Usually.

What shows (hosted by your venue) are you looking forward to during CMJ week featuring local bands?
We are having 4 early evening Paste magazine parties with 4 performances each afternoon it's are going to be great!!!! Check out local acts: the Fieros 10/20 @ 10pm, Sydney Wayser (pictured) 10/21 @ 8pm, Marcellus Hall 10/22 @ 11pm, Hungry Hungry Ghost 10/23 @ 9pm, Skidmore Fountain 10/24 @ 11pm.

True stalwart of the NYC indie scene, one man show (although often accompanied by trusted friends Higgins) John Biz has alternatively rocked and mellowed us in the past few years, with his extremely multifaceted material. The man has a busy CMJ schedule next week with a full band show @ Brooklyn Bowl on Tuesday 20, and another one at Bruar's Fall in Williamsburg the following day.

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?

There's something about being on the cusp of Tribeca, Chinatown, Soho and Little Italy that creates a microcosmic culture clash. much like new york city in general. it's that mix of cultures that we try to encapsulate in the club.

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?

I guess I look for bands that push a little outside their own comfort zones. That's always where the truly incredible music is made. Whether that's rorschach or washed out.

What shows (hosted by your venue) are you looking forward to during CMJ week featuring local bands?

Locally, I'm looking forward to Dinowalrus @ the Panache Showcase (10/20 - 9.30pm) & Real Estate (in the picture) @ the Oh My Rockness showcase (10/21 - 10pm). Less locally - Aeroplane (10/21), Yes Giantess & Local Natives at the Neon Gold / Chess Club / Greenshoelace.com party (10/23, 8pm and 9pm respectively). It's the night before CMJ but I can't wait to see Washed Out. I'm obssessed by that record. Other bands I want to get out and see are The XX, Drink Up Buttercup, Surfer Blood, Cold Cave & Cale Parks.

As the record industry is struggling, there seems to be a surge in interest towards live music. Have you noticed this trend at your venue?

I think the live industry is actually shrinking a little. everyone chased after money when the record sales dried up and over-saturated the market. It feels like the last 6 months have seen the industry re-adjust and become more realistic about how much money people actually have and what they're willing to spend it on. It's constantly changing but I think at the moment everybody in the industry, from bands to booking agents to venues are working together to make the right decisions and make every night out worthwhile for the concert goer.

After lending her talents to several tribute albums for bands such as The Cure and The Pixies, artist Julie Peel has stepped out on her own with the release of her first full length album of original work, “Near the Sun.” The self taught musician plays the part of vocalist, guitarist, recorder, mixer and producer for her indie pop musical creation - a cozy collection of unprocessed nostalgic noise that tugs on the emotions. The artist’s personal influences to the likes of Joni Mitchell and Cat Power echo within her harmonies. But Peel adds a feathery touch that’s all her own. Anchored by a low fi hiss, the ballads layer aching vocals with consoling guitar notes for music that’s like balm for a torn heart. The use of the harmonica, ukulele, banjo, glockenspiel and kazoo adds to the “no place like home” ambiance of Peel’s melodies. Her music in a word: velvety.- Experience Peel’s soothing sound at Bar 4 in Brooklyn on Nov. 11. - Cecilia Martinez

Enter the whimsical realm of The Freelance Whales, where sweet harmonies and gentle instrumentals travel through time and trigger memories of pure childhood innocence. A little over six months in the making, the band has established a signature sound that is musically magical. The five member group from New York utilizes a collection of rustic instruments - guitars, banjo, harmonium, several synths, cello, glockenspiel, drums and bass - to create light, sugar coated melodies. The Freelance Whales prove that uncomplicated note arrangements can sound deeply complex when played in harmonic unison. In their debut record, “Weathervanes,” lighthearted, repetitive instrumental notes lay the foundation of each track. Tambourines and xylophones accentuate the melodies, creating a sound best described as eclectic simplicity. An arrangement of gentle voices melt within playful lyrics, creating lyrical lullabies that soothe the soul. The Freelance Whales will take you on a musical journey of wonderment, full of choral cheer and mellow highs and lows. Enjoy the trip. - See them live at The Dleancey on 10.24 (CMJ-ers should RSVP here) - Cecilia Martinez

Anyone up for a second helping of Warrant’s “Cherry Pie?” That’s not exactly what Social Hero serves up, mind you—this is no ironic hair-metal pose—but insofar as the quintet mixes fat riffs with libidinous lyrics, its music recalls the simple pleasures of rock’s pre-grunge era. On “Evening Gown,” the best of the group’s MySpace offerings, singer David Lloyd dreams of tearing through the titular garment, while “Mosquito Attack,” a nod to ‘80s Aerosmith, finds the front man poised to spend a night nibbling on his special lady’s face. Lest anyone think the band is only inspired by schlock, “Keep Telling Yourself” reveals an affinity for Queen and ‘70s power pop—influences always deserving of the revivalist treatment. See Social Hero live at the Village Underground (130 W 3rd St, NY) — Kenneth Partridge

We continue our series focused on NYC venues with The Bowery Electric, a recent addiction to Manhattan's East Village.

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?

Obviously having our doors just a half block from the now closed but legendary CBGB's keeps NY rock'n roll alive on the Bowery, where it all kind of began. We see the Bowery Electric's music venue as the continuation of the live rock'n roll music scene downtown. Our place is fairly new and the decor really comfortable. Our venue is intimate and great for singer/songwriters and yet it's a great room for real rock bands. The neighborhood still maintains the undercurrents of a rock'n roll attitude in and around the cracks and seams of the sidewalks and buildings and fences, even under it's semi-posh sheath.

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?

Great musicans with great songs. We recently had Wolfmother, Leah Siegel, Heavy Trash, and Zee Avi perform. Spectacular artists!

What shows (hosted by your venue) are you looking forward to during CMJ week featuring local bands?

Shayne Rae's Electric Truckstop (a great monthly night she does here) with the Madison Square Gardeners (in the picture), Submarine Bells, The Apple Brothers and others. This will be unique (starts at 6pm) as well as the incredible day of U.K. bands and DJ's we have booked on Saturday Oct. 24th beginning at 2pm and running through to 4am. We also have some secret unannnounced parties schedule here that we'd like to tell you about, but can't just yet! Go to our website or Myspace page for the CMJ line-up.

As the record industry is struggling, there seems to be a surge in interest towards live music. Have you noticed this trend at your venue?

Live music will always survive because it brings people together who share a common interest in music and song. As long as there are artists creating great songs and performances, there will be people coming out to see them, if prices are kept affordable! We are charging $3.00 per person the entire week of CMJ unless you have a badge... that's a steal for the number of great rock bands one can see in a night here. And our drink prices are reasonable and happy hour prices under $5.

Echostream arrives in New York via London, where founders Ryoko and Tony met in the late ‘90s while attending the Royal Academy of Music. The duo has since added three sidemen, released two albums, and cultivated a deceptively delicate ambient sound — one that’s alternately paper-crane thin and steel-crane sturdy. Whereas the tunes “Dragon” and “One Last Cigarette” benefit from spaciousness, their minimal electronic blips and ice-pick instrumentation blowing a chilly breeze behind Ryoko’s ghostly vocals, “Way Forward” and “What Are You?” flip the quiet-loud lever back in the other direction. On those tracks, distorted guitars break the calm, relieving the tension so central to this quintet’s appeal. - Echostream has built a loyal fanbase in the electronic NYC circuit, check them out at The Studio (Webster Hall) on Monday October 19. — Kenneth Partridge

Cavalier Rose’s music could be the missing link between The Cowboy Junkies and Portishead. Dark country elements - led by Heather Christian’ edgy soprano (full of southern vibe) marries the slow tempos and the sparse spaces drawn by the band’s rhythm section. Guitar, electric pianos and the occasional conga create intriguingly soft textural arrangements. We had a quick conversation with the founders of this promising new project. - read Susi Muhr Q&A with the band here.

Leah Siegel can definitely be filed under "Raw Talent." Her voice alone would be enough to raise eyebrows, but Siegel has worked hard on her music from all angles: unique fretwork, alternate tunings, thoughtful lyrics, well-crafted recordings and live dynamic performances have all helped her drum up a local following over the past several years. While many Buckley/Radiohead-influenced singer/songwriters tend to place histrionics over craft, Siegel weaves melodic runs that are carefully constructed and ultimately moving. When she isn’t lamenting, she’s also got a sense of humor compositions like “Pin Down” (an old lover is equated with a squashed spider) showcase a Tin Pan Alley level of sophistication that illicit laughter or sadness time and time again. - read Ben Krieger's interview with Leah here.

Emerging NYC bands and artists,

This is an opportunity from The Deli to get to know you better and to get some coverage in our website.

Once again, during the CMJ week The Deli will unleash 2 Deli Marathon Runners on the streets of NYC, armed with the mission to report about all the most exciting emerging local artists and bands playing during the CMJ fest.

This year Nancy and Lindsey have offered to take this Herculean task on their shoulders. Their sole purpose in life - for those 5 days - will be to attend 26 shows each (the number of miles in a marathon) by NYC artists, and report about them on this blog.

Some of these shows will be selected from the list of bands and artists that will contact them from now until October 16.

Therefore any NYC band or solo artist playing an official or unofficial CMJ show interested in being covered should contact ONE (and only one) of our marathon runners to try and persuade her to go to see their live show.

To do so please leave a message using the comment feature under their profiles posted under here. Nancy and Lindsey will choose which artists they will try to see perform live (we say try because anything can happen during CMJ because of delays, sold out shows and cancellations).

Don't forget to specify your website or myspace address in the comment! Nancy and Lindsey will compile the list of their marathon itinerary a few days before the CMJ Festival.

Thanks and Good luck!

The Deli Staff
(image by Bryan Bruchman)

My name is Nancy and I love music that is influenced by color, art and design. I enjoy seeing bands that are able to take those influences and artfully direct them in a live setting. In terms of genres, I like listening to shoegaze, twee pop, dance rock, post-punk, dream pop, folk pop, alt-country and electropop.. I am a sucker for catchy pop songs loaded with memorable hooks, especially if handclaps and strings are involved.

I had trouble writing the rest of this entry, so I asked a friend what she thought I listened to. She answered, “Emo boys with tight pants and bangs and guitar!” Make whatever you want out of that, but you should probably take it with a grain of salt.

If you want me to attend to your live show please leave a comment in the comment section of this entry (green link) with a link to your music + date, time and location of your band's CMJ performance. I'll let you know if I can make it soon.

Nancy

Howdy y’all! My name is Lindsey and first off I’d like to say I like it LOUD! No really really loud! I want to hear records that take me on a journey of emotional highs and lows... I’m interested in music that makes me feel something. My favorite genres consist of garagey rock sounds, sweet sixties soul, two step honky tonk, poppin’ POST punk, jammin’ psych stoner stuff and shit that makes people dance dirty. I dig bands with more than one drummer, the continuity of albums produced by Roy Thomas Baker and musicians who prefer Death By Audio pedals. I think The Clean are the most under-rated group and I have a soft spot for ballsy female singers. My favorite song with a xylophone is "Under my Thumb" by the Stones. I would like to see more psych rock and shoegaze groups and also bands who have a strong stage presence. I wanna be entertained damn it! You must also know the answer to the following question... Who would win in a fight between Lemmy and God?

If you want me to attend to your live show please leave a comment in the comment section of this entry (green link) with a link to your music + date, time and location of your band's CMJ performance. I'll let you know if I can make it soon!

Lindsey

Hey there, we just got back from Winnipeg where we filmed this video! Long long time no talk.... We are a NYC band called Flying Machines , and we have a debut album out on M17/EMI, tell me what you think of the video, and CLICK the HEAR MORE link to listen to the entire new album free ! Keep OCTOBER 22nd free for our big CMJ DEBUT detailed here - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Can you start by giving a little background on the opening of the venue? What was the original mission of the space?
Two idealistic classical musicians decided they wanted to open up a venue that is more than just four walls and a sound system. A place where the lines between "popular" and "high" art forms are blurred.
We don't like to refer to ourselves as a music venue, we're so much more: literary readings, burlesque and cabaret shows, a fully functioning fine art gallery and of course we host performances in genres as varied as classical, jazz, world, indie rock, dance and everything in between. In short: we're a multi-disciplinary cultural center that knows how to throw a damn good party as well.

It seems like a lot of NYC concert lore is based on spaces like the Filmore East in the late '60s, especially CBGB in the '70s and '80s and the Lower East Side in the early 2000s. What do you think is the new legacy of the city's live music scene?
There has always been so much segregation with the diverse musical styles of the past. Punk Clubs, Jazz Clubs, Indie Rock Clubs, etc. I feel like these worlds are coming together in a way that has never happened before. People seem to be searching for a space that reflects the diversity of their own breadth of musical taste. I believe our venue and other establishments that embrace that will be where the scene is.


CMJ brings a lot of outsiders to the city. What do you think their impression of your space would be? Do visitors tend to explore the more obscure venues or is there a bias toward Lower Manhattan?
We have an amazing sound system - designed by John Storyk, who's first project was Electric Lady studios for Jimi Hendrix - which truly enhances the concert-going experience. Because CMJ tends to favor downtown venues, Lower Manhattan does get the bulk of visitors. Our historical significance can't be underplayed here, though. We're right in the middle of historic Greenwich Village one of the main spots where live music continually reinvents itself with the scene.

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?
History. We're occupying the old village gate space. Check this out, go to 3'45". Allen Ginsburg, Andy Warhol, listening to the Velvet Undgerground in our space, need I say more?

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?
Diversity and artistry.

As the record industry is struggling, there seems to be a surge in the amount of live music available. Have you noticed this trend at your venue?
We've only been around for a little over a year. I'd say that there's plenty of competition for good acts, but that's good for the scene.

Le Poisson Rouge will host CMJ performances by Violens, Ninjasonic, Warpaint, Twi the Humble Feather, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, Cymbals Eat Guitars, and Holly Miranda among others. See the full calendar here.

This new video by Orba Squara was made from combining thousands of photos from a 10-day bus run from NYC through Nashville, Austin, AZ, Vegas, Northern Cailifornia, ending in Portland, OR. It could be an ad for The Deli's US branches! The band will perform at 2 free CMJ shows: 10.23 at The Knitting Factory (Williamsburg) at (2pm), and October 24 The Living Room (154 Ludlow St). Set time 10pm.

Among Americana bands, there’s a tendency to cartoon it up and play the whole hard-livin’, whiskey-and-heartache thing for maximum tragicomic effect. The Felice Brothers, god bless ‘em, do this better than anyone, and their wacked-out tales of double-crossing crooks and murderers are as entertaining as they are contrived. Sometimes, though, those of us who fancy flannel and twang demand something a little subtler, and that’s where a band like Bel Air comes in. The Brooklyn quintet is not without its aw-shucks affectations, but such tunes as “Into the Sea” and “This City pt. 2,” both featured on the group’s MySpace page, ring with a certain muted authenticity. With its rolling acoustic guitars, mournful pedal steel, hobo harmonica, and unsettling organs, the group offers a modern take on classic influences. The songs tend to be more Counting Crows than Old Crow Medicine Show, but the pendulum swings between those poles. Especially good are those tunes sung by Allie Langerak, whose Natalie Merchant-like wail gives standout “Sometimes” its emotional heft. Check out their CMJ live showcase at the Alphabet Lounge on 10.21 — Kenneth Partridge

Today we start a series of short Q&As with NYC promoters, linked to the feature you can all find in our 20th print issue, which just hit the streets of NYC. First venue on our list is The Cake Shop - here are the thoughts of co-owner/promoter Andy Bodor.

What do you see as special about your venue and neighborhood?

I see us an indie oasis in a sea of overpriced shoes & bottle service-reliant 'other people'. Though its drastically changed in even the 4 years we’ve been here, I still believe lower east side is vital and alive with ideas. If anything, being in this environment can only make you stronger mentally and constantly inspired, somehow. At this point, since a majority of our clientele lives in Williamsburg, I enjoy curating a place for them to field trip to as well, so in a way that makes us pretty iconoclast, save for a few likeminded neighbors, to other businesses in our four block radius…

What do you look for when it comes to booking bands?

Equal parts quality in the music and their live show. They have to mean it. They just have to be something worthwhile, not looking for retread or copycat bands, I just ask for something awesome to watch live, worth looking at and drinking a beer to.

What shows (hosted by your venue) are you looking forward to during CMJ week featuringlocal bands?

Not local, but my excitement has waned a bit this week after hearing two of the bands I really love and work with right now were supposed to come to CMJ this year and had to cancel sorta last minute due to recession, Dog Day from Halifax and Kirsten Ketsjer from Denmark.
But I like lots and lots of stuff. The Kanine showcase looks great and the Chouette Terrorbird day shows are always a riot all filled with great locals we love. It’ll be cool to see Antlers (3pm, pop tarts suck toasted showcase Tuesday 10/20) here post blow up, they’ve played here for three people. Dum Dum girls will be local in a month and are gonna tear it up this year.  (friday 10/23  afterparty)

As the record industry is struggling, there seems to be a surge in  interest towards live music. Have you noticed this trend at your venue?

Absolutely, but also not really, that could be some industry panic talk. I’ve always tried to book good live bands to prove that point before it became a reality, which it kinda seems like it is. A good live band is much better than a dead piece of plastic shoved into a harddrive. Live music and then buying the vinyl almost as a souvenir is the way I like to do it.

Recent college grad Will Stratton knows a thing or two about pulling at heart- strings. It took him three years to complete his second album, No Wonder, which is being released on November 3rd, but the result is something that was worth the wait: a meaningful records. Each song is delicate and radiates sincerity and familiarity while exploring Stratton’s intimate songwriting and minimal arrangements. The album is nostalgic and thought provoking, and ultimately is like a memory that you want to make your own. Be sure to check him out at the Pop Tarts Suck Toasted CMJ party at Cake Shop on October 20th. - Jannifer Pearce

The name of New York sextet, Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears, is a suitable sobriquet for the band’s sound, fashioned from frighteningly fast-tempos, shredding guitars, and tearful, yet amped-up, vocals. “Mad Valentines,” the group’s recent EP, possesses the qualities of a rock opera on fast forward. Such glam, power-pop style borders on frantic, exemplified by “Andromeda’s Eyes” with its non-stop pounding piano and pressing pace. “(It’s A) Gambler’s Wind” takes the EP down a notch, but not by much, to a smooth, dramatic disco with a lively lilt. Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears then jump back into intense theatricality on the playful, British invasion-inspired “The Gardener Eleanor” and ragtime-meets-pop “Maria St. Claire.” Winding up a finale, the whimsical “Bye Bye Babylon” and epic, guitar-ridden “The Red Umbrella” pack the final punches into “Mad Valentines.” Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears’ urgently upbeat vitality is bound to lift listeners’ spirits and bring them to their feet for an ovation. Don't miss the band's CD release party at 92YTribeca on 10.10 – Meijin Bruttomesso

State Capital Records is having a record release party at Bruar Falls this Saturday for "Field Recordings" w/ performances starting at 8 by Dinosaur Feathers, pow wow!, Reina Del Camino, Lame Drivers (in the picture) + Clean Equations. "Field Recordings" is an LP only release with new exclusive tracks from the Vivian Girls, A Place To Bury Strangers, The Beets, pow wow!, Dinosaur Feathers, Knight School + more. 16 tracks in all. The record will be released officially on October 12 on statecapitalrecords.com, and will be available at record stores throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan soon after. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Deli readers,

We are currently moving The Deli's website to a new server. This might cause some pages and/or functions not to display or work properly. We apologize for the inconvenience, everything should be back in order by the end of the day.

The Deli Staff

From the frosty tipped mountains of Upstate New York to the bustling brownstones of Brooklyn, songstress Annie Crane is a country gal at heart with an inner city attitude. Calling upon her experiences in both worlds, the Brooklyn bumpkin’s melodies provide musical nourishment for the soul - a warm blend of rustic folk that’s peppered with modern sensibilities. Both a singer and a songwriter, Crane creates a snapshot in time with the poetic words she scribes. As Crane lures the listener into a scene from one of her distant memories, the folk darling’s enchanting voice acts as the tour guide for the tuneful journey. Crane also provides instrumental backup for her harmonies. The tender strumming of simple notes on her acoustic guitar provides light and airy accents to thought provoking lyrics. With two releases under her white d-ring belt, a self titled EP in 2007 and “Through the Farmlands & the Cities” in 2009, Crane has gained a modest following and has been compared to such artists as Neko Case and Lucinda Williams. Currently on tour throughout the United States, Crane will return to the Big Apple on Nov. 3 to bring her modern folk stylings to The Sidewalk Café. - Cecilia Martinez

On October 2, 2009, as part of the M.E.A.N.Y Fest 2009 showdown, New York duo, decibel., did a doozy on The Delancey. Although only a pair, Josh Weinstein (vocals/guitar/effects) and Woody Moseley (drums) produced the resonance of five. Weinstein’s standout vocals and darkly melodic acoustic guitar channeled the soulful and gritty sides of blues and grunge while Moseley’s elaborate and shifting rhythms kept listeners on their toes and sustained decibel.’s transfixing unpredictability. Adept at inventive multi-tasking, Weinstein alternated between microphone and megaphone, while singing and beat-boxing, mixed in loops and distortion via foot pedals, and added percussion on a --floor tom (A sweatshirt slung over the drum served as a mute.) for the aggressive “F*ck Off,” ominous “Be My Husband” (by Nina Simone), folky “She Talks About Love,” turbulent “(Bring On the White Noise),” and enigmatic “Rats.” Decibel.'s delivery of raw emotion through an authentic but atypical style will surely place the duet in the noteworthy when the band performs at CMJ and beyond. - Meijin Bruttomesso

In Kittens Ablaze's exuberant musical hodgepodge you will be likely to find The Clash's punk attitude, Pavement's impossible melodies, Syd Barret's mad songwriting plus an awful amount of other unexpected elements, ranging from string sections to electronic blips. The band - whose high energy live shows are getting some buzz in town - is going to have a busy month, with 4 CMJ shows already scheduled and a performance at the Bowery Ballroom on October 7.

Lo fi indie pop collective Beat Radio recently completed their second LP and made it available as a free download here. The album is also available as a limited addition cd for $10. The band will celebrate the CD release party on October 10 at Glasslands for with Sean Bones, ECHOecho, Right On Dynamite, and Speech Debelle. (photo by Bryan Bruchman)

The lazy music journalist moniker “psychedelic” has stuck to Amazing Baby since the band put posted two songs on MySpace in early 2008. Amazing Baby is much more than the druggie hippie stereotype that has been painted on them. This being said, I did play their music to a group of stoned kids who really enjoyed it.
What started as a flippant recording project between Will Roan, guitarist Simon O’Connor and drummer Will Berman (who now plays for MGMT) quickly became a legitimate musical endeavor and MySpace phenomenon. Roan and O’Connor, the core founders of Amazing Baby, picked up friends and friends of friends to join them, and Amazing Baby became what it is today. Joining O’Connor and Roan is Matt Abeysekera, Don Devore and Doc Laaxo.
Their four song EP, “Infinite Fucking Cross,” was just a light Costco free-sample of what was to come. The band’s latest album, “Rewild” is a satisfactory compilation of heavy rock, addictive narwhal dreamscapes, and majestic tunes destined to be anthems of the year. - read Chloe Schildhause's interview with the band here.

Lowry does not look for acceptance into any clique. The Brooklyn-based quintet has yet to play any of the major music marathons, and you probably won't find them at next week's Pitchfork party. Their songs are too long for Top 40, and their hooks are too catchy to be considered experimental. Instead, you will likely find them on the road, building their audience fan by fan in clubs and theaters around the country, performing at festivals such as last summer’s All Points West, and playing the unofficial parties surrounding CMJ and SXSW. For Lowry, it is about the journey. Theirs is the music of experience. The band has grown intimate with both sides of the broken heart, and has learned to articulate the beauty in loss, the power of solitude, and the struggle for optimism. The resulting melodies seem familiar, like a feeling that has always been there. As the band prepares to record its next album, I spoke with frontman Alex Lowry about dead ends, curves, and roadkill. - See Lowry at Spike Hill on 10.16 at Spike Hill - Read Debra D’Agostino's interview with Lowry here.

The man who gave birth to one of the most original NYC indie bands of the last 20 years - Soul Coughing - is back with a new album released on ATO Records. Mike Doughty admits that "Sad Man Happy Man" is a reaction to his fans’ reaction and that he’s giving the people what they want. “The songs on Sad Man are more arcane and convoluted songwriting-wise, though they’re sparer in terms of instrumentation. Mike Dought plays in NYC on 10.31 at Les Poisson Rouge.