A band with a name like GURUS, that claims to be "singing about a cult and at times resembling one," certainly creates musical expectations that go against the current indie rock trends, centered on the slacking antics of punk, garage and 90s’ revival. Listening to their debut album Unconditional Surrender, expectations are met: GURUS' sound is controlled, mostly electronic, somewhat ascetic, recalling the semi-dark pop sobriety of bands like Depeche Mode and Talk Talk.  In their single "Believers" (streaming below), the band sticks to its promises, bluntly singing about the belief of being different from other humans in an intense (and rather convincing) fashion. The heavy percussive elements (present throughout the record) add a tribal quality to the song that further expand its exoteric overtones. For what is guaranteed to be an interesting experience, check them out at Union Pool on June 22th as they join WILD ARROWS. - Madeleine Grossman

Brooklyn B Boys came seemingly out of nowhere in March 2016 with debut EP 'No Worry No Mind' (on cult local label Captured Tracks). The album caught immediately a lot of attention (certainly ours) also thanks to the promotion the band received from touring with Parquet Courts soon after the release. The three gentlemen would have found themselves at home in Ohio around 1977, when seminal bands like Devo and Pere Ubu were making music so cool that semi-forgotten by God places like Akron and Cleveland became suddenly the epicenter of the rock'n'roll world. B Boys blend those influences with a sound that flirts with the reverberations of surf music and the gritty fuzziness of garage rock. In line with the DIY scene's ethos and budget, the band's guitarist Britton Walker has a few, trusted, mostly borrowed pieces of gear, we asked him a few questions about them in our blog Delicious Audio (link below). Check out their second official single 'Seagulls' below.

Q&A with B Boys about guitar pedals

The result of the latest collaboration between Dana Falconberry and her band Medicine Bow is the folksy album From the Forest Came the Fire (Modern Outsider), in which Falconberry tells tales of her days exploring the forests. Released this past April, this effort is one more quality addition to Falconberry’s repertoire of lyrical tunes with vivid imagery of nature and wildlife.

Each song from “From the Forest Came the Fire” is beautifully composed and filled with rich textures paired with elegant harmonies. On these tunes pushed by unbroken rhythm, Falconberry (who has experience playing classical music) effortlessly describes the uniqueness and tranquility of the landscapes in the United States.

Falconberry brings Medicine Bow along with her on this aural journey, said band being a musically diverse group of expert players that consists of Karla Manzur (keys), Gina Dvorak (banjo, guitar), Lindsey Verrill (cello), Christopher Cox (bass), and Mathhew Shepherd. With this group, Falconberry is able to retain the traditional sounds of a folk tune, while also experimenting outside those boundaries to bring out a truly fresh sound.

Along with using strings and humming to enhance her music, Falconberry takes us through an ethereal and passionate experience lyrically, as she takes up the rivers, trees, and mountains as characters to describe her story. One comes away from this lyrically-focused music feeling closer to nature, which seems to be Falconberry’s very point in making it.

If you too would like to vicariously explore the enigmas of nature through music, give three selected tracks from the album a listen below, and check the groups’ Facebook for their current tour dates to hear it performed live.

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Chandana Kamaraj

Brooklyn's Big Thief is the exemplification of what can happen to a band in one year when uncommon talent is matched by a great record, hard work and compelling live performances. The group, led by songwriter Adrianne Lenker, in just one year went from playing your usual Brooklyn venues in front of a few fans, to becoming one of the most talked about new indie acts out of NYC. Currently touring the US, Big Thief will be back in NYC on June 23rd for a live performance at the Prospect Park Shell within the Celebrate Brooklyn Fest. Later in September the band is also scheduled to open for Lucius at Central Park's Summer Stage. If this is not an emerging band with buzz, we don't know what is!
P.S. We are very proud to have premiered their video for single Masterpiece last year! 

We added this song to The Deli's playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists - check it out!

Below is a new track from Year Of Glad called "Keeping A Peace". It's the first single off the band's forthcoming sophomore effort, I Don’t Know Where I Am Either, and all pre-order proceeds are currently being donated to The Center in Orlando "to benefit the victims from the Pulse Night Club shooting and their families." The four-song EP, which will include a cover of Pearl Jam's "Corduroy," was recorded and mixed by Mike Bardzik at Noisy Little Critter, and will be officially released on July 15 via Lame-O Records.