Although we don't really do THAT many drugs, here at The Deli we love the word "Psych", in particular when it's associated with the other word "Rock". Wonderful Lady Bree had the great idea to organize the first Brooklyn Psych Fest at Glasslands on February 28 from 7 PM until 4 AM (yes of course psychedelia gets even better late at night...) - and we were happy to help her out with some promotion.
The line up features some darn fine emerging NYC artists including aggressive trio La Otracina (who made our Best of NYC 2008 list) and gorgeously cloudy Naam (who made our Best of NYC 2009 list!), plus other artists that are worth checking out. More about the other bands involved in this show soon!

On February 23rd (tonight) @ Zebulon in Brooklyn 8088 Record Collective presents the release of Compilation Volume IV ("nice cover!" says The Deli) with Binary Marketing Show, Equestrian, The Fancy (in the picture), Transmography (Austin) and La Snacks (Austin). The show is FREE and copies of the compilation are also FREE for those who will come out to the show. DJ Bird Dog will be spinning all night and mind blowing projections will get your brain busy. 8088 is a collective of artists across the nation who share the same ideals, enthusiasm, and convictions and doubles as an experiment in the exposure of underground art while working as a community of artists for collaboration.- (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Freelance Whales (who played one of our CMJ parties in October 2009 and placed 2nd in our Year End Best of NYC Poll) is definitely the indie band with the most "selling potential" to emerge from the NYC scene in 2009. These guys last year managed to create a lot of buzz in the big apple just by playing shows and without the support of a label - or even a real release for that matter. Now that a "proper" promotional machine is warming up, the sky seems to be the limit. Freelance Whales just announced the release of the debut single "Generator 2nd Floor" (you can download it for free here) and their live show schedule for the next few months, including Sasquatch Festival on May 30th and a US Tour With Cymbals Eat Guitars & Bear In Heaven - plus of course several SXSW dates. Their debut album "Weathervanes" LP On Frenchkiss/Mom + Pop Records will be out March 16th. Don't miss their live show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 1st.

It's quite rare to stumble upon an Alt Rock band that - like Starling Crush - quotes the early 4AD records as one of their most important influences. Yeah because none of those submlime seminal 4AD bands (Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil) had ever anything to do with what is understood to be "Alt Rock". They'd rather mix and mess around with genres like ambient, goth, electronica and even world influences. But - as we strongly believe Alt Rock is in desperate need of a face lift - we definitely welcome this paradox, which allows this band's songs to stand out from most of the Alt Rock artists out there. Check them out at The Living Room on 02.22 and at Rockwood on March 02.

Deli readers who play in bands,

The Deli has reserved 3 showcase slots at Music Tech Mashup during SXSW, a party which will take place at Rusty Spurs in Austin, TX on 7th St. on March 17. Rusty Spurs features 3 stages with an 800 person capacity in the middle of it all and is an official SXSW venue. During the Austin based festival it will host shows by heavy hitters like Echo and the Bunnymen, Vega (Neon Light side project) and Semi Precious Weapons (recently on tour with Lady Gaga) amongst others.

To apply to play this SXSW show all you need to do is fill in this form HERE and click on the confirmation email you'll receive (this will simply add you to our mailing list and enter your band in our fabulous charts organized by genre and region - one day we'll also create band profiles!). 3 artists will be selected by the organizers (one of them will be a local Austin, TX artist). Any band that is available to travel to Austin is eligible.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED FOR THE BUSHWICK FEST, DON'T FEAR, JUST FILL IN THIS FORM AGAIN - you'll be submitted to both opportunities.

Submission deadeline is Monday 02.22 at 11.59 pm.

Music Tech Mashup Showcase (hosted by Coast to Coast Models & Events and presented by GreenShoeLace.com, HunnyPot and The Deli) will celebrate the convergence of music and technology and the opportunities it presents for everyone involved just as SXSW itself switches gears from Interactive Week to Music Week. This is a list of some of the artists already booked: Jada - Universal Motown Records (Boston, MA) - Bamboo Shoots - Epic Records (New York) - Shinobi Ninja - (Brooklyn, NY) - McAlister Drive - (Boston, MA) - Odd Modern - (Los Angeles, CA) - Keys and Crates (Toronto, Canada) - Curtis Santiago (Toronto, Canada) - Keith Masters (Chicago, IL) - FutureCop! (UK) - Mark Foster (Los Angles, CA).

The Deli's Staff

IMPORTANT P.S. The Deli will not select the bands for this event so please don't email Paolo trying to "schmooze".