Steel Phantoms is a very new band from Brooklyn, their sound spans from noise to new wave to crisp, riff-heavy pop. They have two lead vocalists. Check them out live at Glasslands on Dec. 12 with Calypso, No Place, and The Chairs. Free Williamsburg says about them: "Billy Joel quits chasing Uptown Girls, moves in w/ Jonathan Richman" - Earfarm says "Actually Pretty Good." - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

After a slight delay, EAR FARM and Let 'Em In Studios announced the release of Do you EAR what I EAR?, a holiday album for the Association to Benefit Children, available as a digital download exclusively on EAR FARM's Store Page for a suggested minimum donation of $5.00. Do you EAR what I EAR? features original and classic holiday songs from many local artists, including Sean Bones (in the picture), Asobi Seksu, Sharon Van Etten, and many more. The proceeds of the record go directly to the Association to Benefit Children, a New York-based service dedicated to permanently break the cycles of abuse, neglect, sickness and homelessness among disadvantaged children and their families.

For the last few years, Brooklyn resident Kevin Barker has been recording, touring and collaborating with Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Vashti Bunyan, Antony and the Johnsons, and Espers, to name just a few, playing on the last few Vetiver records and touring with them. His debut album, You And Me, was produced by Thom Monahan (Vetiver, Gary Louris) and features Pat Sansone (Wilco), Joanna Newsom, Jonathan Wilson (Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis), Eric Johnson (Shins, Fruit Bats), and Otto Hauser (Vetiver, Espers). Don't miss Kevin's live performance at The Stone on December 20.

CMJ Music Marathon is a time to discover the brightest young stars in the music industry. We at The Deli had our hands full with 2009’s festivities and had a hard time picking our favorite bands. Savoir Adore not only was one of my personal favorite artists of this year's festival, but they also played The Deli's 20th issue launch party, opening for showegaze Zaza, who graced that issue's cover. They put on a great live show. I recently sat down with Paul Hammer - we discussed CMJ Music Marathon and future touring plans. - Read Nicholas Palumbo interview with the band here.

Someday, Rachael Sage will make her punk album, a stripped-down collection honoring Joan Jett, one of her heroes. At the moment, though, she’s compelled to make what she calls “cinematic” and “textured” music—expertly crafted piano pop that, however intricate, seems destined for the Top 40. If Sage’s admiration for Jett comes as something of a surprise—her latest album, “Chandelier,” is more along the lines of Vanessa Carlton or Tori Amos—it’s characteristic of her wide-ranging talent and ambition. Another of her idols is Meryl Streep, and in 7th grade, Sage adapted “Sophie’s Choice” for a school theater project. Later, she earned a degree in drama from Stanford University. - read Ken Partridge interview with Rachel here.