Boston/Portland (ME)/Brooklyn based quintet Joy Kills Sorrow is that go to band every blogger speaks highly of, but they have yet to make the kind of splash they deserve. That may change with the pending release of new EP 'Wide Awake,' to be followed by a lengthy coast to coast tour. The five piece bluegrass/folk group has always found ways to extend themselves. Be it virtuoso string playing, huge lead vocals (Emma Beaton) or their penchant for re-configuring their classical backgrounds to carve out new worlds for pop jams (check out their fantastic cover of 'Such Great Heights,' streaming below), the band always comes across sounding new while staying firmly rooted in a classic American roots tradition. They're setting off across the country this summer, but be sure to catch them live when they come around later this year.

 I can’t vouch for the former, but this three-piece Boston outfit is certainly pretty-- their  latest, Golden Rules for Golden People, has been slowly gaining critical acclaim that their long-standing Beantown fans can cheer for. Often compared to early new wave from Elvis Costello to Squeeze, don’t listen to the blogs that tell you Pretty and Nice are merely influenced performers. In their single “Hibernate”, you hear snippets of the Kinks and a snatch of electronic, but the blend is completely unique to the group. Holden Lewis and Jeremy Mendicino have been playing the New England scene since 2004 and are finally gaining some clout in the community. Golden Rules is terrific, but for even more Pretty and Nice fun take a listen to their earlier recordings-- their current sound is a careful blend of everything they’ve done to date, and it’s a cool journey to take. Catch them at the Sinclair on Thursday with the Thermals. - Jamie Loftus

Next Wednesday, May 22, Radio (381 Somerville Ave.) in Somerville will be playing host to a benefit show for the Boston Marathon victims. The event, titled "Concert for Boston: An Evening to Benefit Victims of the Marathon" has a line-up full of local favorites and newcomers alike. 

Samira Winter just received a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College, but has spent her college years cutting her teeth in the Boston underground music scene. Hailing from Brazil, Winter is one of Samira’s side projects when she’s not DJ-ing, producing short films, or working for her online zine “Wow & Flutter”. Joined with fellow students Nolan Eley, Kyle Oppenheimer, and Ana Karina DaCosta to develop some of the dreamiest, most forward-thinking sound in the scene.

The collaboration started solely with Winter and Eley corresponding, she with rough recordings and he with expert production skills, then expanded into a full performing outfit that’s played local venues like TT the Bear’s and station WERS 88.9. Their album Daydreaming sounds a little bit Vivian Girls and a little bit Beach House with a better sense of humor, airy vocals over a sonic soundscape in the title track and “Bedroom Philosophies”. Their sound doesn’t take itself seriously and runs in a stream of consciousness through Winter’s melodies, leaving us to hope that of all her talents, this girl sticks with the music. Four-track Daydreaming is available on Bandcamp now for a lean five bucks (dab of Winter’s perfume included).

Also worth checking out: the band released a killer cover of Pink Floyd’s “Time” last month, giving it the twenty-first century trip treatment it didn’t ask for, but certainly deserved. - Jamie Loftus

This seven-piece Portland-based indie rock ensemble known as Forget, Forget are known for their big sound and unorthodox lyrics. Their demo Do You Love Me?, released in March, is going to be the perfect playlist as you transition from spring to summer. With upbeat feel-good tunes, it’ll make you feel like you’re riding cross-country with your top down even if you’re just sitting in your bed at home. They’ve got those lyrics that don’t make sense on paper, but you can’t help but vibe to them and sing-along all day. And if you’re into them, check out Kickstarter and give them a hand in recording their debut album! - Sam Hill

Thank God people still know how to play rock n’ roll. That was my first thought when I heard Whatever Forever, the latest release by New Hampshire-based quartet The Migs. After going to college in New Hampshire, I have become accustomed to associating that area of New England with smelly hippies and boring, repetitive jam music (my sincerest apologies to anyone who is a Trey Anastasio fan). Naturally, I was pleasantly surprised with The Migs’ raucous, surfy, 60s-inspired tunes. In fact, the middle of “When She says My Name” immediately conjured-up images of The Kinks playing a basement gig in 1965 (I wasn’t around then, but I’m fairly confident this is what they would have sounded like). The guitars are tight, and the vocals are loud and somewhat muffled, adding to the raw rock-awesomeness of this collection of songs. Weighing in at a modest 7 tracks, this record packs a hell of a lot of rock into such a small amount of time. I thought everything was very well-balanced and the use of organ (most notably on the eerie “Gravestoned” and the dance party that is “Fuzzy Sun”) really helped to add nice depth to the tracks. I’m more than excited to hear original rock tunes sounding so good that are coming from the Northeast. So, if you’re bored at work (and who isn’t), or just looking for some kick-ass tunes to listen to, scroll down and give Whatever Forever a listen. - Dan McMahon

Independent Bands and Artists,

Once again The Deli gives you the opportunity to be selected to play NYC's Rooftop Films' Summer Series 2013, which will run every weekend from May 10 until August, with special events in September.

The event couples films with live music on top of spectacular NYC roofs, and connects artists with audiences so that each event is unique and memorable. The Rooftop Film music programming staff will select some artists from those who applied through The Deli.

If interested submit here.

The Deli's Staff
thedelimagazine.com

Daniel James and Cam Jones are Worried Well. They’re about to release their new album Luck on May 7, and you definitely need to check them out. Playing a lot of pop-acoustic tracks, but being a rock n’ roll band at heart, Worried Well consistently delivers a quality song with thoughtful, poetic lyrics. You’ve got a variety of styles on this album, too, from the Death Cab for Cutie-esque “Find Your Own God” to “Lords of the Beach” where James finds his inner-Max Bemis. This album is a natural progression from their earlier work, so long time fans and newbies will be on the same page. - Sam Hill

On Monday, April 29, the wait will finally be over. Boston-based rapper Caliph will be performing at Church of Boston to celebrate the release of his latest record, Heart in Mind. The disc, which he has been promoting relentlessly for months with the help of the Good Karma crew, is sure to impress even the most casual of hip-hop fans. In an age of increasing social media presence and frequently leaked records, I am impressed at how well Caliph has been able to control this album. He has managed to only release artwork for the album and two singles, "Go (The Baddest)" and "Dear Lord", without allowing any further information to reach the public.