A lot has changed for Rare Monk over the last few years. Their very first release, the Death By Proxy EP back in 2013, dotted them on Portland's indie rock map, with 2015's self titled EP locking them in place. But as with any classic band story, things got a bit iffy for the Rare Monk in the months to come. They've reached a point now where that iffiness has turned into a stable, fully developed sound that fits the band perfectly.

Rare Monk's most advantageous change came along with their shifted lineup. What started out at a 5-piece with an entirely different guitarist and violinist has now become a 4-piece focusing more on expansive guitar lines and complimenting harmonies thanks to the addition of lead guitarist/vocalist Hugh Jepson.

Along with Dorian Aites (vox, violin, keys, guitar), Rick Buhr on drums and Forest Gallien on bass, the foursome have based their summer release No Future on the lack of control humans have over their personal and collective futures. It's experimental indie rock with a dystopian base that's all sorts of enjoyable for how poignant its theme is.

See Rare Monk perform No Future tomorrow at Bunk Bar for a show they're playing with New York trio Wilsen. 

We feel like recommending this bill of NYC based artists playing Union Pool pm May 02. Wilsen is a band led by amazing songwriter Tamsin Wilson, they were featured on the cover of our magazine a few years ago. Alpenglow, hailing from New England but now full Brooklynites, play similarly ghostly folk rock, and they do it well. Hite, on the other hand, is a new face in the local scene, and a compelling one: the solo act's debut LP "Light of a Strange Day" is one of the most interesting releases we've heard this year, a sparse record filled with inspiring sonic ideas, edgy soul songwriting and a voice that's impressively controlled and expressive. Do not miss!

Three incredibly talented locals sharing a rootsy but dreamy sound will be performing at Manhattan Inn on Monday July 25th. Check out past Deli coverage: Wilsen (who graced the cover of The Deli's issue 36 back in 2013), Belle Mare, Keenan O'Meara.

Get ready for a new, comfy night of NYC lady-made music, this upcoming Monday October 12 at Greenpoint's Manhattan Inn. For the un-initiated, the Deli-sponsored series (organized by Hypnocraft) is called "The Hum" and features female NYC musicians in a collaborative setting. On Monday you'll see in action one of our favorite NYC singer songwriters, Tamsin Wilson of the band Wilsen, who graced the cover of our NYC magazine back in 2013. Tamsin will be performing a set with singer, actress & dancer Katrina Cunningham and (in normal circumstances) one-woman-band Idgy Dean.

The second set will involve two Latinas from bands who also got recent love from us, both in print and online: Gabi Jimeno, drummer of Balancer, and Juliana Ronderos, singer of Salt Cathedral. Yo, Balancer will also be playing at our CMJ Pop Stage on the following Saturday, BE THERE!!!

The third set, quite appropriately curated by Tom Tom Magazine (a rag entirely focused on female drummers), will feature Mindy Abovitz (Chica Vas, Taigaa), Mickey Vershbow (Mal Blum), Cati Bestard (Doble Pletina), and Maia Macdonald (Mirah). With 50% of the musicians on stage being drummers, you can expect a rather percussive performance!

This is a free event, hope to see you there!

The Deli's Staff - (in the picture, White Prism and Half Waif at last Monday's event - photo by David Andrako)

Like a true lover, Wilsen's music might not catch your ear at first; but, if you give it a chance, it will court it, charm it and slowly conquer it - the ear, that is. That's what happened to us in 2013, when the Brooklyn-based English songwriter released her debut album 'Sirens' - we named the album NYC Record of the Month and a few month later, after witnessing her live, put her on the cover of our fall/CMJ issue together with her band. Notwithstanding the fact that her music was already great, Wilsen's new single 'Garden" is stepping things up another notch, adding to her stellar songwriting talent a tasteful and luscious forward thinking electronic production. See her live at Mercury Lounge on August 7.

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