Burlington, VT, mostly known for its University which spawned Phish, is a bustling college town full of heady young people and a burgeoning music scene. Enter Zeus Springsteen, a Burlington based power trio rooted in the endearing jangliness and lyrically clever sensibilities of a so called “college rock” band- though their sound begs to question when they’re from. Their eponymous debut album sounds more akin to R.E.M than OCS, exploring the popular sound of yesteryear college rock; steadfast grooves and fuzzy guitar riffs are littered all over the album, woven within tightly knit and smart arrangements. Perhaps the most identifying quirk of Zeus Springsteen are the melodic, yet abstract stories they tell (not unlike Robert Pollard’s), most notably on the cheeky “Joey Is a Robot”. Stream their new album below. -Charley Ruddell

Burlington’s Caroline Rose has released a new single from her upcoming album Loner, the sophomoric follow up to 2014’s I Will Not Be Afraid. The single, a blistering garage-fueled banger called “Money”, sparks, flares, and burns out in under two and a half minutes. “We did it for the money!” shouts Rose in a shameless, chaotic confession, either poking fun at our money obsessed society, or perhaps pointing out the irony in a fetishized, but dry-bled music biz. Or maybe I’m just looking too deep into it. Either way, it’s a lot of fun. Loner is out February 23rd on New West Records. -Charley Ruddell

New music seekers,

We have a brand new issue of The Deli NYC available online for you - and it's a gooooood one, can read it here! 

We are super thrilled to have new DFA Records signee Guerilla Toss on the cover (check out their wonderful single "Skull Pop") streaming below.

This is also our yearly electronic issue, linked to the upcoming Brooklyn Synth Expo, and therefore features:

- An article about the state of the electronic scene in NYC,
- Several Q&As with other electronic NYC artists,
- An ample section dedicated to the gear participating in the Synth Expo.

The paper version will be distributed in NYC around October 20th. 

Enjoy!

The Folks at The Deli

Following up on their critically acclaimed 2014 debut album “Departure,” the NYC/Burlington duo Vacant Lots have released sophomore LP “Endless Night.”  Building off of a previously established psych-drone base, Jared Artaud and Brian MacFadyen introduce new sonic elements to their sound. Uncharacteristically, “Night Nurse” (streaming below) adds mechanized electronics and robotic vocals to twangy guitar lines, suggesting a digitized outlaw world portrayed in sci-fi dramas like HBO’s Westworld; the Krafter-esque experiment works.  “Pleasure & Pain” mimic Rolling Stones-style chords and sprinkle otherworldly keyboard elements around an attenuated vocal delivery, while  “Elevation” delves further into electro-dance patterns that skirt the appeal of a band like Depeche Mode.  Reaching the albums longest track at over five and a half minutes, “Empty Space” serves up a trance groove paired with spoken-word vocals.  Eight new tracks in all, the inclusion of nyc underground legend Alan Vega of Suicide’s posthumous scream-of-conscious poetic howl on closer “Suicide Note” delivers the desired validation.  The album can be heard in its entirety here on Spotify. - Dave Cromwell

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

 Burlington indie-rock outfit Paper Castles is an exceptional voice coming from the still-snowy landscapes of Vermont.  Alternating between melancholy and optimistic (sometimes both simultaneously), their album, Vague Era, is a must for your last-remnants-of-winter playlist.  Strong psychedelic roots, uniquely catchy pop sensibilities, and introspective songwriting will keep these songs on repeat.  Catch them at The Monkey House in Winooski, VT on 4/2 with NE-HI and J Bengoy.  Philly and NYC readers can also catch them locally later this month. -Brian Varneke