With psychedelic leanings and spacey synths that could believably been beamed down from Pluto, Brooklyn-based Pavo Pavo has a sound that's both warm and familiar, and yet hard to place. In their stunning debut album 'Young Narrator in the Breakers' the band seems to comfortably straddle between the deeper trenches of Brian Wilson's brain and the new face of NYC indie rock--whatever that may be. The quintet's tunes may be hazy and wistful, but there's a quirky liveliness embedded at the heart of their tracks that invites the listener back for more and warrants repeat plays. The band's founder Oliver Hill was kind enough to spend some time with Delicious Audio to shed some light on their creative process, and the gear that helps color their distinctive feel - see link below. Check out their recent video for 'Ruby (Let's Buy The Bike!),' streaming below.

Pavo Pavo discusses gear and creative process on Delicious Audio.

Ring in the new year with eclectic orchestral six-piece Emanuel and the Fear at Knitting Factory on January 10th. The band had quite a productive 2016, between releasing their latest EP Primitive Smile and going on a trailblazing tour through Europe last November. They posted an Instagram in early December stating that they were "Back in the office. Lots of exciting things to come. Stay tuned." This can only mean more music and electric live performances from the group. If you're a fan of orchestral pop drawing from the styles of Arcade Fire, ELO, or Sufjan Stevens, jump on the bandwagon and treat yourself to Emanuel and the Fear's body of work.

The opener for this show is indie pop artist Frances Cone, who released her single "Arizona" last January and set off from there on a whirlwind year of playing around NYC and the Northeast. Head to Knitting Factory on January 10th to hear both her and Emanuel and the Fear perform. - Will Sisskind

Comparatively speaking in regards to the rest of the west coast, it's cold as shit outside. Since most of us have been schlepping around our respective abodes in snow day sweatpants attire, it's time to put on our finest doodads for a night that's sure to be less dramatic than the ones back in grade school. Say hello to yet another year of Tender Loving Empire's Winter Formal.

TLE doesn't disappoint, and this year's lineup continues in their good holiday faith. Rap Class will be up first, setting a lasting ambiance with his moody yet movement-inducing electronic sounds. With the voice of a soulful angel and enough rhythm to make anyone scream "okurrr!," Maarquii will be giving everyone some much needed life before that cumbia kicks in and gets everyone all sweaty, thanks to Orquestra Pacifico Tropical.

We're all in need of dancing away this shitty year and TLE's Winter Formal allows us to do so while still spreading some Christmas spirit. The dance is a toy drive for the Portland Fire & Rescue Toy & Joy Makers, so come out this Saturday with $10 and a toy (or $20 and no toy, as half of that will serve as donation). Come dressed at least mildly to impress, hit up the onsite photobooth and turn up for the season!

Tonight, we hope you'll make your way to the Fox Theater in Oakland to support Oakland United: A Benefit for Oakland Fire Relief.

Oakland United is a A Night of Music and Stories featuring Christopher Willits, Dan Deacon, Gabe Meline (KQED), Fantastic Negrito, Geographer, Hieroglyphics, Jay Som, Josette Melchor (Gray Area), Kennedy Ashlyn and Anya Taylor (Them Are Us Too), Primus, Rogue Wave, Sam Lefebvre (East Bay Express), Sidecar Tommy (Beats Antique), The Coup, Thao Nguyen, tUnE-yArDs, Tycho and many more!

Hosted by Josette Melchor of the Gray Area Foundation For The Arts, which started a fund shortly after the tragedy and has collected over $500,000 to date. The fund is collaborating closely with the Oakland Mayor’s Office and the Red Cross as well as getting guidance from local arts institutions. The immediate needs of fire victims will be the fund’s priority with the Red Cross as the first point of contact for allocation of the funds received from the Oakland Sports Teams funds. 

Fox Theater 
Oakland, CA 
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 
Show: 7:00pm

Buy tickets here.

A true NYC scene sleeper, avant-orchestral collective Cuddle Magic has been being impressive for a long time now, and our little top ten 'NYC buzz" chart of this same page just reminded us of it - that's what's there for! The Deli booked them for a CMJ show back in 2012 (holy cow, that was an EPIC CMJ year for us!), and their live show left us in awe. 2012 was also the year of their latest release, LP 'Info Nympho.' But true musicians never quit, and we are glad to see the group back on their feet with a new record - and a new label, the experimental-minded, Brooklyn based Northern Spy. The new mateiral is at once edgier and angular in the production and more mellow and ethereal in the vocal department. Check out 'Slow Rider' below, the second single from upcoming LP 'Ashes/Axis,' scheduled for a January 27th release. Don't miss the band's upcoming show at Trans Pecos on December 15.