San Francisco based artist, Minna Choi plays/composes/conducts music under the name Magik*Magik.

After 8 years of leading her very own orchestra (how many people do you know that have started their own orchestras?), she has finally written and recorded her own songs, the first of which is a slow-burning ballad called "Laugh a Lot" which features a duet with How To Dress Well's Tom Krell, with whom Magik*Magik have collaborated on and off since 2012.

"Laugh a Lot" is Magik*Magik's first release as a solo artist, and is highly anticipated amongst people in the know. Don't miss this one, and stay tuned for more.

The words "close-knit" are definitely appropriate when referred to NYC rootsy pop band Saint Adeline, since the it's comprised of three sibilings: Drew, Kasie and Chloe Gasparini. After trying separate artistic careers, the trio almost accidentally found themselves on a stage performing together, only to realize what kind of rare chemistry existed between them. Since then, they've been working on material for a debut record, and what we are premiering here is the band's first single, entitled Jumpstart. Written by Drew, this is a song about reclaiming control of one's life narrative after a negative (sentimental) experience. Chloe's bright and optimistic soprano fits the theme perfectly, while the acoustic arrangement and well orchestrated vocal harmonies convey an uplifting and hopeful sonic carpet. 

Saint Adeline is holding an EP release show on 9/19 at Joe's Pub. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber, photo Credit: Michael Hull

Pavo Pavo is one of those bands that make music lovers happy, without really being a happy band, and notwithstanding those unnecessary mustaches. It's just the celestial orchestration, the musical bits and pieces flawlessly coming together, we guess. This being sad, we wish they had more recorded songs! Nobody is happy about scarcity of what makes them happy, why do you do this to us, Pavo Pavo? Those of you who share the feeling should see these guys live tomorrow (August 4th) at wonderful new Brooklyn Venue National Sawdust - and yes, they'll be playing more than the two songs you can find online (also streaming below)!

From 2009 until 2013, Teen Suicide existed as the solo project of Sam Ray, who self-released all of the project's lo-fi bedroom recordings on Bandcamp. The band recently announced their return with a permanent lineup, and signed to Boston label Run For Cover Records, under whose umbrella they released a collection of new songs, entitled It's the Big Joyous Celebration, Let's Stir the Honeypot. This is a daunting 69 minute album that consists of 26 tracks featuring a variety of different sounds. The album's most accessible moments feature almost flower pop sensibility with orchestral flourishes (hear opener Living Proof), while tracks like “Alex” seem to reference at once folk, prog and slacker rock influences. To make things even more complicated, the album unravels even more unexpected moments featuring experimental electronic and psychedelic influences. Teen Suicide will be supporting fellow lo-fi rockers and labelmates Elvis Depressedly at Strange Matter on August 5th. - John Honan

While singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane certainly does possess strong vocal chops, the core strength of his music comes from the "songwriting" half of his genre label. Kahane is a dexterous and thoughtful composer, balancing out the pronounced folkiness of his accoustic guitar parts with classic string or piano accompaniments on tracks like "Veda (1 Pierce Dr.)." He's also not afraid to "plug in" and rock out either (like in "Calabash & Catamaran") proving his versatility as an artist to perform a range of styles and capture a wide breadth of emotions. He even did a cover of a song from "Oklahoma" the musical for goodness' sake! On top of that, the strong Elliot Smith vibes in Kahane's music add an extra aura of melancholy, and if Rockwood booked him for a residency it means he's as good llive as he sounds on record. You can catch him next Rockwood's Stage 2 on 8/28, and then again and again until 10/23! — Henry Solotaroff-Webber, Photo Credit: Rebecca Deane