One of the easier ways, for emerging artists, to have a first popularity outbreak, is through the endorsement of a celebrity. Yes, because - rather sadly - they are a much more effective promotional vehicles than blogs, which is a reason good enough for all ambitious artists to cultivate their VIP PR skills! NYC songwriter Maggie Rogers knows something about that. We were very impressed by her folky debut album (now pulled from the web) back in 2014, so much so that we interviewed her and booked her for one of our official CMJ 2014 shows (with Margaret Glaspy, who is also getting some buzz as of late). After that, Maggie's name got a little lost, until this happened (Pharrel stumbled upon Maggie's new song at a NYU seminar and fell in love with it). Obviously Rogers, who is still in her early '20s, has spent these two years working hard on a more sophisticated sound (her debut was almost entirely acoustic). The audible results so far - in the shape of new single 'Alaska' - showcase a successful effort to step up her musical game, and are certainly worthy of praise. Still, it looks like Pharrell Williams' promotion of the track was worth about five million Spotify plays, which is a very tall order for even an established artist! The pressure is now on Maggie to make the most of this incredible opportunity, because, to sustain a lenghty musical career, talent and good luck also need to be matched by consistently powerful songwriting. The Deli is with you, Maggie!

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

Harsh and heavy. Wild and wily. Absolutely head-crushingly relentless. There are plenty of ways to describe the self-titled debut from Husband Stitch, but they all center around a general lack of mercy and a mild bit of intimidation that is to be expected by the listener. All the fury, the indignation, the raw power, it's all there. If you're angry about something—and if you aren't, you must not be paying attention—then the stream below could be just the fuzzy catharsis you need. -Austin Phy

One of the most interesting developments of recording technology has been the creative use of samples, something hip hop anticipated with scratching and vinyls featuring music loops of sample drumbeats - here's the most popular one of all. Brooklyn producer, songwriter and emcee Kirk Knight exhibits impressive skills in the sampling department on his 2013 release “Dust,” an unrelease collection of songs that was released earlier this year after Kirk soared in popularity thanks to his 2015's LP 'Late Knight Special.' That he will also perform as New York’s lone home-grown representative at this year’s Village Voice 4Knots Fest is something of a coup as well. A total of ten under two minute tracks on “Dust” exhibit a mastery of the Ableton production software, allowing the artist to weave in bits of his own voice samples. The approach delivers a series of dream-like tracks that include electronic, cut up Motown with an easy, breezy, trip-hop-jazz feel to it all. Featured track “The Right Thing” incorporate sampled elements that breakout acts like Charli XCX explored on a number of her debut album tracks like “So Far Away.” Charting single "I Know" (also streaming) features a more aggressive attitude and production. It will be interesting to see how Mr. Knight presents this sound to a live audience at 4Knots. That festival takes place Saturday July 9, returning to its original South Street Seaport location. Other acts performing are Guided By Voices, Strumbellas, Car Seat Headrest and many others. See the full listing here. - Dave Cromwell

After release a few enticing singles, Camp Candle, the duo of Hetepsa and Nu Ra, has released its first mixtape, which you can now stream and download for free. You can take a listen to ERE, which is an Old English word that mean "before (in time)," representing the beginning of the group's beginning (below). Camp Candle will also be performing for free on Thursday, July 14 at Spruce Street Harbor.

Earth Girls announced plans to release their debut album, Wanderlust, today. The LP will be released on August 12th via Grave Mistake Records. The band also released the album's first single "Say Goodnight". Earth Girls are power pop/punk quartet fronted by Liz Panella.