Diehard is a super catchy, no-fuss 4 person guitar pop band reminiscent of the indie rock darlings of the late '90s. They may have the same name as that hit Bruce Willis film, but their music is better suited for all those great high school teen flicks that contributed to forging many into hipsters (think "10 Things I Hate About You"). Diehard’s vibrant electric guitar wall of sound and their strong melodies reveal the band's obsession for artists like Dinosaur JR and Pavement - something we definitely share with them. The characteristic fragile vocal style is recreated here with a delicate harmonizing of male and female voices - the beauty of their melodies perfectly balanced by the "beastie" power trio sound. Look forward to their 5 song EP, "Oh So Premier", set to be released in January of 2010. By the way, there’s a song called "Back to the Future IV"! How can you not be excited?

The Big Apple is a bit sweeter because of the rich sounds of Hilary Hawke. The musician combines an extensive musical education in clarinet with her experimentation in classical guitar and a rustic skill of banjo playing. The result is a lil’ bit country, a lil’ bit rock ’n soul - a sound created all within the bustling city streets of Brooklyn. The emotional lyrics and soothing arrangements of Hawke’s debut release, “Goodwill,” showcase her broad talent. Hawke plucks and strums her way through the banjo to create music that ranges from dark and alluring to energetic and cheerful. Her piercing vocals blend effortlessly within the sharp, choppy notes of the banjo on each track of the CD. The jug band experience intensifies with the dynamic presence of her large background band (complete with such instruments as the fiddle, mandolin and trombone). It’s pure instrumental bliss. Hilary Hawke plays Rodeo bar of 11.30. - CM

Led by Long Island-bred songwriter Mike Savino, Tall Tall Trees competently executes a sound influenced by traditional American roots music, incorporating elements of folk and country.  Largely built around meandering banjo lines, the songs of Tall Tall Trees are often upbeat and always melodic; “Bubble Gum” is an especially poppy gem featuring appropriately sweet vocal harmonies.  While “The Ballad of Sallie Mae” may be, lyrically, a ham-handed attempt at tongue-in-cheekiness, its intricate song structure and the integration of fiddle and backcountry percussion make it an interesting and representative track.  The band only stumbles when overproduction becomes an issue; the crisp, bright guitar and drum sounds of “I Got You” hit a little too close to contemporary pop-country radio territory for comfort.  Ultimately, however, Tall Tall Trees successfully captures the rural feeling Savino’s tunes are designed to evoke, which is a laudable feat for a big-city East Coast band to accomplish. The band has a busy December live schedule with shows at Pete's Candy's Store (12.03) Hank's Saloon (12.11) and Union Pool (12.18).

Here's the new music video for the song "Sugar Pill" from The Bravery. This video was directed by the band's bass player Mike Hindert, the same person who directed the band's previous chilling clip for "Hatefuck." The new album by The Bravery, Stir The Blood, comes out on December 1.

Kite Operations' third full-length album FESTIVAL it out now on Actually, Records. Filled with visceral noise spirituals, ‘Festival’ is a joyous exaltation for the no-wave set; an exhilarating testament to the band’s ability to infuse dissonant experimentation with the emotionally incisive. "...rock that'll shock your testicles like Kabangers. Heavy on guitar feedback madness, straight up noise, and dadaist vocals, the Asian American sound is now officially over. The [New York] band killed it brilliantly..." - Giant Robot "With its deep lyricism and carefully constructed accompaniment, 'Festival' is an unparalleled mixture of celebration, emotion and passion." – Lucid Forge "Free-jazz inspired noise-rock improv-spazz-pop. Sounds like Don Caballero meets Cap'n Jazz plus more noise. Super energetic and fierce." - KUCI 88.9fm The album release party on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Bar Matchless in Greenpoint, Brooklyn brings together many of the band's labelmates and friends from around the country, with performances by: Grapefruit Experiment (VA) Faello Nor (Boston) XYZR_KX (Chicago) Jienan Yuan (Chicago) The Gold Medalists (SF) Jack Tung (SF) Kite Operations and DJ sets by Zach Lipkins Doors at 6:00 PM Admission $8, 21+ (Please bring ID) Bar Matchless 557 Manhattan Ave.(corner of Driggs and Manhattan) Greenpoint, Brooklyn - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).