Between Gold Child, Stranger Cat, and Chad Valley there’s a range of styles: folky songwriting, electronica arrangements, and swelling alt-pop. But between the three artists there’s a certain similarity. Each aspires toward arty pop music that’s simultaneously memorable and creatively minded. It can be heard in the shimmering synthesizer worlds of Stranger Cat as well as the spacious arrangements of Gold Child. That similarity makes the artists a perfect match for their performance together at Knitting Factory on September 8. It’s a lineup with diversity yet a string of resemblance throughout. It’s pop music built with care and precision. – Cameron Carr

Now in its 6th year, Out In the Streets Festival is back in action to bring your favorite indie bands to Queens for a weekend of art, food, fun, and music. Hosted at the historic Onderdonk House in Ridgewood, the outdoor fest is the smaller, DIY version of all the big summer music festivals that have competed for your attention and presence in the past few months. Since it began on a street corner in Bushwick in 2009, Out In the Streets has kept itself homegrown and independent but continues to grow every year, celebrating local artists and eateries in this two-day multimedia festival. The lineup includes bands like Mr Twin Sister, Total Slacker, The Love Supreme, Wild Yaks, Salt Cathedral and many more. The bands performing this weekend are all mostly NYC-based, and the lineup on Sunday is featuring local bands from Bushwick and Ridgewood. Full weekend passes are still available for only $35, with one day tickets going for $20, on sale here. Check out a Spotify compilation of all the performing bands here, or streaming below. - Sam O'Hara

Brooklyn songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Cat Martino recently unveiled her new project Stranger Cat, an electronic duo with producer Sven Britt. The band has just announced the April release of debut LP "In the Wilderness," which was written by Cat after a difficult period of disillusionment with the music world and its challenges. An accomplished vocalist and songwriter, Cat has collaborated with many noteworthy NYC artists including Sufjan Steven and Sharon Van Etten. Her new project sees her explore the creative possibilities given by electronic instruments, and features darker atmospheres, without abandoning her pop sensibility and soulful style. Stream the single "Sirens" below, and - if you dig - see Stranger Cat live at The Knit on 03.07