Thieving Irons is the new project from former Pela guitarist Nate Martinez, and “So Long” is his drifty, catchy new track. In the song’s video, fish and people and manatees hang out underwater, and there’s also some naval-battle stock footage and B-movie scenery in there as well. Micah Van Hove directs. Watch it or stream the song below.

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Nate Martinez, the former guitarist for Pela, has a new project called Thieving Irons. Though the new band hasn’t yet announced any album-release plans, they’ll be releasing some singles over the next few months. The latest “So Long,” is a perfectly lovely piece of comfort-food indie. It’s a pretty idea Tuesday-morning soundtrack, and you can download it below.

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Scientists say the weeks between Thanksgiving and Chrismukkah are the most depressing time of year (or maybe I read that on Friendster) and it’s easy to see why. As we gear up for year end, spending awkward time with our extended families, it’s natural to take stock of the last twelve months and ask the important questions. “When will I find a job that doesn’t crush my soul?” “What’s wrong with my OKCupid profile?” “Animal Collective or Grizzly Bear?” “Why is it 60° in Brooklyn?” Last week we all got psyched for 2010. This week we end on a somber note by reflecting once again on those we’ve lost.

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Pela’s the sort of band that makes raving fanatics out of their concert audiences, converting crowds with hearty, room-expanding arena rock. And the vid for Veronica Mars‘s fave Pela tune “Lost To The Lonesome” sees producers Katie MacKenzie and Matt Piancentini of Vitamin M playing on that, getting Billy and the rest of the guys up as traveling salesmen/preacher types, traversing that old timey www (the wild wild west), peddling their personal brand of elixir, converting the masses. Or, really, slaying the masses. Cool video, but never again will we eat their paella.

“Lost To The Lonesome” comes from the band’s Anytown Graffiti, available via Great Society. The band’s holed up in an LA studio working on the next LP — check the progress through posts to their studio blog and snippets at their YouTube page.

Can’t deny the ubiquitous fusing of the culinary arts and chordal progressions these days. Fresh off of dining with Man Man and learning how to make Grizzly Bear pecan pie, we point you to our friends at Dinner With The Band, who are ready to roll out their internet television cooking-with-musicians show. Early eps will help you learn how to make bagels and lox with El-P and paella with Pela. And of course there’s music, too, like this take of the previously unreleased Pela tune “Philadelphia”…

Head here for El-P doing “Smithereens,” and here for “Lost To The Lonesome” (aka Veronica Mars‘s favorite Pela tune).

Dig the “paella with Pela” thing ’cause it’s sorta punny, and god knows we eat up those hot puns. So what band/dish do you want to see on Dinner With The Band? Fiona Apple pie? Archers Of Meat Loaf? Fleetwood Mac & Cheese? (We’re not going for the realistic here, obviously). Frog Eyes? (Delicious, by the way.)

Having the kids of the CW soap stroll in the sand to your tune for two minutes may not pack the unit-pushing punch of soundtracking a McMontage on Grey’s Anatomy, but it’s a step up from a gig at The Delancey. Take this clip to 1:32 and let it ride for two minutes of beach flirting and lifeguard station banter, set to the Billy’s bleeding heart vox on “Lost To The Lonesome.”

The Brooklyn band’s soul-baring arena rock has been bouncing around the LES for awhile now (last time we saw ‘em we ended up with El Madmo), and the band is set to get the old package-and-push treatment this April, which means more TV is more than likely. For now, Pela will make a song from the upcoming release available each week, to stream at their homepage. We rather enjoy the War-era U2 of “Tenement Teeth,” but “The Trouble With River Cities” is the best candidate for the inevitable Grey’s treatment.

Anytown Graffiti is out 4/24 on Great Society.

Wednesdays offer slim pickings during CMJ week. But Jeff and I caught plenty of memorable gigs on Day One. I’m living it up until Friday, ’cause that’s when I leave for my bachelor party (Vegas, baby … I’ve never been). Don’t worry, though — Jed and Jim will be taking over concert coverage over the weekend. Plenty more pics and quasireviews to come.

PELA @ Bowery Ballroom. I wasn’t really paying attention, and was bummed I missed King Of France. I know Glenn likes ‘em. Sorry, I can’t recommend one way or the other until I listen further. Lousy blogging so far, I know — stay with me kids…

FORGET CASSETTES @ CBGBs 313 Gallery. We tried to meet up with Jenny at regular CBGBs … DENIED. We weren’t too disappointed (heard the new LP is “outstandingly bad”). Forget Cassettes were sexy, but Jeff was itching for some Cribs…

THE CRIBS @ Bowery Ballroom. Ran into Cameron and Hartley, both of whom let me stand in front of them to snap a pic of the bloody Jarman bro. I enjoyed their sloppy rock. The new Libertines perhaps? But nothing you’ll be fawning over in 2006.

BEANS W/ HOLY FUCK @ Bowery Ballroom. Holy shit is this dude talented. And Holy Fuck were bananas with the backup beats.

At this point we walked a few blocks to Crash Mansion to see Asobi Seksu. Shot the shit with Keith, who is moderating a panel you can attend on Saturday. Waited for the band to take the stage. Waited more. Fuck it, back to Bowery for Devendra.

DEVENDRA BANHART @ Bowery Ballroom. Never felt strongly about the wacky folkie. He seemed like someone I would like: I LOVE Joanna Newsom, Sufjan, pretty much everything on Paw-Tracks. But he’s disappointed me in the past (76 recorded songs in 3 years … they can’t all be winners). Pareles sums up my preconceived notion here: “Devendra Banhart is amazing. No, he’s annoying! Amazing! Annoying!” But get this … the band actually rocked. Late in the set he invited two random audience members to take the stage and play a song THEY wrote (he’s done this before). “Anyone here write songs? Come up … you can use my guitar.” Devendra closed with that tune that’s not about pedophilia.

After the gig, we spotted Antony (& Not The Johnsons) across the street. Moving on…

JOHN VANDERSLICE at Mercury Lounge. Very cool, and he brought buzz band Viva Voce onstage for an encore of “Exodus Damage.”

A first night. It’s only gonna get better.

Who did you see/going to see?