Philadelphia

Where Is My Mind? Grandchildren’s Aleks Martray

Posted on:

It should be no surprise that I’ve been waiting for this day for a while, well, for you (I have my copy already) and the West Philly crew, Grandchildren, because today is finally the official release of their long-awaited debut full length Everlasting on Green Owl Records. Get ready to see these D!D!G! electro-acoustic art rockers blow up! I am also happy to announce that The Deli Magazine will be co-presenting Grandchildren’s Album Release Party with Dock Street Brewing Co. We are stoked to share in this evening full of good vibes and great music! You can check out my interview with Grandchildren mastermind Aleks Martray about the making of Everlasting, his second home, how The Jackson 5 can take him to his “happy place”, and much, much more here.
 
Philadelphia

Check Out the Debut of “The Free Energy Power Hour”!

Posted on:

So the guys of Free Energy are preparing for the movie and TV opportunities that may be coming their way sooner than you’d think. Below is the official first episode of a new show that they are developing for Free Energy T.V. Internet called “The Free Energy Power Hour”. However, it seems the pilot is only three minutes and forty-two seconds long. Well, we have to admit that it’s pretty damn funny. Looks like the boys grabbed “Donny the Neighborhood Drunk/Bum” to be the host of their 70’s style talk show filmed in their basement (or we like to imagine it being one of their parents’ basement) as they do The State-like stream of consciousness comedy skits taking you on journeys through “Freedom Rock” commercials to Nam flashbacks and back. We look forward to the rest of the fifty-six minutes and eightteen seconds. Free Energy will also be heading on tour with Foxy Shazam for their “Foxy and Free Tour.” We expect that the tour mates will be looking for plenty of hot tub after-parties on the road. – The Deli Staff

Philadelphia

In Grenada Re-release Debut Album

Posted on:

Well, it looks like In Grenada are taking a chapter from The Swimmers and have decided to re-release their debut album Break today, albeit nationally this time but it still remains self-released. After the breakup of local ukulele indie rock outfit Movable Type, Jesse Leyh salvaged some tunes assembling them in his home studio into upbeat indie pop tracks for the open road with all your windows down (preferably in a convertible). Looks like no scheduled re-release party this time around, but you can catch In Grenada on Oct. 1 at Chestnut Hill College and Nov. 3 at Kung Fu Necktie with Creeping Weeds. – The Deli Staff
 
Philadelphia

Pissed Jeans – New Video for “False Jesii Part 2”

Posted on:

Pissed Jeans just released a new video on Pitchfork.tv for “False Jesii Part 2”, the opening track from King of Jeans. The video, which you can check out below, seems like a play on old “live concert” shows of the past with a stripped-down DIY aesthetic twist for the stage setup and the apathetic dancin’ groupies to go along with the bad lip syncing. We love bassist Randy Huth’s fake gleeful looks as he pretends to get his mellow pop groove on as Matt Korvette’s vocals shrill over the music. – The Deli Staff

Austin

From the Open Blog: School of Liars!

Posted on:

School of Liars aren’t incendiary, exotic or necessarily very cool. They aren’t angry at the world, they live in a house dubbed The Rocktagon where they play, record and drink beer. To label them Indie rock would be accurate at best, painfully obvious at worst. Lead Singer/Guitarist Jon Keenan has been described as "Mercurial", he needed to look up that word to make sure it was accurate. Bassist/Keyboardist/Vocalist Jeremy Holmesly has been described as a "multi-instrumentalist". Drummer Fernando De Urioste has been described as a "the one that plays drums." Heavily influenced by the Norwegian super group Bearwolfhorsen.

(Ed.: this post taken from School of Liars’ post on our DIY Open Blog, check out other Open Blog posts in the Deli Kitchen.)

Philadelphia

Thanks for an Amazing Time and Looking Forward to More!

Posted on:

Thank you all who came out for our showcase last Thursday at Kung Fu Necktie, especially Univox, The Homophones, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, and Hair Rocket! We love when our showcases have a mixed-bag of artists and works out to be such an amazing time. What did you miss? Well, Hair Rocket unleashed some new material on the audience as they warmed up the crowd and themselves preparing to hit the studio this past weekend to record a new EP. TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb might have been down a man/woman or two during their set for the newly expanded five-piece, but they still had people joyously gettin’ down and screaming for more at the end. Dan Bruskewicz’s partied-too-hard-last-night vocals and seedy backroom bar storytelling stand in the forefront of this raucous delight. While Dan Martino really holds down the backbone of the band, making him another local drummer along with Chris Wood (Grimace Federation) and Chris Ward (Pattern Is Movement) that we look forward to seeing and hearing perform live. What can I say about The Homophones? They just look like they are having so much fun on stage (especially when Jason Ferraro is dry-humping his band members, but you might be able to blame that on the complimentary backstage Irish whiskey) that it becomes infectious. Plus they write killer tunes – duh. Now, they just have to get off their asses and hit the studio already to lay down tracks for the radio stations to spin and make them big and famous. The mighty Univox premiered at our showcase their video to “Conan”, which you can see below, and just tore through their set with such ferocity that you couldn’t help but be sucked in while uncontrollably gyrating. All the bands absolutely rocked! It was truly one of those nights that make putting together Deli showcases all worth it for us. We look forward to seeing you at The Deli’s Anniversary Party on October 15 at Johnny Brenda’s with The Extraordinaires, An American Chinese and Power Animal as well as DJ Jersey Dan and visual art by Meredith Edlow. This is not to be missed so don’t get shut out and grab your tix early! Hopefully we’ll see you sooner than later. Cheers! (Photo by Meredith Edlow) – The Deli Staff
 

NYC

Anni Rossi plays Deli CMJ show on 10.21 at The Living Room

Posted on:

4AD artist Anni Rossi began her violin training at the tender age of three, so she’s been around music – studying it, exploring it, playing around with it – for most of her life. Perhaps that’s why she understands and appreciates the appeal of delicately rich music. “West Coast,” a gorgeous track from her album, Rockwell, is about taking a trip across the country. Rossi starts the song slowly, plucking strings and flirting with the listener; she then makes a quick shift, progressing into something very powerful. The shift is unanticipated, but extremely evocative, with emotional lyrics (“shifting my life and my belongings/ on a road trip that turns into going home / I can’t really feel it…”) and passion-filled instrumentation. Aside from her serious grasp of the instrument, her music can also be playful in a fun and folky way. Rossi bears quirky traces of Ingrid Michaelson and Regina Spektor – tracks like “Candyland” from her newest album, Heavy Meadow, are simple and sweet songs that float amidst sonic movement. And then there are the covers – like the one of Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody” – which are an adorably fresh take on popular music and a nod to Ms. Rossi’s creativity. – Vann Alex Daly

Chicago

From Our Open Blog: Silhavey @ Subt

Posted on:

Silhavey has released a video performing an excellent live cover of both the Colbert Report and Daily Show theme songs, replete with an overdose of American flags and suits and ties. In the video, Silhavey announces that they will be attending the rally in Washington on October 30th. After asking Colbert directly to actually perform at the march, the music is a tight, dead-on live cover of the theme songs, including live trumpet played by keyboard player and lead singer Stephen Dranger — and despite being live, the sound quality is actually quite good. If you want to see Silhavey in Chicago, come to their show at the Subterranean on Wednesday, October 13th at 8:00PM!

NYC

NYC Artists on the Rise: Headless Horseman

Posted on:

We saw Headless Horsemen open for Avey Tare’s DJ performance last Saturday ar Glasslands (it was actually their debut show), and they sounded like a quite unique band, notwithstanding obvious but not overwhelming Animal Collective influences. Bizarre, often mechanical sounding samples and high pitch vocals that are quirky and soulful at once are the recurring signature sound of this duo, that plays live with an extended lineup of musicians. Their textured and structurally complex tunes could be described as a more industrial/soul version of Javelin. Their home recorded 5 song EP will be released on October 31, but can be already streamed in its entirety here.

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Featured Artist(s) of the Month: It’s a King Thing

Posted on:

We had a chance to catch up with our recent poll winner and Featured Artist(s) of Month It’s a King Thing’s Brian Meitz. We were happy to learn that he discovered a new favorite track from one of his poll running mates and that he made us a mixtape which is the first from all the artists that we have interviewed. Feel free to cop it for your own collection.
 
The Deli: How did It’s a King Thing start?

Brian Meitz: It’s a King Thing started when I was in college a few years ago. I wrote a bunch of songs and then recorded them with Dave Downham at the Gradwell House. After the first record was recorded, I formed a band with Steve, Mike and our friend Evan. Evan moved to Chicago [to] play music and to pig out on elephant ears and Johnny and Jay joined shortly thereafter. We’ve had this lineup for a couple of years or so.

TD:Where did the band name come from?

BM: It was written on a sticker I found at a video store I was working at. It had a king with a mustache and a lion in a robe. I found it while putting away copies of White Chicks.

TD:What are your biggest musical influences?

BM:The standard answer I give on this is the Lemonheads, Weezer before they started doing whatever it is they’re doing these last few years, Weston, The Figgs, Ben Kweller. Here’s a list of 10 songs I don’t think I’ll get sick of. I made you a .zip (http://www.dinerstate.net/deli.zip ) cause I want you to hear how hard they rule.

Evan Dando – “Frying Pan”; Mary Lou Lord – “I Figured You Out”; Weston – “Retarded”; Brooke – “9 Lives”; Bugs Eat Books – “San Marosa”; Alphaville – “Forever Young”; Broken Social Scene – “Anthems For a Seventeen Year Old Girl”; Donovan – “Catch The Wind”; Pavement – “Spit On a Stranger”; Sloan – “Marquee and the Moon”

TD:What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?

BM: Locally, I like the new Juston Stens and Get Real Gang EP. The new Goodnight Lights album, The Atomic Square, In Grenada, Makeout Party are all awesome. Ages and By Surprise from Jersey have albums coming out soon that I’m pumped for. I just heard The Quelle Source a couple months ago. They rule. Gypsy Death and You, a band we were in the poll with, have this song called “Smile” that’s pretty awesome. Of course, Dr. Dog.

TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?

BM: Van Halen at the Spectrum during the Balance tour. My uncle took my brother and I when we were in 6th and 8th grade. I was fat and wore a Kermit the Frog shirt where he was posing on a bench like Forrest Gump.
 
TD: What do you love about Philly?

BM: Charlie Manuel.

TD: What do you hate about Philly?

BM: Parking.

TD: What are your plans for 2010?

BM: 2010’s been fun. Our album (which is available for free at http://ww.itsakingthing.com) got a bunch more downloads than I thought it would. We’re gonna play a show at Lake Kandle, a Halloween show at The Auction House in Audubon, NJ, and we’re gonna do a Kickstarter project to press Buffalo on vinyl. We have a bunch of cool bundles planned. Some of which include a double date with my parents, open mic comedy. Baby sitting.

TD: What was your most memorable live show?

BM: I have fond memories of all of our shows except one in Allentown when we first started playing. Fat dude, asshole, biker bouncers and $3 waters. No fun.

TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?

BM: Turkey, mayo, tomato, American cheese on white bread with root beer.
 
(Photo by Nick Kessler)
 
– The Deli Staff
 
L.A.

The Deli Los Angeles is looking for writers!

Posted on:

Readers, listen up!

Do you want access to the coolest shows and score great albums from local LA artists before they’re released? The Deli Los Angeles is looking for volunteer staff writers, not only for the website but to help us out on our next print issue as well.

The ideal candidate will have a passion and understanding for our scene here in LA, great writing chops, and the ability to commit to at least three months of staff duty here with us at the Deli. Journalism majors looking for resume experience are more than welcome to apply. Not a writer? Then spread the word!

If you’re interested, please send a brief bio as well as a few writing examples over to angelo@thedelimagazine.com with the subject line "Staff Position". Can’t wait to hear from you all!

-Angelo Lorenzo