NYC

Deli Best of NYC 2011 – Submissions Results for HIP HOP/WORLD/OTHER: The Sway Machinery, Xenia Rubinos, Deathrow Tull

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Results are in for the HIP HOP/WORLD/OTHER Category peoples! And yes, we are talking about the submissions results related to our Year End Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists (we wish there was a shorter way to call it…)

NYC YEAR END POLL 2011 OPEN SUBMISSIONS RESULTS FOR HIP HOP/WORLD/OTHER
Jurors: Jason Behrends (Deli Chicago), QD Tran (Deli Philly), Mike Levine (Deli NYC)

– QUALIFIED TO THE POLL’S NEXT ROUND
The artists in this list qualify for the next phase of the poll, and will be added to the bands nominated by our jury of local scenemakers.

1a. The Sway Machinery

The Sway Machinery have built an unlikely combination of Jewish Cantorial music with afrobeat grooves, and the result expresses a hidden energy common to both. Klezmer and Malian tribal music aren’t usually said in the same sentence, but this band made it their mission when recording with the legendary Timbuku songstress, Khaira Arby. This is a group that honors different traditions while bringing them together into something new.


ComScore

1b. Xenia Rubinos

Offering an amalgamation of exotic sounding vocals and imaginative sonic ingredients, Xenia Rubinos could be described as the Animal Collective of Bossanova. Her tunes almost magically blend the warmth of South American music and the intellectual edge of the NYC avant-indie scene. Xenia’s debut album will be released on January 16.

3. Deathrow Tull

One half party time hip-hop, one half back-to-church soul, Deathrow Tull brings different worlds together to play in the same room. Broke MC and Dyalekt’s back-and-forth psychedelia is perfectly balanced by Ihsan Muhammed’s elastic vocal range, taking the seven-piece’s funk up to new heights with every hook.

– ALMOST QUALIFIED TO THE POLL’S NEXT ROUND
These artists had outstanding ratings from our jurors (they all shared a final score between 7.330 and 7.66 out of 10) but won’t qualify to the next round of our year end poll.

4a. Argotec
Anyone complaining about El-P not releasing records fast enough needs to check out Argotec and quit whining. Here’s a post-apocalyptic rap duo that makes it their mission to cram as much information down your skull as the sonic spectrum will allow. Complete with glitchy laptops and punishing beats, Alex Argot and Rich Courage take technology, politics and culture and mainline it direct to your system. Dark and uncompromising, their debut LP Wherewithal showcases what’s great about NY’s hip-hop underground.

4b. Gabriel Stark
Gabriel Stark is the emcee next door. He doesn’t deck out in jewelry, he hustles his music old-school by adding his everyday lyrics to artists ranging from the Supremes to Taylor Swift. Stark’s released an enormous amount of material over the past couple years, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Every bit as much a producer as rapper, Stark’s ambition and humour comes through in everything he touches.

6a. LiKWUiD + Gummy Bears & Champagne
Like it or not, Likwuid has written the Camel toe anthem of our generation. Nothing’s off limits for this Harlem-based femcee. From singing anthem ‘Go L’ in dollar vans, to challenging gender roles in Lyrically Andrageneous, her new record Gummy Bears & Champagne is not for the casual listener, but it won’t take you long to fall in love with her either.

6b. Max Burgundy
Emcee/producer Max Burgundy finds a place for all his emotions in his beats. A romantic at heart, the ups and downs of love are catalogued over immensely varied beats. His latest EP #Waiting marries bells and bird calls together in Hey Love!, and flanged out guitar loops to bumping glitch grooves in Max Don’t. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Burgundy builds a wide world of sound to house his enormous emotional range.

6c. Blue Belt
After listening through to wack wednesdays, (a group of b-sides the band released every Wednesday over the past year) it’s easy to think I know Brooklyn quartet Blue Belt pretty well. Dismissing with most hip-hop convention, the group discusses everything from Brian Eno to vocoded gchat conversations in their verses, while turning loops from Asian instruments like the koto and shamisen into a backdrop as smooth as anything Tribe Called Quest has produced. A welcome surprise of showmanship and detailed composition, listening to Blue Belt is an immersive experience. Come prepared to forget what you thought you could do with a sample.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
These artists also had really good ratings from our jurors: Try This at Home and MaG.

NYC

Weekly Feature: Starlight Girls

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Starlight Girls create devilishly charming ‘60s-influenced pop music that can make your day. After being our NYC Artist of the month back in 2011, they just qualified for our year end poll in the Indie Pop category! From the swaggering, perky organ-like synths to the candy-coated hooks, “Gossip” is a testament of pop perfection that doesn’t need to rely on the rumor mill to grab people’s attention. – Read Nancy Chow’s Q&A with the band here.

NYC

Weekly Feature: Union St. Preservation Society plays Spike Hill on 01.06

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It’s not often you see the words “Brooklyn” and “Americana string band” used in the same sentence, but Union Street Preservation Society brings the two together seamlessly. Comprised of five members from all parts of the country, the jazz-infused string quintet introduces upbeat rhythms, perfect instrument pairings, and musicality that sings without words. Their EP Spring to Rust, brings back the American roots tradition, full of life and bluegrass bounce that can lift you up and mellow you out all in one album.  The band includes, Sara Bouchard (vox/mando), Jason Bertone (vox/bass),  Harrison Hollingsworth (vox/fiddle), David Lieberman (vox/rhythm guitar) and Alex Borsody (lead guitar). Union Street Preservation Society is the ultimate hybrid of solid musicians, genuine roots feel, and that old country sound that brings you back to the lazy days of summer in the heart of America. – See them live at Spike Hill tonight with This Way and Frankenpine (01.06) and read Christina Morelli’s interview with the band here.

NYC

The Denzels release Easy Tiger EP on 01.11 at Glasslands

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The Denzels first caught the Deli’s attention in 2011, soon after the release of their debut EP, "Slow Death." Earnest and smart, with solid hooks and piercing lyrics, they continue to grip both heads and hearts with their latest effort, "Easy Tiger." Tackling love with a brutal honesty, their vocals here are more a hair more polished, with an Editors-esque depth, but the instrumentals retain their spirited alt-rock ethos, a nostalgic mixture of mid to late 90s college alternative and early 2000s alt-rock, like Third Eye Blind mixed with Razorlight. While two tracks are available for free right now on their bandcamp, their whole EP will be debuted on at the release party on January 11th at Glasslands. – allison levin

New England

Empty Phrases — Groundhog Day (single)

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Empty Phrases‘ new single Groundhog Day is jam-packed with enough rockin’ riffs to get any indie-rocker up and dancing. The two songs included on the single, Groundhog Day and Captain, are part of a new record the band plans to be releasing this spring.

After listening to both songs, it is quite clear where the band gets many of its influences. Groundhog Day is reminiscent of Minus the Bear with its spacey effects and intricate guitar lines. One can hear a bit of Radiohead thrown into the mix as well. This is a track that can certainly get people up and moving on the dance floor.

The infectious lead guitar on Captain, accompanied by a pounding rhythm section, begs a comparison to Incubus, with lead singer Ben Raymond’s powerful voice blending well with the instrumentation.

Overall, this single was very impressive. If these two songs are any indication, Empty Phrases’ new album will be well-worth hearing.–Daniel McMahon

New England

Surrounded by Holidays — Sun Thief EP

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Surrounded By Holidays’ latest release, Sun Thief EP, takes traditional ideas about pop-punk and garage rock and transforms them into its own unique sound. The opening track, Cerulean Skies, reminds me of Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, with its heavily effected instruments and reverb-soaked vocal melody.  However, that sound is not kept for long, as the second track, Backflips, bursts to life with a surge of energy. The driving force behind the track is an unlikely source for a traditional pop-punk style song: the synth. Catchy synth lines are peppered throughout the EP, adding a refreshing layer to the music.

The EP takes another sharp turn during Don’t Fall Again, starting off with a finger-tapping bass riff, then emerging into a Dinosaur Jr.-esque rock song.

Overall, I enjoyed Surrounded By Holidays’ new material.  My one major critique would be that the production and mixing seemed unbalanced at times, but for the most part this was a solid set of songs.  Not many bands are open-minded enough to experiment within a genre (or multiple genres) and I think this is a band that understands the importance of drawing on a multitude of styles to achieve a good sound.  The entire EP is available for download on their bandcamp site, so be sure to head on over and give it a listen.

Also, try to catch them tomorrow, Sat. Jan 7, at 3065 Live in East Wareham, MA. The show starts at 5, it’s all ages and there are a bunch of other bands playing. For more details click here.–Daniel McMahon

Philadelphia

Radio Eris CD Release Party at M Room Jan. 6

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Multimedia art enthusiasts and spacey psych rock veterans Radio Eris have been hard at work on their 6th studio album At Your Service. And it will feature the usual blend of spoken word performances, ambient sounds, mind-bending noise and then some. The band is sure to pull out all the stops during their album release celebration tonight, and they have invited many familiar faces from their Eris Temple Artspace and Discordinalia series at the Tiberino Museum to join them. When he isn’t masquerading as one of the mysterious Radarmen, Playboy Bunny Savage moonlights as a hilarious songwriter who aspires to make you have a serious eargasm. David E. Williams is an eccentric composer of everything from symphonic pop to abrasive electronica and everywhere in between. Add in the ethereally grungy psych rock of Avataria and the musical spoken word of husband/wife duo Happy Gift, and you’re in for an interesting evening of underground arts. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, $7, 21+ – Bill McThrill

New England

The Doctors Fox, School for Robots, Daniel Harris — Fri. Jan 6 @ PA’s Lounge

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If the week’s monotony has you feeling delirious, it would be a good idea to start the weekend off with an eclectic night of music in Somerville. PA’s Lounge will be host to three Boston-area artists for a show this Friday, January 6th. On the bill are The Doctors Fox (pictured above), School For Robots, and Daniel Harris.

Opening act Daniel Harris — who also provides glockenspiel, guitar, and vocals for The Doctors Fox– plays experimental anti-folk and aims to create ambient soundscapes. Following Harris is School For Robots, a band that has been putting out material since the early 2000s. School For Robots play an experimental mix of upbeat, alternative rock with funk influences as well as occasional electro-mariachi tendencies.

Playing last are The Doctors Fox, a smorgasbord of bluegrass, rock, pop, klezmer, reggae, funk, and general whimsy. Expect violins and new material in addition to songs from their 2009 album, Plural Non-Possessive.

Both School For Robots and The Doctors Fox will be debuting new band members at the show.

PA’s Lounge
Union Square, Somerville MA
9:00 p.m. (doors at 8:30), 21+, $10

–Sarah Ruggiero

New England

Deli Best of New England 2011 — Open Submissions Results

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Our Deli jurors just finished rating all the New England artists that submitted to be considered for our Year End Best of New England Poll for Emerging Artists – and here are the results for you to check out! The artists in this list will qualify for the next phase of the poll, and will be added to the bands nominated by our jury of local scenemakers.

P.S. If you are interested in understanding how our Year End Poll for Emerging Artists works, please go here.

-QUALIFIED TO THE POLL’S NEXT ROUND-

1. Night Fruit

night fruit

Boston’s Night Fruit blew the deli editors away, this shoegaze trio came out on top in New England and it’s no wonder why. With a dreamy ambience, their music drifts along pulling you into their undertow giving you just enough time to breathe before their music swells up again leaving you gasping for more. Check out their bandcamp for their latest release, Dark Horse.

2. Guillermo Sexo

Arty noise rock, alt-rock, psych-folk. All those terms have been used to describe Guillermo Sexo’s sound and, to be honest, they’re all appropriate. Having been around for several years and coming off the heels of just releasing their fourth album, Secret Wild, Guillermo Sexo know how to keep it interesting, maintain their own sound, and keep it fresh and exciting while doing so. Peppered with ’90s influences, from the nitty-gritty likes of Sonic Youth to the ambience of Mazzy Star, this is one band we suggest you start listening to if you haven’t already.

3. Radio Control

It’s hard to believe that the huge sound of Radio Control comes from just two people, but maybe that’s why it’s so great; there’s not much getting in the way of this duo’s natural talent. A self-proclaimed "punk rock pop" band from Somerville, their sound is raw and energized. The best part is, they’re not trying to rip off other famous duos (White Stripes). No, they’re doing their own thing and we only expect them to get better. Catch them on their Northeast tour this month with Thick Shakes, dates are listed here.

4. Dirty Bombs

This Boston-based electro-rock band sure knows how to have a good time all the time. A "supergroup" of sorts, (the members are comprised of ex-members of Televandals, The Luxury, and Conservative Man) they’ve taken their talents and combined them into synthpop beats that will find you out on the dance floor going berserk. They’re not the cheesy kind of dance music, they’re the kind that are the whole package: good vocals, great lyrics, and a synthesizer that will make you want to dance for days. Overall, this band is a hell of a lot of fun.

5. I Kill Giants

This four-piece math/jazz-rock band (all students at Berklee College of Music) reigns from Boston. They blend genres seamlessly, but at the core of it, one can’t help but rock out to the captivating hooks and bellowing chants. Although we feel the best is yet to come, what they’ve given us so far is pretty damn irresistable.

6. Il Abanico

The core of Il Abanico are native Columbians Juliana Ronderos and Nicolas Losada who met in Boston. Their music is a refreshing conglomerate of worldly rhythms, indie rock guitars, and lightly accented vocals. The sound is at once familiar and exotic, combining for a sprightly, whimsical treat of an EP.

-ALMOST QUALIFIED TO THE POLL’S THE NEXT ROUND-
These artists had outstanding ratings from our editors (they all shared a final score of 7.75 out of 10) but won’t qualify to the next round of our poll based on this round. They are all really good though, so we recommend you check them out!

Movers & Shakers

This rootsy Americana band packs a punch. If you think "Americana" isn’t your thing, you’ll be singing a different tune once you give Movers & Shakers a listening to. With garage rock organs on some tunes and country-tinged slide guitar on others, there’s something refreshing and uplifting about this band.

Sore Eros

Dreamy, fuzzy, warm and hazy psychedelia. Sore Eros have the ability to put the listener to sleep, but in a good way. It’s music to drift off to, whether you absorb it or it absorbs you, it’s a pleasant, blissful feeling.

The Suicide Dolls

This Connecticut-based trio draws on influences from bands like Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth and The Pixies. Now, you might think a lot of bands cite those same influences, and you’re correct. However, the Suicide Dolls turn their influences into some major inspiration. With their searing lyrics and heavy hooks, this band is running full steam ahead, never stopping to look back.

Philadelphia

In Studio Performance Video: “Turn Around” (HotBox Studio Session) – Ground Up’s Malakai & Azar w/The Lawsuits

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Check out the collaboration between Ground Up and The Lawsuits as they bring the heat from HotBox Studio! If you can remember that the track “Turn Around” was the first one we posted from Ground Up back in the day (haha…which really isn’t that far back, especially in dog years), then thanks for sticking around and paying attention. Well, emcees Malakai and Azar teamed up with their pals The Lawsuits to bring us this bluesy slow-burner to get blazed to. So light up, watch, listen and enjoy! (BTW: You can also catch Ground Up live tonight at MilkBoy Philly opening for Asher Roth.)

Philadelphia

The Sea Around Us Headline at JB’s Jan. 5

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As a music writer, it’s always difficult when you come across a band whose own description of their material you quite enjoy – “the sudden blast of sunshine cascading over a snow-capped landscape.” Local four-piece The Sea Around Us (nice band name too) create contemplative, languid tunes with splashes of sonic waves crashing on heavy hearts. They’ll be taking the stage tonight at Johnny Brenda’s for what I believe will be their first time headlining the beloved music venue, but before you head out to the show this evening, “name your price” and grab a copy of their self-titled 5-song EP HERE. They’ll be joined by fellow Philadelphians Son Step and Atlanta’s Red Sea. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford, 9pm, $8, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman