This year saw The War on Drugs continuing their touring ways in support of 2011’s critically-acclaimed album Slave Ambient and performing at huge events like Lollapalooza and the CBGB Festival. Adam Granduciel recently mentioned that he has booked some studio time down south in March to begin recording new material, which is always good to hear. But judging by the time it took for their most recent LP to be finished, who knows when it will see the light of day? I’m guessing that only the rock gods do. Well, before all that occurs, the band will be wrapping up 2012 with two SOLD OUT shows at Johnny Brenda’s that will see a portion of the ticket proceeds going to MANNA. Tonight they’ll be joined by Alex Bleeker and the Freaks (featuring members of Real Estate) and Arc in Round, who also had a good year thanks to their self-titled LP being released via La Société Expéditionnaire. The War on Drugs’ New Year’s Eve bash will feature performances by the impressive Avery Rosewater and the explosive guitar-laden dirge of Purling Hiss. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford St., 9pm, Dec. 30 & Dec. 31 SOLD OUT, 21+ – Bill McThrill
The Starting Line SILYMI 10-Year Anniversary Tour at E Factory Dec. 30
The primal impulse to tie your hometown to an epoch of music is as old as time. It’s often associated with genres of a certain vintage. And Philly is far from barren of genres that sprang up on its streets. It’s a victory for the Millennial set of Philly, though, that pop-punk has endured since the TRL days, when The Starting Line first put out their buoyant debut Say It Like You Mean It. Now, after a career studded with fest appearances and side projects such as frontman Kenny Vasoli’s Vacationer, they’re celebrating the albums ten-year anniversary, highlighted by a sure to be jam-packed, sold out show tonight at the Electric Factory. Anyone who ever bobbed their head to “Best of Me” on the way to study hall in the morning will be hard pressed to resist the emotional tug of this reunion. Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th St., 8pm, SOLD OUT, All Ages – Alyssa Greenberg
Boston Band Plumerai releases album ‘Mondegreen’ with Lineup Changes
Released late October, ‘Mondegreen’ is Plumerai’s second full-length album, and their first with new singer Eliza Brown. While listening, I couldn’t help but wonder if the singer was French: her symbolic lyrics and breathy, jazzy melodies made me feel like I was in a club in Paris, being crooned to by an attractive lady in a sequined dress. Turns out Ms. Brown is indeed French, although the band is from Boston. For their part, on many tracks we hear shoegaze guitar and bright cymbals, although the sonic landscape has been described well elsewhere as ‘moody’. – Geoff Noble
rjd2 Constructing & Deconstructing Sound at TLA Dec. 29
Master sonic manipulator rjd2 is set to perform tonight at the TLA. Known for his free-flowing constructions, which stretch a wide range of the musical quilt, but are centralized in the hip-hop arena, rjd2 re-imagines melodic organization, deconstructing the elemental only to later build them up into a fresh organic chemistry of sound. The results shine a spotlight on what sonic interplay is all about, not only stimulating the mind, but also allowing the body and booty to let go. He’ll also be pulling double duty opening for himself when he teams up with Roots collaborator Aaron Livingston for their soulful project Icebird. Also rounding out the bill will be the funky hip-hop combination of Hezekiah and Tone Whitfield known as Johnny Popcorn. TLA, 334 South Street, 8pm, $35 day of show/$47 VIP, All Ages (Photo by Concerted Effort) – Michael Colavita
Deli Best of Chicago 2012 – Open Submission Results!
The results are in from the Open Submissions stage for our Chicago Year End Poll for Emerging Artists. All of the submissions were ranked by Deli Editors from other scenes and the list of acts that have advanced to our Readers’/Fans’ Poll phase are below.
A quick reminder that these list are not final nor complete – most of the bands accessing the final stage of the poll are currently being chosen by our local "scene expert" jurors – we’ll publish the complete list of nominees very soon.
3. The Congregation Alt-Soul 7.66
4. Shuteye Electro-Pop 8.5 7 7.5 7.66
5. Glittermouse Indie Rock 8 8.5 6 7.5
6. Xoe Wise Songwriters 7.33
8. Jennifer Hall Songwriters 7.33
9. Many Places Alt Folk 7.33
10. Marko Casso Mellowcore 7.33
11. Milano Indie Pop 7.33
12. Audiences Alt. Rock 7.33
Honorable Mentions (score above 7)
The Deli’s Top 5 Raddest Things To Do On NYE in Music City
The Deli likes to celebrate post-apocalyptic life and the start of a brand new year in style, so here’s a few quality ways to ring in the New Year with friends and family. (Oh, and we know the broke holiday blues all too well, so rest assured that cheap options are included.)
1. Old Crow Medicine Show and Pokey LaFarge at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Who wouldn’t want to folk the night away with this amazing Americana act and friends at the Ryman? It’s a musically religious experience, for country’s sake!
Price: $90+ Time: 9pm, 21+
2. 4th Annual Bash On Broadway with The Fray, Sixpence None The Richer, and Love & Death & Striking Matches. We’ve heard lots of good things about this event. This is definitely a family event and the tunes are listener-friendly to boot!
Price: Free! Time: 7pm, all ages
3. Bassnectar’s New Year’s Eve 2013 at the Bridgestone Arena with Treasure Fingers and Two Fresh. For all of those whose heart goes “wub wub wub” at the thought of New Year’s with a dubstep and electronica extravaganza, this is for you! If you have holiday money to burn, this show will NOT disappoint fans.
Price: $50+ Time: 9pm, all ages
4. Jesse Lee & Brazilbilly and The Don Kelley Band at Robert’s Western World. A real lower Broadway experience isn’t complete without a trip to Robert’s. Honky-tonk favorites Jesse Lee & Brazilbilly will help you two-step your way into 2013 with good music and cheap booze. (They have excellent hamburgers too, should you be in the need of a late-night snack.)
Price: Free! Time: always music from 11am-2am, 21+
5. NYE Funk n’ Soul Ball at the Exit/In with The Dynamites feat. Ruby Velle and Space Capone. Should you desire a celebration away from the predictable madness of downtown, you can still get your party on at this excellent, moderately-priced show.
Price: $20+ Time: 8pm, 21+
There is an endless list of things to do in Nashville on NYE 2013, but here’s where you can probably find The Deli. Please, party responsibly and be safe out there. Happy 2013, y’all! –Courtney Foster
Weekend Warrior, December 28 – 31
New Year’s Eve weekend is finally here giving the lucky few five days to do nothing but party down if they want. Where should you be when the ball drops? Obviously, hanging with us at our NYE party with Dangerous Ponies, Arrah and the Ferns, Slutever and Conversations with Enemies, who were just added to bill. Where are we going be? Well, not in West Philly as we originally planned due to the pitfalls of having it at a DIY venue, but we have a great space in Kensington to break some laws NYE Philly style. Keep yourself tuned in to the site for more details on how you can join us in being criminals!
Hello Echo: Video “Why are we Waiting?”
The multi-talented guitarist and vocalist Sean Aylward of Hello Echo, has created this short, sweet, and impressive claymation, stop-motion video for the song, “Why are we Waiting?” With a sound reminiscent of a more laid-back Fleet Foxes, this video is a perfectly endearing masterpiece for our short attention spans. – Jacqueline Caruso
Hello Echo "Why are we Waiting?" Official Video from Hello Echo on Vimeo.
Free Download: “Harmolidays” – Orbit to Leslie
Check out a calming, airy new song called "Harmolidays" from Orbit to Leslie! It’s the opening track off their latest charming chamber-pop album Whitemarsh Woods, which you can listen to in its entirety HERE.
Curly Castro Signs to Man Bites Dog Records
Congrats to Curly Castro for signing a record deal with Man Bites Dog Records (which houses releases from Roc Marciano, Copywrite, Vast Aire, Killah Priest, etc.)! The talented emcee is also part of hip-hop collective Wrecking Crew so we expect to see more collaborations with his cohorts on the upcoming album.
Staples of the NYC scene: Martha Wainwright
When you talk about Martha Wainwright, there’s a host of expectations that precede her. From her heralded lineage including Loudon Wainwright III (dad) and Rufus (her bro), to her controversial first single ‘Bloody Mother Fu*king As*hole,’ Martha seemed destined to conquer modern folk right out of the gate. And so far, she’s set out to move beyond her roots toward a more assertive approach that’s earned her praise from all angles. From playing with legend Emmylou Harris to recognition in worldwide tours, covering ground as far away as Japan. Her latest record ‘Come Home to Mama,’ brings her music back to her family, discussing what it means to become a new mother amidst the pain of dealing with the loss of her own mom. A grivous but refreshing glimpse into the artist’s vulnerabilities, set in her careful acoustic arrangements and raw alto. Martha’s over in England and Ireland for a little while next year, but take a listen to new song ‘Everything Wrong‘ from a recent performance below to get excited for when she comes back home.
Chill Moody Debut Headlining Performance at TLA Dec. 28
West Philly emcee Chill Moody is having a breakout year (if you caught his set at The Roots Picnic, then you should know why) so it will be quite a celebration when he closes it out with his debut headlining performance at the TLA tonight. He’ll also have some new material in tow from his forthcoming album RFM, which officially drops January 7, 2013. The record features one lone guest appearance from Freeway so you should probably lay down some cash that the Philly hip-hop veteran will be joining Chill for a song or two this evening. After all, he does live underneath the TLA stage. Obviously, that’s a joke, but the early-rising, bearded spitter has laid down bars with practically every emcee that has rolled through the venue this year so they might as well rent him a room. Also sharing in this momentous occasion with Chill will be Jade Alston, Mic Stew, Mont Brown and Pate. TLA, 334 South St., 10pm, $16, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman