Philadelphia

Lovable Weirdos Univox at PhilaMOCA Jan. 18

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It seems like some kind of egregious sin to keep going back to “Tonight,” the A-side to Univox‘s latest 7-inch single, but I make no apologies for my repeat plays. Don’t blame me; blame that song’s heady mix of outrageous levels of glam and heartstring-tugging. Univox carries a torch for anthemic, glitter-smeared revivalist power pop, a niche that no local group before them had managed (or tried) to elevate to such heights, and it’s doubtful that anybody is going to try to knock them off that pedestal now. They’re making a triumphant return to the stage this evening at PhilaMOCA with Brooklyn’s Pow-Wow! and Philly’s Acres of Diamonds and Lux Perpetua – all similarly-spirited weirdos. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8:00pm, $7 – $10, All Ages – Alyssa Greenberg 

Philadelphia

The Philly Opry w/Birdie Busch at JB’s January 18

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The Philly Opry, a storied event where local artists come together to honor classic Americana artists, returns to Johnny Brenda’s tonight for its 3rd annual event. But tonight’s Opry is an extra special one since it doubles as the record release party for Birdie Busch’s new album, Birdie Busch and the Greatest Night. The ambitious LP features a playlist of songs that the artist has conceptualized since her 2006 debut The Ways We Try, and was crowd-sourced using PledgeMusic, a fundraising site that also donates proceeds to a non-profit of the musician’s choice. It was also the first time that Busch was able to step into the recording studio with her full backing band, and the occasion was captured by Nathan Sabatino, who previously worked on Dr. Dog’s Be the Void. Birdie and her band have much to celebrate tonight, and they’ll be joined by Boston-based string band Joy Kills Sorrow and guitarist Jason Loughlin. BTW: She’ll also be performing an improvised live score to a film with Carl Cheeseman this Tuesday at PhilaMOCA for Tuesday Tune-Out. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford St, 9pm, $12 – $15, 21+ – Bill McThrill

NYC

NYC bands on the rise: The Ugly Club plays The Studio on 01.25

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New Jersey psych rockers The Ugly Club (who placed 4th in our recent Psych Rock submissions to our Best of 2012 poll) stand out from the pack of guitar drone peers by placing sonic emphasis on keyboards (and – at times – horns). Their sound is less noisy, at times even borderline folky, with clearly understood vocals and lyrics delivered more emotionally than many of this genre’s counterparts. “Loosen Up” maintains ‘psych’ elements within a more structured pop format, allowing the aforementioned keyboard textures to provide improvisational patterns. “Under The Great Wave” (streaming) pulses with a heart-tugging pathos, adding trumpets and falsetto vocals to the mix, further contributing to the tracks sentimentally grandiose feeling. The band this week will be at the Railhouse in Rahway, NJ on the 19th, and then at The Studio at Webster on January 25th. – Dave Cromwell

Philadelphia

New Track: “I Can’t Sleep” – D. Ryan Belski

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Below is the insomniatic new track "I Can’t Sleep," the first taste of an upcoming album from D. Ryan Belski (of Arrah and the Ferns and formerly know as The Divine Lorraine). He’ll be performing an all acoustic set next Saturday, January 26 at The Random Tea Room.

NYC

Brooks Robertson wins Portland’s Best of 2012 Readers and Fans Poll!

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Deli Readers,

The Deli Portland’s Best of 2012 Readers and Fans’ Poll for local emerging artists is over, thanks to all those who cast their vote in support of the emerging local bands and artists in our list of nominees. Congrats to Brooks Robertson  for being The Deli’s Readers Best Portland Artist of 2012. Here’s this poll’s top 10 chart.

Stay tuned for the composite chart, to be released soon, which will include the point nominees accumulated from the jurors and Deli writers’ votes, and will crown The Deli’s Best Emerging Portland Artist of 2012.

The Deli’s Staff

 
ARTIST
VOTES
 
1
Brooks Robertson
 360
2
A Happy Death
228
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3
The Mormon Trannys
150
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4
Catherine Feeny
 94
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5
Ancient Heat
88
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6
No More Parachutes
72
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7
Eidolons
70
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8
When the Broken Bow
65
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9
Sons of Huns
49
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10
Appendixes
45
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Portland

A Happy Death Places 2nd in The Deli Portland’s Best of 2012 Readers and Fans Poll

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A Happy Death’s relentless gigging, unrestrained energy and vintage style has catapulted them through the past year and brought them some well-deserved attention in the Portland scene. Their songs are both catchy and chaotic; their style dark and riotous with a touch of noir. Keep an eye on these guys, their psychedelic sounds aren’t showing any signs of slowing down in 2013. – Benjamin Toledo

New England

Check out this gem from Amherst, MA: California X

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Shredding is a way of life for some people. Exhibit A: the dudes that make up California X. Contrary to their chosen band name, they hail from Amherst, MA. Get blitzed with their guitar-driven rock with plenty of gang vocals and tearin it up with OD guitar solos. Their song “Sucker” goes over two minutes without vocals coming in, plenty of time to get some righteous head banging in. They call it fun-rock, I call it F-yea rock. If you dig yourself some Fang Island and Andrew WK, get this on your speakers ASAP. – Hillary Anderson

Fri. 1/18 – Somerville, MA @ PA’s Lounge  w/ Dig Safe, Sneeze, No Fun RSVP
Sat. 1/19 – New Market, NH @ Fuckingham Palace   w/ Young Leaves, Betty Nico RSVP

Portland

The Mormon Trannys Place 3rd in The Deli Portland’s Best of 2012 Readers and Fans Poll

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The Mormon Trannys are on a mission to save confused and oppressed souls through the gospel of punk rock and I love them for it. By combining a message of acceptance with a comedic and satirical presentation their performance is without a doubt one of the most unique in town and also one of the most enjoyable. Congratulations to these guys for placing 3rd in the viewer’s choice poll, keep up the good work. – Benjamin Toledo  


 

San Francisco

Black Cobra Vipers Play Art Sex, Give Interview

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With Mac Demarco slithering onto the scene as some kind of hipster anti-sweetheart, I think it’s safe to say slime is in. Slime is SF three-piece Black Cobra Vipers’ main jam.

Of course, there’s the name. I’ve taken a vow to start a band called Black Cobra Viper Anacondas someday.

They’ve got their self-proclaimed sound, "secret art sex," which, for lack of any better pigeonhole, works as well as any other; maybe something to do with yacht rock, or jazz, or lo-fi with a keyboard or something, I don’t know. Sure, why not. Secret art sex it is.

Then, there’s the lead singer’s propensity for treating each note like a rubber band to be stretched and snapped and messed with—more pitch bends than pitches, and just about as emotive as it gets. It’s really something to be reckoned with.

They put on a feverish show, and they’re currently in the process of recording something, so keep your ears and schedules open. Also, they gave me some of my favorite interview responses to date.

Philadelphia

New Track: “New Old” – Restorations

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Here’s an impassioned new track from Restorations called "New Old." It’s the first offering from their upcoming 7-inch that is being produced by Miner Street Recordings’ Jon Low, which is due out March 5. There will also be a full-length record to follow.

L.A.

Cobalt Cranes “Head in the Clouds”

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A woolly, all-too-familiar bassline is the backbone of Head in the Clouds, instantly providing the image of an unkempt vigilante with a thirst for justice. There’s a sense of mystery, the song marking its territory with each lingering chord. And then the soft, fairly indistinguishable vocals of Tim Foley and Kate Betuel come into view from afar, coating the grainy surface with a sparkling glare. Cobalt Cranes create an expansiveness without actually dwelling upon it, and opts to charge headfirst into battle instead of endlessly building into a rising action. This is the first taste off their debut LP of the same name, which drops on April 9th via Anticc Records.