Coming in at #2 on our recent round of Open Submissions is DC based pop vocalist Margot MacDonald who’s recent release Canvas showcases her a cappella skills. She’s no stranger to topping lists either as she’s been recognized as NPR Music’s Favorite Discoveries after the 2013 CMJ Music Festival. Check out her skills below then see her live at The Dunes on Jan 10.

We are really not shocked that DC’s dream pop group The Sea Life were highly voted in our recent round of Open Submissions. Merely a 3 second listen to their EP Transitions and you know you’ve got a stellar band that needs to be heard. Check out the EP below and then see them live at the 9:30 Club on Jan 25.

In case you missed it, Brooms’ latest release from last year, ‘Fuzzy Waters,’ is about as close to New Orleans as you’re liable to come while still being stuck nearer to the Hudson. If lead singer Matt Cascella’s hoarse tenor doesn’t pull you in with his enchanted screams in tracks like ‘Something Happened Along the Way,’ just wait until you hear some of the brilliant orchestrations behind band mate Brett Crudgington’s horn and string arrangements (and I think I may have heard a toaster in there somewhere too) found throughout the ride. This is singer-songwriter music for fans of early Randy Newman, or late Tom Waits, operating by a simple and effective policy: just because you’re baring your soul, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. Check out ‘Front of the Plane’ below. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

The full results for the NYC Year End Poll’s ALT FOLK submissions are here.

Greg Banks, hailing originally from Louisiana, has been infusing the airwaves with his Big Easy sultry croon since 2007. Silky and soulful, he vacillates from a classic R n’ B lilt in “Magazine Street” to a more robust vocalization reminiscent of recent Andre3000 in “Brooklyn Girl.” There is definitely a 90’s vibe that permeates his catalogue, a nod to the New Jack Swing pioneered by Bobby Brown with hits like “My Prerogative.” The vibes of the 90’s may be making a comeback, but Greg Banks is way ahead of the curve. – Open Submissions Hip Hop category full results here. – BrokeMc

The four piece band of indie pop-rockers and one of the newer additions to the local Indie scene known as Charly Bliss, take the raggedy but radiant vocals of Eva Grace Hendricks and combine them with the band’s inherent knack for tense power rock. Their newest single released and recorded at Converse Rubber Tracks last month titled “Clean” exemplifies this, with its stinging turns, distortion and catchy rhythm and lyrics. They are set to play Brooklyn’s Muchmore’s on 1/12 with Big Tusk and The Rotaries. Listen to the staggering single below! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!