New England Music Awards week continues with the three-piece Jatoba, a self-described “groove-grass” band that is nominated for Best in State: Vermont. The group combines traditional bluegrass tempos, bumping bass lines and an onslaught of other instruments including the sitar and the banjo. Jatoba has been on the local circuit since 2008 and released its first album “Death, Fire & Picnic Tables” in 2011.Here is what John Samison, who plays mandolin, acoustic guitar, sitar and mandola in the band, has to say.
Omega Swan released their single “Earthbound” on February 11th, with the underlying message: “We just want people to do whatever the f**k they want, no rules.” It’s stripped down and a little bit more New Wave than their party-heartier May 2013 “OS-1,” kind of what half of Devo would cook up in their garage. Personal objection to nihilism by and large aside (will no one think of the children?!), it’s a great track from a hard-rocking and endlessly entertaining band. A band that will be at the Other Basement this Valentine’s Day with Plastic Visions, Designer, Rachel, and Dogs of Oz, starting at 8pm and followed by a dance party DJ-ed by Treekeeper. If ever there was a night to get lucky, it would be this one. You’ll be leaving with a pocket full of panties. –Terra James-Jura
Our Year End Poll for Emerging Philly Artists was – as usual – a painstaking (and somewhat excruciating) process, but we pulled it off with remarkable flair!
Kudos to Americana-rock youngsters The Districts (photo by Harrison Knowles and video by HotBox Studios) for winning the poll! It was pretty obvious that few if any local artists had a better 2013, and things don’t seem to be slowing down for the Central PA transplants.
Huge thumbs up to "sex pop" outfit Night Panther and heavy psych rocker Chris Forsyth for placing second and third.
Here is how it all went down: First, we let the local bands submit their music (for free), and got our Deli editors to pick the nominees. Then, we polled a list of 35+ Philly music community experts (our jury) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each. Then, we polled our writers and readers. All were invited to participate.
If you’d like to geek-out to all the subtleties related to how this poll works, you can read its rules HERE (happy reading!). But if all you care about is the awesome new music Philly produced in the year 2013, then check out all the fine homegrown acts below. The talent and diversity in our city is astounding! Also, we’d like to give special thanks to our jurors for sharing their personal favorites with us. Enjoy!
List of Jurors: Dan Bisogno (Y-Not Radio, VICE, AEG Live), Jeff Blinder (Spazz Presents), Gabrielle Bonghi (Philly.com), Kate Bracaglia (Philly.com, The Key), Eric Bresler (PhilaMOCA), Zac Camagna (The Styrofoam Drone), Jessica Craft (Rock to the Future), Ryan Crump (Philly Drum Project), Mikele Edwards (Silk City), Nick Fanelli (The Fire, Guild Shows), Stacie George (Live Nation), Kevin Horn (Underground Arts, Bonfire), Ellei Johndro (Shadowscene), Marshall Kavanaugh (Dream Oven, Little Berlin), Kevin Kennedy (The Swollen Fox), Colin Kerrigan (Out of Town Films, Philly.com), Fred Knittel (Folkadelphia, The Key, WXPN), Josh T. Landow (Y-Not Radio), Carolyn Lederach (Sofar, Communion), Barrett Lindgren (Independent Promoter, Johnny Brenda’s), Jesse Lundy (Point Entertainment), Gordon Mays (MilkBoy Philly, Bonfire), Brian McTear (Weathervane Music), Jeff Meyers (The Boot & Saddle, Guild Shows), George Miller (JUMP Philly), Andy Molholt (Independent Promoter), Mark Schoneveld (YVYNYL), Stephanie Seiple (Tri State Indie), Matt Smith (HotBox Sessions), Jon Solomon (WPRB), Q.D. Tran (The Deli Magazine), Pat Troxell (Kung Fu Necktie, Bonfire), John Vettese (The Key, WXPN, City Paper), Nikki Volpicelli (The Key), Chris Ward (Johnny Brenda’s), Bruce Warren (WXPN, Some Velvet Blog, The Key)
BEST OF 2013 POLL FOR EMERGING PHILLY ARTISTS
****** FINAL RESULTS ******
Here’s a new self-produced track from rising emcee/producer GrandeMarshall called "Open," which seems the opposite of today’s theme. But it’s still your perogative to spark up and bump this loud at home. The single is off his upcoming album My Brother’s Keeper, which is scheduled for release thing spring via Fool’s Gold.
In what amounts to one of the biggest changes yet for his music, Ryan Hobler‘s latest single ‘See What You’re Doing To Me’ leaves behind many of the Jazz trappings of his earlier work, trading in 9th chord extensions for a breezier, bluesier tone. Picture every member of Local Natives coming together as an acoustic guitar-playing, highly emotive force of nature… and you’re close.
Hobler’s highly personal music has always been as joyful as it is mournful, and with this new single it’s as surprising as ever. Check out the new video below, and see how much eye shadow he was able to apply for this strange walk through the woods. See Ryan Hobler live at Rockwood Music Hall on 02.20. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Last month, I posted an article hyping the long-awaited release of Fax Holiday’s new EP, Big Fear. This month, I’m wicked excited to be able to post a review of the EP. The Fax Holiday guys have definitely stepped-up their game with these songs–each one sounds incredibly polished and well-balanced. The band really let their emotions come through on this record; there’s much more feeling in these tracks than in previous recordings.
The one aspect that really sets Fax Holiday apart for me is their choice of instrumentation–I love their autoharp. That being said, “Ears and Teeth” is probably my favorite track from Big Fear. The jangle from the autoharp adds an eerie/hypnotic feel to this Elliott Smith-meets-Wilco tune.
You can stream (and download for only $4!) Big Fear on Fax Holiday’s bandcamp page. Check out their Facebook for band news and show announcements.
In the epic, two part season finale of the Party Boyz podcast our favorite hosts turn the microphones on each other and we learn a bit about the rad girls (boyz) that make this podcast a possibility. The two brilliantly curated playlists that illustrate the conversation include songs by St. Vincent, Aan, Harlem, The Ghost Ease and a lot more. Listen to the first part below, check out the second part hereand be sure to give Party Boyz your attention via facebook to keep up with their latest news. – Ben
Streets of Laredo is the perfect band to get the many NYC country haters reconciled with their American music roots – which is bizarre, considering the band’s nucleus hails from New Zealand. Their songs, although within the canons of Americana, feature indie elements and a punkish attitude, and have a stompy quality that ignites an atmosphere of fun in any room – also thanks to a top notch live delivery, which we witnessed in person at last year’s Deli B.E.A.F. Fest and more recently at our stellar 3 stage CMJ 2013 show at Rockwood.
The band recently released two new EPs entitled "Vol I" and "Vol II," and just unveiled this stunning video for new single "Lonsdale Line." They will tour the East Coast in March and hit SXSW on their way south.
Prolific songwriting Michigan transplant Sam Cook-Parrott, who records under the moniker Radiator Hospital, always seems to so nonchalantly drop little nuggets of goodness on us. He most recently released a split cassette, Total Request, with Kyle Kaos via Already Dead Tapes. You can stream and download Radiator Hospital’s side below. "These songs were written and recorded upon request from Mr. Kaos." Keep warm, and enjoy!
Folk/rock outfit Canvas People only have three songs released, but those three reveal a talented trio worth watching. Honest songwriting and vivid storytelling color this band’s canvas, led by vocalist Kyle Taylor. Wes Maxwell (guitar) and Luke Williams (bass) lend harmonies, crafting a full, melodic sound. Expect more music soon, as the band plans to release their first full-length album, Sirens, by spring. –Written by Gillian Driscoll
Self-described slimegaze practitioners Total Slacker have released two videos supporting “Slip Away,” their February 12th album release on Blackbell Records. “Sometimes You Gotta Die” (streaming below) pairs the tracks ominous, unsettling pace with a classic teens-terrorized-in-the-woods parody. The amusing spin off of films like “The Blair Witch Project” and “Cabin In The Woods” serves as ample inspiration for director Norris Guncheon. The inevitable doom experienced by each member of the party is a perfect end for this song of rare intensity.
Follow-up single and video for “Keep The Ships At Bay” draws it’s spark from the exaggerated, reenactment scenes in television shows like Unsolved Mysteries. Directed by Nate Ford, the video features Tassy as narrator and Zoe as investigator while hyperbolic caricatures of Tucker and Emily steal a guitar (from Main Drag Music in Williamsburg!), raid a bodega and essentially go wild. The band has been quoted as also using bits of Paris Hilton’s “Good Time” video as an impetus for bombastic imagery – while a documented mutual admiration tweet exchange between the band and Ms. Hilton creates an additional element of wonder.
Total Slacker release show (which will also serve as The Deli’s issue #37 launch party) is tonight at Baby’s All Right. On the bill also Perfect Pussy, Life Size Maps and Honduras, more info here. – Dave Cromwell
Annie Girl and the Flight, Everyone is Dirty and Balms are set to bring their haunting styles of indie pop to The Hemlock Tavern in San Francisco, tonight. Balms describe their layered, shoegaze-influenced music as dark-pop, a moniker that is certainly fitting of the band’s sound. The trio envelops their delicate vocal melodies with a wash of guitar and reverb that is both foreboding and strangely mesmerizing.
Combining the grit of 90’s era Sonic Youth with the pop sensibilities of Jenny Lewis and Rilo Kiley, the Oakland’s Everyone is Dirty have established themselves as one of the East Bay’s most exciting emerging acts. Lead singer Sivan Gur-Arieh’s darkly seductive vocals and electric violin are the highlight of the group’s transfixing live performances.
Annie Girl and The Flight close out the night with their hypnotic, trance-inducing art-rock. Annie has performed solo and with numerous groups around SF, but with her new band The Flight, her introspective songs take on an edgier and more psychedelic sound. – Ethan Varian
