Capable of embedding theremin parts in folk songs and creating glam rock songs with Harry Nilsson-esque brass ensembles, NYC’s band Emanuel And The Fear certainly doesn’t lack imagination, painting lush orchestrations that verge on rock-opera. After a European tour this past December, Emanuel Ayvas’s brainchild returned home to perform their first 2014 show at Mercury Lounge last Friday night. This band has gone through many changes both sonically and in terms of lineup, at one point having 11 members in its ranks. Since releasing their first self-titled debut EP in 2009, the sextet has gone on to release 3 records, none of which sounds alike. One trend we do notice is that their music has gotten progressively darker since 2010’s ‘Listen.’ They have a new album in the works, so definitely keep an eye on them. Check out "The janus Mirror" below, title track from their latest EP released last year.
The Deli Philly’s February Record of the Month: The Districts – The Districts
Fanno Creek at Valentines 2.5
Looking for the next addition to your music library? Fanno Creek has it covered. Their latest release, Monuments, is a treasure trove of melodic material. The band seems to have found the right ingredients from a variety of genres which produce a tasty sound, indeed. Songs like “Trilithon” are wonderfully simple in content and yet in that simplicity elegant and sweet, but don’t get too settled in, there is more to Fanno Creek than just that. “Page” provides the sour contrast to the sweet songs. It showcases their versatility by incorporating eerie, sweeping sounds that contrast with the more consonant sounds. The sweet & sour combination shows a conscious effort to produce not just good songs but a great album. One of my personal favorites from Monuments is “Bones”. “It has strong late 60’s/early 70’s, almost psychedelic quality to it that make this track very cool. The attention given to each song is evident and the result is a kick ass album. – Cory Huennekens
Vinyl Thief to Release “Stop Motion” EP 2.4
Vinyl Thief’s new single “Stop Motion” was released January 30th in anticipation of their EP (also “Stop Motion”) hitting TOMORROW. The track opens with cathartic piano and urgent drums, overlaid by vocalist Grayson Proctor crooning sweet, calming things like “precious little soul-“. The whole EP is deft, dreamy, and studded with unexpected twists, breakdowns, and tempo changes that make the listening experience more like an Easter egg hunt. For eggs filled with lightning. Their sound is so completely, flawlessly realized that it’s easier to imagine the band materializing naked and clutching synthesizers in a dark alley like a couple of T-800s than ever muddling through awkward living room/garage sessions. Click over here to listen to “Stop Motion” in its entirety. A full-length album is slated for a release later this year, and man, words fail me in how bad I want to hear it. –Terra James-Jura
A Triad of Promising Locals in Albondigas, Marge & Cool Points at Golden Tea House Feb. 2
Nothing Co-headlining Sold-out All-ages Show w/Whirr at The Boot & Saddle Feb. 2
In just 2 short years, Nothing have gained a bit of notoriety thanks to their eardrum bursting live performances and music that is a fine blend of vibrant shoegaze and dark, alternative post-metal. They have also made some big moves signing to revered indie label Relapse Records and working with producer extraordinaire Jeff Zeigler (Kurt Vile, The War on Drugs, etc.) to release what should be their biggest album to date, Guilty of Everything, which officially drops on March 4. But before that and kicking into SXSW mode with a tour to promote the upcoming album, they are all set to play a sold-out performance today at The Boot & Saddles’ first ever all-ages with San Francisco Bay Area shoegaze brethren Whirr and local natives Sad Actor. The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St, 1pm, SOLD OUT, All Ages – Bill McThrill
Catch Cautiontape at ABGB, 2/5/14
It would be wise to proceed with caution when listening to Cautiontape’s heady dose of electronic rock. Singer Brit Kagan’s captivating vocals add a touch of mischief to the band’s sound that’s a little My Gold Mask meets Metric. Songs like “Delights of Someone Dreamed” and “Be Sweet” will “drag you back” for repeat plays. Catch Cautiontape this Wednesday, February 5th. -Written by Gillian Driscoll
Divers Opening for Mirah at The Boot & Saddle Feb. 1
POW! Massanger Los Craters The Electric Magpie Play Hemlock Tavern – 2/1
Local promoter Shirley Sparks Presents has put together an excellent lineup of music featuring, POW!, Massanger, Los Craters and The Electric Magpie for this Saturday at The Hemlock Tavern. Since releasing Hi-Tech Boom on Castleface Records, POW!’s synth-driven, fuzzed-out warning to San Francisco has been rapidly gaining attention after Thee Oh See’s Jonathan Dwyer described it as a “punk eulogy to our fair city.” The minimalist post-punk trio is sure to live up to the hype and put on a killer show. SoCal garage dwellers Massenger and Los Craters will bring their freaky surf rock sounds to the party while SF’s The Electric Magpie look to obliterate your face with their feedback-laden raga rock.
So stop by The Hemlock Tavern, SF’s most intimate rock club, to check out some of the best emerging indie bands on the west coast! – Ethan Varian
Moses Sumney Voted The Deli LA’s 2013 Best Emerging Artist
I first heard talk of Moses Sumney after his jaw-drapping live performance this summer at The Bootleg during the KING Residency. With a series of microphones set to different looping mechanisms, Sumney creates a one-man show that rivals most full band performances. His voice alone is uniquely textured and souful enough to make heads turn, but his talents don’t end there. His innovative creativity is on full display in every aspect of each song he crafts. To declare him The Deli’s 2013 Best LA Emerging Artist is an honor for us and to say we are floored by his talent and vision would be an understatement. He plays this coming Monday at KCRW’s It’s A School Night at Bardot. Clear your schedule and be there. This will definitely be your last chance to see him for free and in such an intimate setting. Streaming below is "Alchemy" along with a video of his live performance at The Bootleg.
Body Parts Voted First Runner-Up as The Deli LA’s 2013 Best Emerging Artist
If you’ve been reading The Deli LA at all this year, you know we’ve been following local art-pop band Body Parts as they slowly released single after single from their now fully released debut album, ‘Fire Dream.’ Their epic residency to celebrate the release at The Satellite this November will not soon be forgotten. Co-founders, Ryder Bach and Alina Cutrino, are overflowing with ideas and the chops to match. The band just finished up a string of west coast dates with Cloud Control. They’ll be opening for synth-pop trio, Wildcat! Wildcat! at The Echoplex on February 21. While you wait for this night of sweet jams, stream "Unavoidable Things," which smartly unfolds the story at the crux of the album.
Fever The Ghost Runner-Up as The Deli LA’s 2013 Best Emerging Artist
2013 was certainly the year newly formed, Fever The Ghost, emerged. Quickly rising to the top of every promoter and blogger’s year end list of "Ones to Watch," and the like, with their engaging live shows and quirky image. They may have the antics to grab any usually skeptic listeners’ attention, but they also have the songs to back up the hype. Psychedelia is at the forefront of their sound, but pop is the glue holding it all together. Their very recently released debut EP, ‘Crab In Honey,’ is a journey into effects-drenched absurdism akin to early Zappa, but they never go too far astray as to take themselves too seriously. The first single, "Source," is a snappy, upbeat tune with layer upon layer of trippy textures, space-bound synth lines, and beefy guitar riffs. This February see them every Monday at The Detroit Bar for their free month-long residency.