If you’re looking for a worthwhile concert tonight but you’re hesitant to commit to just one genre for the evening, head to Boot & Saddle for The Lawsuits, who play effortlessly through blues, country, pop, and even reggae. On their debut release Cool Cool Cool, the fivesome proved that they could master any of these genres while simultaneously creating a distinct dreamlike and misty quality to the album that they have carried over and built upon the four tracks on Tumbled, their latest EP. Their sound weighs heavily on the combo of Vanessa Winters and Brian Dale Allen Strouse’s vocals, which are admirable in their own right, always seeming to meld deliciously at all the points, and they’re mastery of American storytelling. Together, they’ll make you feel like you’re driving down the highway with the top down, circa, say, 1969. That nostalgic sound, combined with bouncy, bright jams like “Arts and Crafts” will make you feel some sunshine, even in funeral Philly winter weather. Bonus: they’re making all of their music online available for free download until the show so you can brush up before the concert. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $12, 21+ – Emily DiCicco
The Big Fist Makes Darkness Pretty
The Big Fist is one of our contenders for the title of Artist of the Month (don’t worry other candidates, we’ll get to you as well in the coming days), and at first listen, their music has this pretty, poppy sensibility that belies the subject of Big Fist songs. These are some of the darkest, yet prettiest pop songs I’ve ever heard. Take "Kill," for instance, which describes a man realizing that he is but ordinary and deciding that, consequently, he’s "gonna go out there and kill, tonight." When Big Fist frontman Geoff Earle (formerly of Fresh Millions and manager of the delicious Hillside Creek Farmacy on the Eastside) with a crescending mania sings "I’m gonnna let my body fill with holy light. They’ll say that I was wrong, but I know I’m right. I know I’m right," it’s a poignant moment of pop songwriting that feels entirely modern and important without getting bogged down in dogma. Other tracks like "Monster" and "Steal Your Guitar" keep up this bleak-done-pretty aesthetic pitch perfectly. Those interested in what pop can do when it goes for big concepts while remaining unpretentious, The Big Fist is your band. — Trevor Talley @defenderdefends
Daughter of Carlos Santana – STELLA plays The Addition – 1/21
Accompanied by local Bay Area band, Hot Pocket singer/songwriter, STELLA will showcase her downtempo R&B pop sounds on January 21st at The Addition in San Francisco. Stella Santana released her first single, The Reason in the summer of 2014 and continues to release music and play shows. SF is STELLA’s hometown so you should take this opportunity to invest your time and funds into a fellow local artist. This will also be a good chance to check her out before she gets too big to experience her in an intimate setting.
New England Open Submission Results for The Deli’s Year End Poll 2014 for emerging artists
Thanks to all the artists who submitted their music to be considered for The Deli’s Best of New England Year End Poll for Emerging Artists.
After tallying our editors’ ratings for the Open Submissions stage, it’s time to release the results. Please note that to avoid conflicts no local editor was allowed to vote for bands in their own scene.
Total submissions from New England: 43
Jurors: Jurors: Juan (The Deli LA), Maylis (The Deli NYC), Paolo De Gregorio (The Deli NYC).
Acts advancing to our Readers/Fans Poll:
1. As the Sparrow (Rootsy Pop) – 8 (out of 10)
1. Jake McKelvie & the Countertops (Indie Pop) – 8
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3. Andre Obin (Electro) – 7.83
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4. Miss Geo (Electro-Pop) – 7.66
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5. Marina Evans (Songwriter) – 7.5
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5. Doug Tuttle (Psych Rock) – 7.5
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7. No Evil Star (Avant-Indie) – 7.33
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8. Radclyffe Hall (Electro-Pop) – 7.16
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9. Jet Black Sunrise (Alt Rock) – 7
9. Sarah Blacker (Folk Pop) – 7
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Honorable Mentions (ranked above 6.5):
Streight Angular, Little Ugly, Ed balloon, The Symptoms, Ponybird.
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WHAT’S NEXT: These results end the first phase of the poll. We will soon unveil the artists nominated by our local jurors, and then let our readers and our writers influence the poll with their vote.
Keep creating, keep supporting, and stay tuned for your chance to vote!
—The Deli New England Staff
Weekend Warrior, January 9 – 11
New Track: “Wizard of the Eye” – Busses
As we inch closer to February 17th release date of their new record, Busses have put forth another tasty sample with its title track “Wizard of the Eye.” The song offers a melding of sledgehammer force and melody, gritting teeth while maintaining a smile. The trio will celebrate with an album release show alongside Northern Arms and Tinmouth on Saturday, February 14 at Johnny Brenda’s.
Teenage NYC Hip Hop duo Oshun doesn’t shy away from politics
“No this ain’t conspiracy. We know we ain’t equal. This the revolution, motherfucker; this the sequel!” In the video for their song “#,” OSHUN, Niambi Sala and Thandiwe (18 and 19 respectively), resurrect the tattered spirit of Public Enemy with eloquence and vehemence. Though they flaunt the fashion and the shibboleth of Afrocentrism, there is a greater complexity to their locus. The mission of “empowering women and all people, instilling confidence, cultural pride, and self-respect… within a re-emerging movement of cultural realignment, awareness, and creativity” is represented clearly and concisely throughout their repertoire. Regardless of how they may be labeled or categorized, OSHUN’s music is vast and deep, communicating fluidly from subtle ripples to massive crashes. – BrokeMC
Wand announce new album, Golem, and spring tour
After having a breakthrough year with their debut full-length Ganglion Reef, psych rock wizards Wand are showing no signs of stopping. The band has just announced a new full-length, Golem, and judging by pulverizing first single "Self Hypnosis in 3 Days" it promises a mighty feast of heavily layered fuzz and sludgy rhythm guitars. They’ve also announced a string of tour dates in the spring, which includes a stop at the Echo on March 13th. Golem will be released on March 17 via In The Red Records.
Air is Human So Breathe It In at MilkBoy Philly Jan. 9
Jeff Lucci & Josh Aptner form an excitingly intricate duo as Air is Human, tonight at Milkboy Philly. The band develops layered ambiance, which frequently changes shape over the course of a song. This free-form experimental element is often associated with tempo alterations, shifting the pace in a manner that suggests and provokes sonic scenery climate changes as what appeared like clear skies ushers in an ominous storm or vice versa. We’re easily overwhelmed by the weather; however, in this case, breathe it in. The gloomy rock/folk combination of The Rivals (who released a new song “Confessor”) set the ball rolling. After releasing a fresh EP earlier this week, aptly titled New Year, Brooklyn shoegazers Lazyeyes headline. Milkboy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 8:30pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
This Side Down ” Sticks and Stones”
This Side Down, knows how to have a good time! With a modern take on stellar grooves, this psychedelic rock band is “raw and beautiful”. “Sticks and Stones” is a rock anthem jam chant! It carries fun vibes with a creative memorable guitar hook, that bumps and rolls to earthy warm vocals that fill the room. The video to this sing-a-long song takes place in a “rock-star fort ”, inviting you right into their cool times. Just how long did it take to build that? We would love to know! Stay tuned for more stone grooves coming your way with This Side Down.
Journalism plays The Deli’s CMJ Garage/Slacker Rock Stage at Muchmore’s on 10.15
Even the best innovation means nothing without a vital sense of the past. Brooklyn’s Journalism connect two seemingly disparate influences—Joy Division and Sea and Cake—in a brief, three-song EP that radiates complacency and anxiety. Closer “I See Everything” (streaming) is the exception; it pushes past style, and thus beyond vanity, into more unfettered territory. More like dat, please! he band will be closing our all ages CMJ Garage/Slacker Rock Stage at Muchmore’s on Thursday 10.15. – Brian Chidester