At one point Dre Babinski joked if The Satellite’s audience could tell all her songs were in 6/8. The singer-songwriter sat snugly in her throne, a pistachio wing-back that contrasted sharply with the fireburst guitar in her hands. Softened by the acoustic hum of Bedouine and slightly inebriated, fans and friends threw their reactions to the stage, but Dre was unaffected. Her cool composure and glaucous coordination spun webs from Steady Holiday‘s soon-to-be-released debut Getting There — it was hard to move while songs like "Your Version of Me" persisted, even for the photographers. And at each definitive end, the cheers and applause reinforced our belief that even the softest voice can speak volumes under the right light, even on a Tuesday night.

See Steady Holiday perform again at the end of this month for Bootleg Theater’s GIRLSCHOOL Fest and stay tuned for the slated release of Getting There. Check out pictures from the night on our Instagram @TheDeliLA. – Ryan Mo, photo by Michelle McCausland

It’s been a year since the release of their first full-length album, the eclectic Let it Beer, Richmond’s own Imaginary Sons put out a single to round out 2015. Taste The Waste is a departure from the previous releases, featuring light elements of thrash and garage rock instrumentality, but also having a feel of post with the somewhat ethereal vocals, which are somewhat reminiscent of Sigur Rós. Where Let It Beer was a delightful blend of heartland and psychedelic, this new single is a new step, keeping psych elements and incorporating some metal and garage flavoring. Through all of the high-speed guitar and drums, it’s exciting to see this band evolve so quickly. Catch their first show of the year at Strange Matter, 1/23, doors at 8.-Jonathan Goodwin

We continue churning out results for the Open Submissions to our Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists. Here are the ones who qualify to the next phase of the poll in the category "HIP HOP + OTHER."

Total submissions in this category: 11

Jurors: Cervante Pope (The Deli Portland), Ryan Mo (The Deli LA), Michelle Bacon (The Deli KC).

1. DAYAN – 7.33 (out of 10)

Dayan is Laura Dayan and Darko Saric.  Their indie-electronic Latin American folkloric funk is a swelling and pulsing exploration of the darkest corners of the dancefloor.  Laura’s voice beckons from an alternate universe with stories of magic and soul, while Darko maneuvers from House to Shoegaze.  The elements work together weaving a nostalgic longing for places unseen, rabbit holes, wishing wells, forgotten questions. – BrokeMc

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2. I.O.D. – 7.16

21 year old rapper I.O.D. a.k.a. Brownsvillian performed in front of thousands at the 2015 Brooklyn Music Festival, yet he has only six tracks on his Soundcloud.  This dearth obviously works in his favor.  From the raw candor of his “Grief Freestyle” to the spitfire Spanish and English “‘15 Originator (sida A),” I.O.D. demonstrates a fine balance between raw street spit and endearing quirkiness.  His style is still coalescing, but his skill is undeniable, and with Mtv and Hot97 vouching for him, his follow up to the critically lauded “11212” mixtape will only open him up to larger crowds and venues. – BrokeMc

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2. The Vagabondz – 7.16

The Vagabondz, a rap band and collective originating out of Beacon High School, don’t stray too far from Hip Hop’s roots.  Their debut album “Lessons” is an unpretentious, jazzy, trappy swarm of flows reminiscent of The Pharcyde and Project Blowed.  The production feels so authentically West Coast, it’s hard to believe The Bondz rep Manhattan, NYC.  Dropping references from Common to Black Sheep to Mark Morrison, their foundation is as solid as it gets.  Though they’ve matriculated to various colleges, The Vagabondz promise they’ll always find their way back home. – BrokeMc

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Honorable Mentions (score above 6): The Real Mike Wilson

Sophisticated Brooklyn pop band Starlight Girls is back with a new single – they released quite a few lately in preparation of their upcoming, self produced ‘Fantasm’ LP. Check out also ‘Hero,’ which is so delicious we decided to add it to our playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists! 

We are glad to see our CMJ 2014 babies Sunflower Bean take things to the next level in 2016: they just announced the February release of their debut album ‘Human Ceremony’ on Fat Possum, and a tour spanning two continents (Europe and the US) and two and a half month, also starting in February (the NYC stop is at Bowery Ballroom on 02.25). Check out their album’s preview single "Easier Said," which sees dreamyness and poppiness back into their often more muscolar psychedelic sound.