Dear Deli Readers,

Every year, in the early months, The Deli polls several local music enthusiasts/experts to ask their opinion about the best emerging Austin-based artists that got them excited in the previous twelve months. We, therefore, list these artists on our local homepage, in a Readers’ Poll, whose results contribute in deciding The Deli Austin’s Artist of the Year.

In an effort to give you more time to check out all the nominated bands, this year we have decided to stretch the readers’ polls a little, and instead of posting a huge list of artists all at once, we will activate one genre-related poll every five days or so.

The first poll of the series is all about electronic local acts! You can find it at the top right of our homepage, and you can cast your vote HERE.

We see our yearly polls as a fun way to engage our readers and the artists involved, and we hope that everybody involved will get to discover new local acts who deserve attention.

Much love,

The Folks at The Deli

P.S. To group all artists in these categories, we had to "stretch" things a little for a few of the artists that didn’t precisely fit any of the wide musical umbrellas most other acts fell under – we hope that we can be forgiven for that.

The Casey Hopkins Duo has a huge sound for a two man project. The Brooklyn-based band plays unapologetic, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll with a brazen swagger and an eye to psych bands of the late 60’s. Their latest release, Touch EP, was recorded to tape and has all the warmth and crackle of an old rock record, but the addition of some sinisterly fuzzy guitars keeps the band sounding unlike classic-rock, copycat acts. That and singer Casey Hopkins’s crazy charismatic vocals make The Casey Hopkins Duo a must-listen. Stream them below. – Olivia Sisinni, Photo by Sacha Lecca

In a city known for punk and hip-hop anthems, DC’s Drop Electric makes epic, pathos ridden, slow jams. Relying on heartbreaking harmonic progressions, dramatic instrumental timbres, Sigur Rosian slow grooves, and show-stopping delivery by lead singer Anya Mizani, Drop Electric is fearlessly taking its unique sound to the DC scene. Check out Drop Electric with Staycation and Sunbathers January 27th at the Rock & Roll Hotel.

Dear Deli Readers,

Every year, in the early months, The Deli polls several local music enthusiasts/experts to ask their opinion about the best emerging Portland-based artists that got them excited in the previous twelve months. We, therefore, list these artists on our local homepage, in a Readers’ Poll, whose results contribute in deciding The Deli Portland’s Artist of the Year.

In an effort to give you more time to check out all the nominated bands, this year we have decided to stretch the readers’ polls a little, and instead of posting a huge list of artists all at once, we will activate one genre-related poll every five days or so.

You may have noticed that we started last week with bands in the Indie Pop category (that poll is now closed but you can still find it here)! You can find the poll at the top right of our homepage, and you can cast your vote HERE.

We see our yearly polls as a fun way to engage our readers and the artists involved, and we hope that they will get both to discovery new local acts who deserve attention.

Much love,

The Folks at The Deli

P.S. To group all artists in these categories, we had to "stretch" things a little for a few of the artists that didn’t precisely fit any of the wide musical umbrellas most other acts fell under – we hope that we can be forgiven for that.