First Time’s the Charm was initially held in 2013 at PhilaMOCA, providing a supportive environment for women, members of the LBGTQ community, and people of color to form bands and perform on stage for the first time. The rad event raised funds to help start the DIY PHL PA Share program, which has provided amplification for nearly 250 events in the Philly community. The sophomore incarnation of FTTC returned last year to the beloved, former mausoleum/Mad Decent HQ, expanding to a two-night festival. Well, 15 of its participating acts came together once again to contribute recordings to the No Gatekeepers: First Time’s the Charm 2016 compilation, which was recorded/mixed by James Clark Connor and produced by John Vettese at WXPN. Check out tracks from fledgling acts such as Aster More, Dumb Hair, Heretrix, Sister Trudy, and many others! You can stream and purchase the album below, and all proceeds will be donated towards putting together the next FTTC.
US Weekly Lets Loose New Single “American Piss” Before LP Release
US Weekly has been banging around the Austin live music circuit for the past year, emitting nihilistic punk diddies while their fans craved an official release. The time has come, April 22nd marks the release of their self-titled debut LP on Night Moves Records. The quartet’s first single "American Piss" is a commentary on the police shooting of Tamir Rice in 2015 and the general social injustices that pervade contemporary America. Heaving a nice dollop of grunge on top of their punk stylings, US Weekly sounds like a burgeoning Pissed Jeans or Metz coming to fruition in Austin. US Weekly launches a ten date East coast tour on May 10th and will be ripe for festival season in Austin as they ride the momentum of their first official release.
-Lee Ackerley
A Deli Premiere: The Dream Eaters’ “Neanderthals”
The story of NYC’s The Dream Eaters is an example of how muses can overthrow one’s will: vocalist Jake Zavracky had given up on the business of creating and performing music altogether when he met his soon-to-be partner in crime, Elizabeth LeBaron, at a bartending gig in Brooklyn. After some initial collaboration, LeBaron and Zavracky began to make music under the rather unimaginative moniker “Jake and Elizabeth,” which was wisely changed to the current denomination just in time for the release of their (charmingly understated) 2016 self-produced debut EP, "Five Little Pills."
The duo’s upcoming debut full length "We Are a Curse" is a work that marks both the creative peak and new beginning of the duo’s artistry, drawing upon experiences of the past while remaining entirely relevant to the day. Their single, “Neanderthals” (premiering below), though written by Zavracky during the Bush/Cheney administration, serves as an effective and artful jab at the current one. Its overtly angry political chorus, however, “They won’t make us crawl / They’re all Neanderthals” is undercut by a sincerer account of the helpless emotional state that toxic politics can leave us feeling trapped in: “Take your medication / Practice condemnation / Stay inside your houses now”. Two themes compete to govern the track: one of dejected submission to power and one of defiance. Drawing on the sonic influences of stock dream poppers like Beach House and The Antlers, the band adopts melancholic vocal lines to load their lyrics with an added emotional charge. Though the song’s sonic architecture is designed to shoot us into space, the lyrics bring us down to earth, mentally instilling a sense of duality, a contrast and elasticity that feels refreshing. It’s hard not to want to be a part of this band’s emergence. You can pre-order their debut album, slated for release on April, 14th or attend their upcoming shows at Halyards (4/8) or Rockwood Music Hall (5/10). – Andrew Strader
New Track: “Ginger Tea” – Shelf Life
Scotty Leitch, a.k.a. Shelf Life, will release his latest album, Christian Coated Ethical Arena, early next week (April 3). It’s latest glimpse, “Ginger Tea,” hangs in an intimate, disenchanting space. The calm closeness of soft, cohabitating lead vocals is countered by the friction and promise of an external storm. Shelf Life is also slated to perform on Thursday, April 6 at The Pharmacy with Blue Smiley, Fond Han, and Options.
Cheem Drops Video for New Single, Spiral
Earlier this month, Connecticut’s Cheem dropped a video for their recently released single, "Spiral", a catchy, pop-punk laden alt-rock tune that establishes the band firmly as an artist to watch. About a year out from their debut album, Making a Planet, the Hartford five-piece shows they have plenty more to say, with interesting instrumental breakdowns and a classic dual vocal style. Check out the video below and keep an eye out for upcoming shows. –Brian Varneke
Buzz Alert: Unique Psych-Rock from Carinae
An homage a distant star, far brighter than our own Sun, Massachusetts natives Carinae produce their own brand of psych-rock as individual and unique as their name. Their latest, Zephyr Window, has a strong focus on vocals and lyrical content, an element overlooked by many of their colleagues, without losing their laid-back grooves. Recorded in a ten-hour period, the album voyages the spectrum of the band’s sound, never feeling rushed or unprepared, a testiment to the talent displayed. If you find yourself in Brooklyn this week, check them out at Alphaville on 3/30. –Brian Varneke
Krust Toons: “One More Song” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "One More Song" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
Summer Moon bring their own brand of New Wave to Rough Trade on 04.19
Summer Moon, the work of Nikolai Fraiture, is an indie rock/new wave outfit steeped in pop experimentation. The New York based musician explores guitar and percussion layering in ways that bring ’80s pioneers like The Talking Heads to mind (in fact, single “With You Tonight” almost sounds like it has a guitar sample from “This Must Be The Place”). With subdued, reverb-soaked vocals, Fraiture lets the subtle production techniques speak for themselves. This project offers the energy and vitality of electronic dance music while satisfying those who crave analogue instrumentation in a musical climate increasingly devoid of it. Give their debut album, ‘With You Tonight,’ a listen now, go see them at Rough Trade on April 19 and check out this 360 interactive video of the single, below. – Andrew Strader
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Electronic singer-songwriter Haux plays Baby’s All Right on 04.27 + tours
Haux’s music belongs to a breed of dream-folk that knocks the air right out of your lungs. The NYC-based (via London) singer-songwriter recently released a remix package of his song “Caves,” a hushed, atmospheric composition with hints of drama and the catch and release of gingerly-built tension. We are streaming below the original version from last year’s EP "All We’ve Known." Haux will be playing live on April 27 at Baby’s All Right, and will be on tour this summer in North America and Europe. – Geena Kloeppel
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Final Roof Doctor EP Available for Streaming & Download
Former Maggot House proprietors/Deli Philly Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners, Roof Doctor, a.k.a. Mark Harper, Kevin Paschall, Alex Stackhouse, and Chet Williams, just played their last show this past Saturday at PhilaMOCA, alongside pals Mumblr and Yes Yes A Thousand Times Yes. They also raised $1,162 for th Southern Poverty Law Center, while treating attendees to some dope jams and tasty Franklin Fountain Ice Cream, cookies and lollipops. However, before the guys had themselves killed off, they wanted to share their final recordings, found on the EP So Long and Thanks for Nothing, which you can stream and download below. Thanks for everything, fellas! (Photo by Mariel Celentano)
Best Emerging NYC Bands 2017, the Deli’s List!
Dear Deli Readers,
We have finally reached the end of the road for The Deli’s Best Emerging NYC Artists Poll. As usual, it’s been a lengthy, exhausting, painstaking journey through an abundance of numbers, band names, and some seriously rad tunes. Now, before we get to our list of this year’s Top Performers, we would like to thank our wonderful, knowledgeable jury of local music experts/enthusiasts (which you can view below), dedicated Deli writers and all those who took the time to check out our nominees and cast their votes. You’re the best, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without you.
The Deli NYC Jurors:
Rami (PopGun Presents), Lauren (Northside Media Group), Katie Jones (National Sawdust), Hannah Gold (City Winery), Chris Pickering (Alphaville), Christopher Thomas, Matt (Rockwood Music Hall), Paolo De Gregorio (The Deli), Paul Bacher (The Knit), Christine (Sofar Sounds), Brett Tabisel (LPR NYC), Michelle (Bowery Ballroom), Tim (ASCAP), Eric (The Wild Honey Pie), Alex (Webster Hall), Patrick (Oh My Rockness), Tyler (Brooklyn Bazaar), Greg (The Delancey), Bowery Electric, Grace Gibson (Arlene’s Grocery)
BEST OF NYC POLL – THE FINAL RESULTS
1. BABY SHAKES
This year’s Best of NYC band is Baby Shakes, a power-pop/garage rock four-piece (there’s a ghost member in the band) that knows how to have fun. The group wins this poll’s grand prize: the cover of the spring 2017 issue of The Deli – we are looking forward to that issue! The band’s catalogue is pleasantly varied, with everything from relaxed surf rock tunes to easy rock-n-rollers to borderline punk, heavy-hitters. Though the expert guitar work of Mary Blount and Judy Lindsay is apparent, featuring harmonization, synchronized riffs, and the occasional shredtastic solo, what really makes Baby Shakes so infectious is the raw force and high energy of their songs. It’s something you can pick up on even through earbuds. Be on the lookout for their new album Turn It Up out this spring. – Andrew Strader
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2. BANGLADEAFY!
Bangladeafy! is a band that’s hard to forget after a first listen. They take a mathy, complex, progressive approach to metal without resulting obnoxious. They tow a unique line somewhere between metal and electronica, using arpeggiating synths to compliment complex percussion patterns and distorted guitars. This band is, without a doubt, carving a new path for metal in the tech age. – Andrew Strader
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3. BREANNA BARBARA
Breanna Barbara, self described as "occult blues" reimagines the roots of that genre, crafting a witchy, psychedelic take on it. Her latest record, Mirage Dreams was made in Nashville and there’s no hiding it: slide guitar, rhodes, and fuzzy bass, all come together to create a fresh take on an authentically southern sound, but with an edge. – Andrew Strader
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OVERALL TOP 20
Here’s the top 20 of the Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists! This chart reflects the scores of
1. Baby Shakes
2. Bangladeafy!
3. Breanna Barbara
4. Big Thief
5. Margaret Glaspy
6. Cutworms
7. Ex Reyes
8. Sam Evian
9. Bailen
10. Surf Rock Is Dead
11. Ela Minus
12. Pavo Pavo
13. Latasha Alcindor
14. Baby Acid
15. The Casey Hopkins Trio
16. Navy Gangs
17. Zuli
18. Dakota Jones
19. Yoke Lore
20. Winstons
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BEST OF NYC ELECTRONIC/HIP HOP CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Ela Minus
Readers’ Poll Winner: Latasha Alcindor
BEST OF NYC GARAGE/SLACK ROCK CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Baby Shakes
Readers’ Poll Winner: Stuyedeyed
BEST OF NYC PUNK/METAL CATEGORY
Overall Winner + Readers’ Poll Winner: Bangladeafy
BEST OF NYC INDIE ROCK CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Big Thief
Readers’ Poll Winner: Baby Acid
BEST OF NYC SOUL/BLUES ROCK CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Breanna Barbara
Readers’ Poll Winner: Casey Hopkins
BEST OF NYC INDIE POP CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Ex Reyes
Readers’ Poll Winner: Zuli
BEST OF NYC FOLK/AMERICANA CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Margaret Glaspy
Readers’ Poll Winner: The National Reserve
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See you next year, best of NYC Poll!
The Folks at The Deli
ELSEE – “ELECTRIC ON MY FEET”
Born and raised in Orillia, Ontario and now residing in Hamilton; this tune "Electric On My Feet" is one of the coolest pop tunes to come across my desk in a while. The thumpin drums immediately get your head movin’ back and forth. The keys and guitar fill the perfect amount of space with licks goin’ back and forth. Her voice is great though. Sounds like a classic lounge singer of the 60’s was warped into the future and met up with a great indie-funk band. There’s something mysterious and new about ELSEE. I’m interested to see what’s next. – Kris Gies