Many of our readers should be familiar with ​​​​​​Deidre Muro and her clean soprano, since she was one half of self defined "fantasy pop" duo Savoir Adore – which is still active, led by the other original member Paul Hammer. Deidre, who left the band in 2014, has just announced that her revival pop project debuted in 2011 under the moniker "Deidre & the Dark" will be releasing a new EP in late 2016, and that the band will also tour with French Horn Rebellion and Mystery Skulls in March. Check out the video for single ‘Classic Girl,’ from 2012, which gives you an idea of the uplifting and theatrical performances this band has been known for. They’ll be playing Music Hall Of Williamsburg on March 10. Deidre also plays in electronic trio  Violet Sands (single ‘No Matter What’ also streaming below).

Considering how gostly and dark his music is, it’s quite remarkable that synth-soul singer Kevin Garrett‘s debut EP ‘Mellow Drama’ managed to amass over 12.8 million streams and saw him charting on Spotifyʼs Viral 50 List. The Brooklyn via Pittsburgh artist just released a new single entitled "Where Are Ü Now" that doubles down in his signature souflul eeriness. He has a great live show, don’t miss the next one at Mercury on march 25th.

Deli Lovers,

Our infamous Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists has been – as usual – a lengthy and painstaking journey which took us through prairies of numbers, horizons filled with band names, and a dense, (mostly) joyous rain of music. We have finally reached our destination and we can announce the final results! In case you are not aware, the winner of this poll end up on the cover of our Spring Issue of The Deli! Last year it was Porches. The year before Big Ups.

And the winner is…

1. ACID DAD
Our jury of NYC scenesters converged towards this quartet of young Brooklyn residents devoted to a modern, "shoegazi-er" reinterpretation of the psychedelic garage rock sound of the ’80s – a rather obscure wave that had NYC as its epicenter thanks to legendary – and still very much active – bands like The Fleshtones and The Fuzztones. Through songwriting that tames the outdated bluesy overtones typical of those pioneers in favor of poppier melodies, these guys may have found the recipe to bring psych-garage out of the underground. Check out their latest single "Fool’s Gold," from their upcoming EP, scheduled for a late February release. Oh and yes: you’ll see these guys on the cover of the Spring Issue of The Deli NYC!

2. DONNA MISSAL
The jurors who voted for New Jersey’s soul rocker Donna Missal swear she’s gonna be a star. Now, that’s rare, because anybody employed full time in the record industry is perfectly aware of how slim those chances are. But listening to this young lady’s two debut singles – both released at the end of 2015 and immediately gone viral – it’s very hard to disagree with them: great songs, incredible energy, powerful, pitch perfect vocals, production that’s dark and edgy without being too weird for the mainstream; and – what’s crucial these days – stage presence and actual vocal prowess.We are sold!

3. HONDURAS
Channeling similar influences as this poll’s winners, but in more sober, post punk-influenced ways, the guys in Honduras have the NYC running in their blood (and sound). 2015 marked the release of their very well received debut LP "Rituals," and because of it, although they haven’t gotten to tour in their moniker-lending country just yet (which would certainly be a sign of world wide fame!), they landed a series of high profile gigs and got a ton of press out of it, with this very blog being second to none in that department. They are set to tour with Deli darlings Sunflower Beans in the spring. Don’t miss the two of them at Bowery Ballroom on February 25th. Here’s a new single from their upcoming EP, entitled "Hollywood" and recently premiered by none other legendary British publication NME.

Check out our poll’s top thirty below, and don’t forget to get even deeper, exploring all the finalists organized by genre:

ALT FOLK – ALT ROCK – ALT SOUL – DREAM POP – ELECTRONIC – HIP HOP/OTHER – INDIE POP – INDIE/POST PUNK – PSYCH/SHOEGAZE – SLACKER ROCK – REVIVAL POP/ROCK – SOUL

BEST OF 2015 POLL FOR EMERGING NYC ARTISTS ****** FINAL RESULTS – TOP THIRTY ******

ARTIST J OS W R TOT   1 Acid Dad 8.5   1 0.012 9.512 2 Donna Missal 6.5   1 0.002 7.502 3 Honduras 5.5   1 0.022 6.522 4 Lewis Del Mar 6.5     0.003 6.503 5 The Mystery Lights 4.5   1 0.121 5.621 6 Born Cages 3 2   0.009 5.009 7 Buscabulla 3   2 0.002 5.002 8 Pam Steebler   2.5   2.019 4.519 9 Sunflower Bean 4.5     0.006 4.506 10 Lawrence 3.5     0.77 4.27 11 Pavo Pavo 3   1 0.01 4.01 12 The New Tarot   3 1 0 4 13 Dayan   2.5 1 0.229 3.729 14 Alexia Bontempo 3     0.563 3.563 15 Howard 3.5     0.004 3.504 16 RANN   1.5   1.985 3.485 17 Kevin Garrett 3     0.243 3.243 18 Girls on Grass 2   1 0.179 3.179 19 Janelle Kroll 3     0.153 3.153 20 PMS and The Moodswings 3     0.128 3.128 21 Strange Names 2   1 0.124 3.124 22 CAFUNÉ   3   0.077 3.077 23 Mobile Steam Unit 3     0.048 3.048 24 Amy Leon 3     0.038 3.038 25 surf rock is dead   2 1 0.035 3.035 26 Pink Mexico 3     0.024 3.024 27 EVVY 3     0.014 3.014 28 Yours Are the Only Ears 3     0.011 3.011 29 LVL Up 3     0.01 3.01 30 Belle Mare   3   0.004 3.004 Legend: J = Jurors, W = Deli Writers, R = Deli Readers, OS = Open Submissions

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If you wonder how this chart came into existence, here is how it all went down: first, we let the local bands submit their music (for free), and got our Deli editors to pick the nominees. Then we polled a list of 20+ NYC scene expert (our jury) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each (3 points for the top choice, then 2 and 1). Then we polled our readers. We tried to keep things open to the genres we cover, from Indie Rock to Roots Music, from electronic to Hip Hop (no jazz, no seriously experimental music).

If you are a geek interested in all the subtelties related to how this poll works, you can read its rules here (happy reading!). But if all you care about is the awesome new music NYC produced in the year 2015, this list is all you need. Enjoy!

Many Thanks to our Jurors: Alex Rossiter (The Studio, Webster Hall) Andy Bodor (Cake Shop), Ariel Bitran (Palisades), Billy Jones (Baby’s All Right), Christine Cook (Sofar Sound NYC), Claire and Patrick McNamara (OhMyRockness.com), Diane (Bowery Ballroom), George Flanagan (Rough Trade NYC), Greg (The Delancey), Kelly Bruce (doNYC/RedBull) Lucas Sacks (Brooklyn Bowl), Matt Currie (Rockwood Music Hall), Max Brennan (The Flat), Nora Dabdoub (Shea Stadium), Rachael Pazdan (The Hum), Rami Haykal (Popgun Presents), Richard Sloven (The Knitting Factory), Sam Cox (BMI), Steven King (The Rock Shop), Steven Matrick (Pianos), Tim Maginnis (Ascap), Todd Abramson (independent promoter), Tyler Bates (Communiom Music).

Hope you’ll find some awesome new artists you weren’t aware of!

The Deli’s Staff

NYC based Colombians Salt Cathedral have been treating us to some really good synthpop with soul tinges in the last few years, and the magic isn’t over yet. Check out their new, uber-mellow single ‘No Ordinary Man,’ released less than 24 hours ago, and don’t miss their live show at Baby’s All Right on March 5th.

Born in the forests of Vermont as an intimate, mellow folk project, Alpenglow slowly morphed into a psychedelic entity that feeds itself with roots (music) and converts them into spacey songs full of synths and effects. The release of their beautiful 2014 EP Chapel openied up opportunities to tour with Lucius, Timber Timbre, and their spiritual guru, Jim James of My Morning Jacket. They are now announcing their full debut album, "Callisto," scheduled for a February 26 release, by unveiling single "Following The Scene." The band will play a bunch of East Coast dates supporting the album, before coming back to Brooklyn for a show at the new Williamsburg non profit venue National Showdust, on April 1st.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

While New York City stands as punk rock’s birthplace, neighboring New Jersey has certainly contributed to that genre’s gritty sound. The Garden State may be known for established acts like Springsteen and Bon Jovi, but power-punkers Lost In Society find muse in early era punk and 90’s grunge. New single “I Want To Know” successfully touches those two bases in a concise two plus minutes. While the intro’s mid-tempo drum rolls and emphatic guitar chords suggest a classic power trio, subsequent tempo shift to a much quicker pace establishes meaner intentions. Verses come fast and hard and tell the story of working class people barely getting by “check by check” and “sinking down to a hopeless debt.” With the chorus initially (and conveniently) namechecking the song title, the next lines echo the best of Nirvana in cadence tandem with lyrics “when you take what you get and you don’t look back, do you feel no regret, do you really keep check?” Their full length record ‘Modern Illusions’ (produced by Pete Steinkopf, guitarist of The Bouncing Souls) is set for release on February 26th. Live shows will happen at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn, NY on February 25th and Convention Hall in their hometown (Asbury Park, NJ) on February 26th. – Dave Cromwell

Dear Deli Readers,

Our Best of DC Area Poll for Emerging Artists has been – as usual – a lengthy and painstaking journey which took us through prairies of numbers, horizons filled with band names, and a dense, (mostly) joyous rain of music. We have finally reached our destination and we can announce the final results!

Coming in first for 2015 is DC’s premier velvet pop trio The Walking Sticks. Comprised of outstanding vocalist Chelsea Lee and brothers Spencer and Max Ernst, this group possesses a standout electronic base layered with funk and the stadium-quality voice of a siren. They have a show tomorrow night, 2/10, with Wylder and Tigers Are Bad For Horses at the W Hotel.

Barely a year out from releasing their first LP, Richmond psych rockers California Death landed at number two. Mellow and dreamy, this quintet makes a splash with their beachy, lo-fi shoegaze music in the Old Dominion. Nostalgic and feel-good, these guys have a show at Gallery 5, 2/28.

Number three on the list, Manzara lays out their heavy, atmospheric post rock to great aplomb, also hailing from Richmond. This spacy and mystifying threepiece doesn’t have much music on the books, but keep an eye on them as they build their following. Their next gig is at the Hardywood Brewing Company, 2/20.

Check out our poll’s top ten below, and don’t forget to get even deeper, exploring all the finalists organized by genre:

Alt Rock – Hardcore/Metal – Hip Hop/World – Electronic – Indie Pop – Indie Rock – Post Punk – Roots Music

BEST OF 2015 POLL FOR  EMERGING NDC Area ARTISTS ****** FINAL RESULTS – TOP TEN ******

ARTIST J OS R TOT   1 The Walking Sticks 4.5 3 0.004 7.504 2 California Death 5.5   0.064 5.564 3 Manzara 4.5   0.002 4.502 4 Dr Robinson’s Fiasco 3   0.124 3.124 5 Goldrush 3   0.088 3.088 6 The Milestones 3   0.04 3.04 7 Spirit Plots 3   0.019 3.019 8 Beauty Pill 3   0.004 3.004 9 Stronger Sex 3   0.003 3.003   The NRIS 3   0.003 3.003 Legend: J = Jurors, W = Deli Writers, R = Deli Readers, OS = Open Submissions

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If you wonder how this chart came into existence, here is how it all went down: first, we let the local bands submit their music (for free), and got our Deli editors to pick the nominees. Then we polled a list of 15+ DC Area scene expert (our jury) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each (3 points for the top choice, then 2 and 1). Then we polled our readers. We tried to keep things open for each single genre, from Indie Rock to Roots Music to Hip Hop.

If you are a geek interested in all the subtleties related to how this poll works, you can read the rules here (happy reading!). But if all you care about is the awesome new music DC Area produced in the year 2015, this list is all you need. Enjoy!

Many Thanks to our Jurors: Josh Sisk (photographer), Craig Boarman (Ottobar), Brandon Wetherbee (Brightest Young Things), Alley Gibson (photographer), Lynda Lu (DC Rocks), Mike Rutz (WRIR), Katie Bowles (DC Music Download), Andrew Cothern (RVA Paylist), Chris (DC Heavy Metal), Jennifer Vinson (DC Setlist), Nestor (Velvet Lounge), Mark (Strange Matter), David Hintz (DC Rock Live), Kevin Hill (Chunky Glasses), Chris Naoum (Listen Local First), Jonathan Goodwin (The Deli Magazine). Many other jurors were asked to send us their preferences but elected not to do so.

Hope you’ll find some awesome new artists you weren’t aware of!

The Deli’s Staff

Deli Readers,

Our Best of Portland Poll for Emerging Artists has been – as usual – a lengthy and painstaking journey which took us through prairies of numbers, horizons filled with band names, and a dense, (mostly) joyous rain of music. We have finally reached our destination and we can announce the final results!

All of us at the Deli would like to congratulate Cat Hoch for becoming The Deli Portland’s Best Emerging Artist of 2015! It doesn’t come as much of a surprise, though, as Cat’s indelible musical footprint even landed her the opening spot for Ride’s performance in Portland last year. She’s talented, as is her supporting band, and she’ll without a doubt keep dishing out incredible, dreamy psychedelia for the enjoyment of the masses.

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The Domestics – after winning this same poll last year, when their full length debut album hadn’t been released yet – ring in our #2 slot, with their fun and loveable rock-pop. They’ve got a mass appeal and an easy to enjoy sound, so much so that it landed them on last year’s PDX Pop Now! festial compilation album, along with our top spotter Cat Hoch (and a performance at the fest along with our 3rd place winner). 

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Round out our top 3 is DIY/post punk trio Golden Hour, comprised of wonderfully endearing ladies who produce songs that are just as captivating. Almost out of nowhere, Golden Hour sprung up on the scene, dominating every show they’ve played so far with a charming humbleness. The Don’t Be Cute LP came out in February of last year and we’re hoping to get another release from these lovelies soon.

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Check out our poll’s top 15 below, and don’t forget to get even deeper, exploring all the finalists organized by genre:

ALT-ROCK/METAL | ELECTRONIC | INDIE-POP | INDIE-ROCK | PSYCH | PUNK/GARAGE | ROOTS

ARTIST J OS R TOT   1 Cat Hoch 6.5   0.036 6.536 2 The Domestics 6.5   0.005 6.505 3 Golden Hour 6.5   0.004 6.504 4 Fur Coats 5.5   0.016 5.516 5 Chanti Darling 5.5   0.014 5.514 6 Moon by You 4.5   0.064 4.564 7 Blowout 4.5   0.015 4.515  8  Coco Columbia 3   1 4 9 Dirty Revival 3   0.125 3.125 10 Rod 3   0.055 3.055 11 Leo Islo 3   0.054 3.054 12 Muscle and Marrow 3   0.02 3.02 13 Sioux Falls 3   0.018 3.018 14 Boone Howard 3   0.015 3.015 15 Ah God 3   0.015 3.015 Legend: J = Jurors, W = Deli Writers, R = Deli Readers, OS = Open Submissions

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If you wonder how this chart came into existence, here is how it all went down: first, we let the local bands submit their music (for free), and got our Deli editors to pick the nominees. Then we polled a list of 15+ Portland scene expert (our jury) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each (3 points for the top choice, then 2 and 1). Then we polled our readers. We tried to keep things open for each single genre, from Indie Rock to Roots Music to Hip Hop.

If you are a geek interested in all the subtelties related to how this poll works, you can read its rules here (happy reading!). But if all you care about is the awesome new music Portland produced in the year 2015, this list is all you need. Enjoy!

Many Thanks to our Jurors: Aaron Sharpsteen (SSG Music), Ana Ammann (Publisher for Oregon Music News), Annie Ostrowski (Riot Act Media), Chad Davis (music video director), Duffy Rongiiland (Gnar Tapes), Heather Hanson (Portland Radio Project), Hunter Skowron (Dazzleship Records), Jeni Wren Stottrup (Portland Mercury), Linneas Boland-Godbey (Vortex Mag), Mac Pogue (Impose Magazine), Meagan Ruyle (PDX Pop Now!), Noelle Magia (CD Baby), Rob Cullivan (Portland Tribune), Todd Walberg (show photographer), Tony Prato (Bunk Bar), Travis Leipzig (Noise & Color), Yousef Hatlani (Faces on the Radio).

Hope you’ll find some awesome new artists you weren’t aware of!

The Deli’s Staff

The recording project of songwriter and producer Gabrielle Smith, Eskimeaux began in 2007 as an outlet for her experimental and noisy home-recordings and later, within Brooklyn collective of musicians The Epoch, developed into a more structured folky tinged pop. Smith’s latest full-length album, "O.K." was called the #1 record of the year by the U.K. blog GoldFlakePaint, and was featured in NPR’s All Songs Considered’s Top 10 albums of 2015 – which it ain’t bad if you ask us. The artist just announced a new EP entitled "Year of the Rabbit," scheduled to be released on April 15. Check out single ‘Power’ below. The band will be also touring the US with Frankie Cosmos and Yowler in the spring, but New Yorkers will be able to catch it live at Market Hotel on February 26th.

Holy cow, Deli Readers! Check out this stunning song/video combo, directly from our digital submissions, which rarely reserve this kind of surprises (when they do, it’s pure joy). The band in question is called Humeysha and – according to their Facebook profile – hail from NYC / LKO / KHI – which is enough info to include them in this blog, but fails to convey any other familiar location. However, their bio indicates Indian origins, betrayed rather heavily by their music and imagery. In October 2015 the quartet released a 14 track self-titled full length album that integrates Indian influences and western pop format in psychedelic ways that would make George Harrison proud. The video elevates the single’s dreaminess with stunning and vaguely disturbing images. Kudos to all parts involved, this is beautiful art.

We first covered NYC quartet Silverbird back in 2013, and, two years and a half later, we find a band that has evolved from their initial soft, dreamy and orchestral folky atmospheres (still dominating their 2014 EP ‘Surface Life‘) to a more elaborate, extroverted and upbeat art rock sound, pervading their 2015 release ‘Pureland‘. Considering it was entirely self released, the record has received a surprisingly good reception, raking up tens of thousands of plays on Spotify and a good amount of press coverage. The strenght of the album, besides a sound that blends glam-pop overtones (some may hear a Suede influence) with the trademark light psychedelia, is its consistency. Unlike most records out there, the band’s best material isn’t immediately burnt within the initial few tracks, but slowly unfolds song after song. Our personal favorite is ‘Seventeen’ (streaming below), a tune that, after a rather static verse, develops unexpectedly through a peculiar trasaction towards a chorus that brings to mind the best Flaming Lips tracks. Don’t miss these guys at their next live show, scheduled for February 18 at Baby’s All Right with Corbu and Ron Gallo.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Hey Newyorkers into Soul music and Hip Hop!

On Tuesday February 23rd we’ll celebrate the release of our 45th NYC issue of The Deli Magazine with a show at Rough Trade featuring our cover lady Brittany Campbell, who will take the opportunity to celebrate the release of her new EP! Check out her latest video for single ‘Sexy Darth Vader,’ inspired to Star Wars!

Here’s the lineup, tickets are $10/12 and can be bought here!

10.15: Brittany Campbell (EP Release!) 
9.30: Kate Ferber
8.45: Mathanee Treco
8.30: Paco the G Train Bandit
8.pm: DJ Topclass

See you there!

The Deli Folks