Mirror Kisses is the electronic project of Brooklyn’s George Clanton, a young man blessed with a rare talent: finding great band names (ok, he’s also a talented musician). We like that name because all art, at the end of the day, is a form of narcissism, in particular when the artist – like in Mirror Kisses – is alone, in full control – because when band members are involved, the narcissism is tamed by the need for compromise, which is a force that pulls you in the opposite direction). Clanton offers a kind of shimmery electronica that relies on a heavy use of synth pads and dancey drum loops, with the vocals almost always relegated behind the rich arrangements. Streaming single"Never Late Again" gathered an impressive amount of plays in less than a month. You can see mr Narcissus live at Palisades on 02.26th.

Let’s admit it, NYC is a scene that rarely produces bands immune from pretentiousness, which has its good and bad sides. That’s why stumbling upon Dots Confuse Minds’ straight up pop rock songs seems like a breath of fresh air for our… ears? The quintet musical references range from classic rock of the 60s to The Pink Floyd from The Wall era, but in their best moments (like in streaming track "Doin’ Life Right" they remind us of Seattle’s Young Fresh Fellows, unsung heroes of the college pop rock of the early 80s. Dots Confuse Minds just released EP "A Gentlemen’s Game" and will be playing at Pianos on March 14.

Deli-rious readers,

In the insanely convoluted (but SUPERBLY accurate) system governing our Year End Poll for Emerging NYC Artist, our writers have a rather influential vote. Here are the results of this specific poll.

Well… you should know by know how much The Deli’s staff loves avant-indie trio Celestial Shore, so I guess no surprise there! Check out their latest awesome video below. Beverly, Sons of an Illustrious Father and Dead Stars also made an impression…

With a voice that should only grace angels, NYC songwriter Kevin Garrett is bound to charm all the sensitive souls looking for a good reason to shed a tear or two with his sparse, soul infused love songs. Check out his new video for single "Coloring." Kevin will be performing at SXSW this upcoming March.

It’s always interesting when a band employs vocals without actual lyrics, or sings completely unintelligible ones. The technique was made popular by Cocteau Twins and their dream pop/shoegaze descendents, but it’s also used in various extreme metal genres, where screaming corrupts the words’ meaning. Brooklyn’s preposterously named Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk are firmly embedded in the former category, and their sound is a beautiful one. “Saturday” moves with the minor key melancholia and descending progression of prime mid-90’s dreamgaze practitioners like Slowdive. Additional tracks like “Burt” pop and crackle with the feel of a late night jam session. The melody is strong, but any semblance of literal meaning is merely suggested. This is the musical equivalent of an impressionists water color painting. A surprisingly soulful element emerges however, with the romanticism of early 1970’s r&b act The Chi-Lites discovered under a layer of Kevin Shields’ My Bloody Valentine filters. The band is currently in the studio recording new material. – Dave Cromwell

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

Emily Sprague’s DIY dream folk project Florist conjures up some of the most consistently sparse and quiet music you can hear in Brooklyn these days. This is pretty much a love affair between Eily’s delicate melodies, a few assorted sounds, and the hiss of cassette tape, which seems to be the band’s format of choice for both recording and releasing – by the way, who would have thought, 25 years ago, that hiss would have come back to fashion? We all hated it!). The three releases to date feature some beautiful songs, like the one streaming below, title track of the 2013 six track cassette "We Have Been This Way Forever." You can see Florist live at Silent Barn on February 20.

Stick the word "noir" next to pretty much anything, and… we are (pretty much) sold! Noir comedies, noir pop, noir novels, noir pants and socks it always works… New Jersey songwriter Ryan Hobler new album can be described as noir folk, and the man seems to find himself at home in that genre. Check out this slow burning gem entitled "See What You’re Doing to Me," track #2 from the artist’s upcoming album "The Elusive Yes," and get lost in the dense fog of reverb and uh-uuuhs; the saddest and most haunting melody we’ve heard in a while unravels heart wrenching lyrics about a love that hurts, with references to physical pain ("Closing both eyes while turning the other cheek") and self sacrifice ("Oh I’d give everything to you my love – ‘Til I’m pale as a ghost and blood doesn’t flow in my veins"). Don’t miss the album release party this Thursday February 19 at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3.

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

Deli Readers,

Our 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, but we have finally arrived at destination: we can announce the final results. This year we heave a very electric guitar heavy chart – at least for the top positions.

We are happy to announce that Porches is The Deli NYC’s Emerging Artist of the Year, and will therefore grace the cover of the upcoming spring issue of The Deli. We’ve been fans of the band for a while now (their beautiful latest release "Slow Dance in the Cosmos" was our record of the month back in December 2013), and we’ll take this opportunity to reveal that we actually offered them the cover of The Deli twice in the past 6 months, something that didn’t materialize only because in both instances they couldn’t play a show linked to the issue’s launch. As they say, it was destined to happen!

Another recent Deli record of the month landed in second place: uber-talented solo indie rocker Mitski (a project we have a feeling will soon become a band, because, well… it sounds like a band!). Her 2014 record "bury me at makeout creek" reveals a multifaceted talent, but first and foremostly, great songwriting.

One of The Deli’s staff’s favorite genres – dream pop – gets on the podium thanks to guitarist and vocalist Drew Citron’s brainchild Beverly, whose debut album "Careers" enjoyed the creative input of ubiquitous Brooklyn DIY scene talent Frankie Rose, who left the band shortly after the record was released (that’s what ubiquitous musicians do!).

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+ NYC scene expert (our jury) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each. Then we polled our writers, 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 NYC produced in the year 2013, this list is all you need. Enjoy!

BEST OF 2014 POLL FOR EMERGING NYC ARTISTS ****** FINAL RESULTS ******

ARTIST J OS W R TOT   1 Porches 10.5     0.026 10.526 2 Mitski 9.5     0.026 9.526 3 Beverly 4.5   2 0.015 6.515 4 Charly Bliss 6.5     0.008 6.508 5 Great Caesar 5.5     0.016 5.516 6 Tei Shi 4.5   1 0.015 5.515 7 Future Punx 4.5     0.184 4.684 8 Heeney 4.5     0.129 4.629 9 Sunflower Bean 4.5     0.002 4.502 10 Little Daylight 4.5     0.002 4.502 11 Sons of an Illustrious Father   2 2 0.108 4.108   Dead Stars   2 2 0.108 4.108 13 Winstons 1 3   0.026 4.026 14 STRNGRS   3 1 0.018 4.018   Ava Luna 3   1 0.018 4.018 16 Bluffing 3   1 0.017 4.017 17 Celestial Shore 1   3 0.003 4.003 18 Jeremy & the Harlequins   2   2 4   Mainland   3   1 4 20 Christie Belanger   3   0.559 3.559 21 Ellis Ashbrook 3     0.512 3.512 22 Frankie Cosmos 3.5     0.009 3.509 23 Yellerkin 3.5     0.002 3.502   Hiss Golden Messenger 3.5     0.002 3.502 25 The Fluids 2     1.5 3.5 26 The Landing   3   0.179 3.179   Lynette Williams 3     0.179 3.179 28 GRUMBY   3   0.151 3.151 29 Hey Anna   2 1 0.103 3.103 30 Late Cambrian 1 1.5   0.548 3.048 31 Bonsai   3   0.044 3.044 32 DREAMERS   1.5 1 0.535 3.035   Teen Commandments 3     0.035 3.035   Johnnie Lee Jordan   2 1 0.035 3.035 35 Feral Foster 3     0 3.34 36 Palberta 3     0.032 3.032 37 TOONS 3     0.011 3.011 38 Run the Jewels 3     0.01 3.01   Cricket Tell the Weather   3   0.01 3.01   Hector s Pets 3     0.01 3.01 41 Rocket & The Ghost 3     0.004 3.004   Psychic Twin 2   1 0.004 NYC Porches is The Deli NYC’s Best Emerging Artist of 2014. Mitski is #2, Beverly #3 Posted on: February 17, 2015 Deli Readers, Our 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, but we have finally arrived at destination: we can announce the final results. This year we heave a very electric guitar heavy chart – at least for the top positions. We are happy to announce that Porches is The Deli NYC’s Emerging Artist of the Year, and will therefore grace the cover of the upcoming spring issue of The Deli. We’ve been fans of the band for a while now (their beautiful latest release "Slow Dance in the Cosmos" was our record of the month back in December 2013), and we’ll take this opportunity to reveal that we actually offered them the cover of The Deli twice in the past 6 months, something that didn’t materialize only because in both instances they couldn’t play a show linked to the issue’s launch. As they say, it was destined to happen! Another recent Deli record of the month landed in second place: uber-talented solo indie rocker Mitski (a project we have a feeling will soon become a band, because, well… it sounds like a band!). Her 2014 record "bury me at makeout creek" reveals a multifaceted talent, but first and foremostly, great songwriting. One of The Deli’s staff’s favorite genres – dream pop – gets on the podium thanks to guitarist and vocalist Drew Citron’s brainchild Beverly, whose debut album "Careers" enjoyed the creative input of ubiquitous Brooklyn DIY scene talent Frankie Rose, who left the band shortly after the record was released (that’s what ubiquitous musicians do!). 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+ NYC scene expert (our jury) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each. Then we polled our writers, 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 NYC produced in the year 2013, this list is all you need. Enjoy! BEST OF 2014 POLL FOR EMERGING NYC ARTISTS ****** FINAL RESULTS ******   ARTIST J OS W R TOT   1 Porches 10.5     0.026 10.526 2 Mitski 9.5     0.026 9.526 3 Beverly 4.5   2 0.015 6.515 4 Charly Bliss 6.5     0.008 6.508 5 Great Caesar 5.5     0.016 5.516 6 Tei Shi 4.5   1 0.015 5.515 7 Future Punx 4.5     0.184 4.684 8 Heeney 4.5     0.129 4.629 9 Sunflower Bean 4.5     0.002 4.502 10 Little Daylight 4.5     0.002 4.502 11 Sons of an Illustrious Father   2 2 0.108 4.108   Dead Stars   2 2 0.108 4.108 13 Winstons 1 3   0.026 4.026 14 STRNGRS   3 1 0.018 4.018   Ava Luna 3   1 0.018 4.018 16 Bluffing 3   1 0.017 4.017 17 Celestial Shore 1   3 0.003 4.003 18 Jeremy & the Harlequins   2   2 4   Mainland   3   1 4 20 Christie Belanger   3   0.559 3.559 21 Ellis Ashbrook 3     0.512 3.512 22 Frankie Cosmos 3.5     0.009 3.509 23 Yellerkin 3.5     0.002 3.502   Hiss Golden Messenger 3.5     0.002 3.502 25 The Fluids 2     1.5 3.5 26 The Landing   3   0.179 3.179   Lynette Williams 3     0.179 3.179 28 GRUMBY   3   0.151 3.151 29 Hey Anna   2 1 0.103 3.103 30 Late Cambrian 1 1.5   0.548 3.048 31 Bonsai   3   0.044 3.044 32 DREAMERS   1.5 1 0.535 3.035   Teen Commandments 3     0.035 3.035   Johnnie Lee Jordan   2 1 0.035 3.035 35 Feral Foster 3     0 3.34 36 Palberta 3     0.032 3.032 37 TOONS 3     0.011 3.011 38 Run the Jewels 3     0.01 3.01   Cricket Tell the Weather   3   0.01 3.01   Hector s Pets 3     0.01 3.01 41 Rocket & The Ghost 3     0.004 3.004   Psychic Twin 2   1 0.004 NYC White Prism announces debut LP “Open Heart Job” + lands Ace Hotel April residency Posted on: February 17, 2015 We booked NYC electro pop princess White Prism (aka Johanna Cranitch) for one of our 2013 CMJ shows – before she turned blonde. We are happy to see she’s finally ready to release her debut LP, entitled "Open Heart Job" and scheduled for an April release. White Prism recently unveiled a video for single "patience" and another single entitled "Shake You Off," both streaming, and both featured in the upcoming full length. Don’t miss her residency at Ace Hotel on every Sunday in April. NYC The Deli LA’s Best Emerging Artists of 2014: 1. Dorothy, 2. Girlpool, 3. Fever The Ghost Posted on: February 17, 2015 Deli Nation, Our Year End Poll for Emerging LA Artists was – as usual – a painstaking (and somewhat excruciating) process, but we pulled it off with remarkable flair! Congrats to Alt Rock four piece Dorothy, who won our overall poll and we therefore crown as "The Deli LA’s Best Emerging Band of the Year. " With their jubilant choruses and foot-stomping riffs, Dorothy brings an exciting modern twist to their classic rock influences. Singer… Dorothy is a tour de force: her powerful vocals and commanding presence instantly bring audiences to their feet. In the past year they’ve been regularly selling out shows in local venues and large theaters alike, a good indication that their musical journey is just getting started. Check out their break out single "Wicked Ones." Kudos also to indie folk duo Girlpool (who, sadly for us, recently left the best coast for Philly), and to quirky electro-psych-poppers Fever the Ghost, who also placed third in last year’s Best of LA poll! That must mean something – we are digging their new record as we speak. 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+ LA scene expert (our jury, listed at the bottom) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each. Then we polled our writers, then we polled our readers. We tried to keep things open for all genres, 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 LA produced in the year 2014, this list is all you need. Enjoy! BEST OF 2014 POLL FOR EMERGING LA ARTISTS ****** FINAL RESULTS ******   ARTIST J OS W R TOT   1 Dorothy 7.5     0.002 7.502 2 Girlpool 4.5   1 0.011 5.511 3 Fever The Ghost 5.5     0.003 5.503 4 Avid Dancer 4.5     0.002 4.502 5 Little Galaxies 2     2 4 6 Banta 3.5     0.008 3.508 7 Heaps N’ Heaps 2     1.5 3.5 8 Maudlin Strangers 3     0.5 3.5 9 Kiev   3   0.003 3.003 10 Moses Sumney 3     0.003 3.003 11 King Washington 3     0.002 3.002 12 Pr0files 3     0.002 3.002 13 Paul Bergmann 3     0.001 3.001 14 The Diamond Light 2     0.5 2.5 15 Lion Kings 2     0.013 2.013 16 Sex Helicopter   2   0.01 2.01 17 Dead Ships 1   1 0.01 2.01 18 Fellow Bohemian   1 1 0.007 2.007 19 Debt 2     0.005 2.005 20 Jesus Sons 2     0.003 2.003 21 Modern Time Machines 2     0.003 2.003 22 Talk in Tongues 2     0.003 2.003 23 Van Ike 2     0.003 2.003 24 Babes 2     0.002 2.002 25 Exist Elsewhere 2     0.002 2.002 26 Drab Majesty 2     0.002 2.002 27 BØRNS 2     0.001 2.001 28 Fakers 2     0.001 2.001 29 Roses 2     0.001 2.001 30 Carney 2     0 2 31 Evan Mellows 2     0 2 32 Moth & The Flame 2     0 2 33 Post Life 2     0 2 34 The Dream Club 2     0 2 35 Valley Queen   1.5   0.004 1.504 36 Carlton 1     0.018 1.018 37 Dark Furs   1   0.015 1.015 38 Dalton   1   0.013 1.013 39 Afternoons   1   0.009 1.009 40 Hi Ho Silver Ho   1   0.004 1.004 41 Dawn Thomas 1     0.003 1.003 42 Corners 1     0.001 1.001 43 Hearty Har 1     1 2 44 Holy Folk 1     0 1 45 Sullen Ray 1     0 1 46 The Dead Ships 1     0 1 47 Billy Changer 1     0 1 Legend: J = Jurors, W = Deli Writers, R = Deli Readers, OS = Open Submissions Jurors List (in random order): Molly Kodros (The Satellite), Britt Witt (Indie Rock Reviews), Dan Frazier (freebikevalet.com), Phil Jaurigui (Swing House), Anna Soffer (KXLU), Jennifer Tefft (Spaceland), Kelsey Mitchell (The Fold), Brandon Dorsky (Super Good Music), Jay Tinsky (Genghis Cohen Cantina), Matt Draper (Echo Park Records), Neil Schield (Origami), Portia Medina (music writer), Betty Elektro (Elektro-PR), Juan Rodriguez (The Deli LA). One juror asked us to remain anonymous. Hope you’ll find some awesome new artists you weren’t aware of! The Deli’s Staff