Big Ups – who played our 2012 NYC B.E.A.F. Fest – have been getting a lot of attention lately as a result of their highly anticipated and forthcoming LP titled ‘Eighteen Hours of Static’ due out on 1/13 via Dead Labour & Tough Love Records. They recently scored a much hyped review from Noisey.com, that’s currently streaming their entire album. The local punk masterminds portray a hardcore vibe of Black Flag and Kill Your Idols, fused with melodic post-punk and sort-of-indie rock verses. The LP release show (where you can snag an early copy of the record) will go down tonight at Shea Stadium, so be there if you’re into punk madness – because these guys really ARE crazy when on stage. Washer, Mannequin Pussy & Flagland are also on the bill. Listen to “Goes Black” from the upcoming LP below! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor) 

We keep churning out results from the open submissions for our Best of NYC 2013 Poll for Emerging Artists – here are the winners for the ALT ROCK.

When we say Alt Rock – by the way – we mean punchy rock music that’s melodic and inspired to the alternative rock music of the 80-90s, from Aerosmiths to Pearl Jam and Weezer.

Total submissions in this category: 37

Artists Qualified to the next stage (Readers’ Poll, starting around 01.15):

1. Spirit Animal – 8.16 (out of 10)
2. PUSHMETHOD – 7.33
3. Late Cambrian – 7
3. Active Bird Community – 7

Honorable Mentions (scores above 6)
Raccoon Fighter, Watermelon, Von Shakes, The Bushwick Hotel, The Como Brothers Band, Dirty River, Gillian, Butchers of Sky Valley, Ceramics, Grand Electric, Revolving One, Slim Wray, STRNGRS.

Jurors: Quang Tran (Deli Philly), Terra James Jura (Deli Nashville), PDG (Deli NYC)

Stay tuned for more results, and then for the readers’ poll!

The Deli’s Staff

Active since 2010, alt folk trio Poor Remy has stepped thing up a (big) notch in 2013 with their four song debut EP "Still Sleeping," which features enthusiastically strummed acoustic guitars, basic percussions, a remarkable amount of two to three part harmonies mostly sung at the top of their lungs, and melodies ranging from the haunting (‘Wrecking Ball’) to the uplifting (‘North Carolina’ – streaming). The band topped our Best of NYC 2013 Open Submissions ALT FOLK category with a staggering 9.16 rating (out of 10).

The full results for the NYC Year End Poll’s ALT FOLK submissions are here.

Rilgood spits raps like he’s furious with the microphone. In “Flying Pig Theory” he boasts, “lookin’ at my rhymebook is like lookin’ at Medusa.” Indeed, his stony perspective reflects a cold and hard world and the gravelly character of his voice defies his youthful look and carries the weight of his sentiments like a freighter full of masonry. Between verses in “Flying Pig Theory” he speaks against degenerating rap values, but his raps don’t necessarily deviate from the familiar themes of guns, alcohol, misogyny and the deadly “rules of the game.” In “Chinese Chess” from the “Great Expectations” mixtape, he falls into step with Public Enemy and N.W.A. saying, “We don’t really rap, we just recollect the facts.” However, he might have to turn down his swagger a smidge if he really wants those facts to be heard.

The full results for the NYC Year End Poll’s HIP HOP/OTHER submissions are here.

More results from the open submissions for The Deli’s Best of NYC 2013 Poll for Emerging Artists – these are for the ALT FOLK category.

We define ALT FOLK the genre played by musicians who are trying to redefine traditional American music, or by songwriters with an edge. This is a budding scene in NYC, hence the high number of submissions and qualified artists. We were happy to see some truly talented artists here – check out those scores!

Total submissions in this category: 34

Artists Qualified to the next stage (Readers’ Poll, starting around 01.15):

1. Poor Remy – 9.16 out of 10.
2. Suzanna Choffel – 9
3. Brooms – 8.83
4. Cassandra Jenkins – 8.66

Honorable Mentions (scores above 7):

Bird Courage, Great Elk, Don Ryan, Erin Barra, Són Boom, Tall Tall Trees, Gandhi, Inland Traveler, /_drian Daniel, Orly, Robin’s Egg Blue, St. Lenox, Cheap Blue Yonder, The Butcher Knives.

Jurors: Jason Behrends (Deli Chicago), Jake Reed (Deli New England), PDG (Deli NYC)

Stay tuned for more results, and then for the readers’ poll!

The Deli’s Staff

What’s a music teacher from Austin to do after scoring a million hits on YouTube with a beautiful cover of ‘Landslide’ on NBC’s ‘The Voice’? Move to Brooklyn and become our borough’s (not so) best kept secret.

Suzanna Choffel has huge chops, (despite her diminutive stature), and those pipes usually mean business. Tracks like ‘Race Car’ and ‘Hot Shot’ from her just -released LP ‘Archer’ bring home a confident medley of her country and soul roots, to a broken heart constantly challenged to do her thing her own way. Think Dusty Springfield… with a little more grit. Check out beautiful DIY video of "Golden Fires" below. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) 

The full results for the NYC Year End Poll’s ALT FOLK submissions are here.

In case you missed it, Brooms’ latest release from last year, ‘Fuzzy Waters,’ is about as close to New Orleans as you’re liable to come while still being stuck nearer to the Hudson. If lead singer Matt Cascella’s hoarse tenor doesn’t pull you in with his enchanted screams in tracks like ‘Something Happened Along the Way,’ just wait until you hear some of the brilliant orchestrations behind band mate Brett Crudgington’s horn and string arrangements (and I think I may have heard a toaster in there somewhere too) found throughout the ride. This is singer-songwriter music for fans of early Randy Newman, or late Tom Waits, operating by a simple and effective policy: just because you’re baring your soul, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. Check out ‘Front of the Plane’ below. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

The full results for the NYC Year End Poll’s ALT FOLK submissions are here.

Greg Banks, hailing originally from Louisiana, has been infusing the airwaves with his Big Easy sultry croon since 2007. Silky and soulful, he vacillates from a classic R n’ B lilt in “Magazine Street” to a more robust vocalization reminiscent of recent Andre3000 in “Brooklyn Girl.” There is definitely a 90’s vibe that permeates his catalogue, a nod to the New Jack Swing pioneered by Bobby Brown with hits like “My Prerogative.” The vibes of the 90’s may be making a comeback, but Greg Banks is way ahead of the curve. – Open Submissions Hip Hop category full results here. – BrokeMc

The four piece band of indie pop-rockers and one of the newer additions to the local Indie scene known as Charly Bliss, take the raggedy but radiant vocals of Eva Grace Hendricks and combine them with the band’s inherent knack for tense power rock. Their newest single released and recorded at Converse Rubber Tracks last month titled “Clean” exemplifies this, with its stinging turns, distortion and catchy rhythm and lyrics. They are set to play Brooklyn’s Muchmore’s on 1/12 with Big Tusk and The Rotaries. Listen to the staggering single below! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

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

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Here are more results related to the open submissions for our Best of NYC 2013 Poll for Emerging Artists – this is the HIP-HOP/OTHER category.

Not a lot of submissions in this category but some really quality artists, check them out!

Total submissions in this category: 9

Artists Qualified to the next stage (Readers’ Poll, starting around 01.15):

1. Rilgood – 7.66
2. Greg Banks – 7.5

Honorable Mentions (scores above 6.5):

Joel (aka MaG), HASINA, Brittany Campbell, Jesse Fischer, Empire Beats.

Jurors: Ben Tledo (Deli Portland), Jordannah Elizabeth (Deli SF Bay), Jason Grimste (Deli NYC)

Stay tuned for more results, and then for the readers’ poll.

The Deli’s Staff

Playing a unique blend of quiet folk and medieval music, Natalie Mering releases her music under the name Weyes Blood (pronounced like "wise blood"). With a voice that echoes masters from the early 1960’s folk scene, Natalie’s music has a soulful resonance that at times peaks in religious chanting. Traditional acoustic guitars are offset with distant rattle-chain percussion, echoed thumps and ethereal keyboards. She previously added her rare voice to notable works like Ariel Pink’s 2012 4AD release “Mature Themes,” (singing back up on the song “Early Birds of Babylon”), and she’s also accompanied the Haunted Graffiti live on tour. Recently signed to Mexican Summer, Weyes Blood has a new record in the works for 2014 that promises a further evolution to her uncommon sound. – Dave Cromwell

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