Christmas in Los Angeles has an ambiance that is all its own. Whether it be the crazies in their elf hats ringing bells on the boardwalk in Venice, the drunken "Santas" on Hollywood blvd. trying to make some extra cash, or the twinkling lights at the grove reflecting on the man-made pond next to the 110 ft Christmas tree, it’s a time of year that holds a fond place in our hearts. Act As If made a music video for their version of "Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree", and I must say it definitely made me want to spike my pumpkin latte and decorate my house. The comforting sounds of the ukulele, sweet chimes of the xylophone, the weeping electric guitar, and the lightly crashing cymbals will have you snapping your fingers and swaying side to side with holiday cheer. 

Don’t miss their show on December 14th at The Viper Room!

–Jenna Putnam

Oh to be young and in love, tip-toeing on the edge of a dream. It sure makes for good songwriting, and in this case, a good storyline for a music video. Olin and The Moon just released the video for their new song "Waking Up". They will continue to keep a good name for folk-indie music, releasing their 4th album titled "Footsteps" in January. They will also hold down Tuesday nights at The Echo that same month, serving as their "record release residency". Stay tuned for all the upcoming details!

Olin and the Moon "Waking Up" Official Video from Eric Maldin on Vimeo.

It’s not all that often that I hear a band that labels themselves as new wave actually sound like new wave. White Apple Tree is one of those bands, conjuring up images of legwarmers and those color changing neon shirts. While they still retain the 80’s swagger of their brethren, they keep the energy up on their newest EP released earlier in November, Peach Hat. I’m not going to lie, but I think "Youth II" will be on heavy rotation on my car stereo, and I can recommend the same for the rest of you. Seriously, crank it up; it’s fine if you get some dirty looks from old people, they don’t know any better.

-Angelo Lorenzo

What’s better than seeing new wave rock quartet Kitten play a show with 60’s surf-indie band Blonde Summer? A $5 happy hour on food at drinks at Saint Rocke, one of the best venues of the South Bay area. If you’re not familiar with the bands, Kitten sounds like The Smiths if Morrisey was replaced with Karen O of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Blonde Summer has an acid-washed, Southern California alternative sound. They will be playing at Saint Rocke in Hermosa on December 8th, doors open at 5pm so come early an enjoy a couple sundowners before the show starts at 8pm!!

-Jenna Putnam

Terraplane Sun, a blues-rock 5 piece from Venice, has just released their sophmore album "Coyote". The 9 tracks scream raw, gritty folk-rock with a blues overtone. The Intro is a slower progressive piece full of dreamy reverbs, about a girl losing her mind in the city. The second track, "Won’t Bring Me Down" has a Southern rock feel. Following is "Tell Me I’m Wrong", an angst-ridden song starting out with heavy to chiming electric guitar sounds, and Gabe Feenberg switching from the Wurlitzer to the trumbone during the bridge. "Slow Train" is a soft, relaxing tune with frontman Ben Rothbard whistling away on the harmonica and showcasing his vocals, Dylan-esque but hitting each note straight on. The electrifying song "Lightning" infuses off-kilter jazz beats with rock ‘n’ roll. "Where I Stand" is one of those ballads that every girl wishes was written about her, with the romantic sounds of the mandolin and lyrics to back it: "Oh pretty girl won’t you sing me a song/ Go and lay out the ways in which I’ve gone wrong/ Well I come around here to cleanse my soul/ Moving this fast was never my goal". After that is lost and lonely "Misdirection" followed by "Funnel of Love", a sort of chasing song with a 60’s swing feel and impressive arpeggios. The album ends with "L.A. Blues", a song that any local in the city of angels can relate to.

Listen to "Coyote" HERE, and keep your eyes and ears peeled. These fellows are the real thing. 

–Jenna Putnam 

Recommendations flood our inboxes constantly here at the Deli, but Jack Littman stood out of the most recent bunch. Naming influences like Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Neil Young, his music is decidedly folk. There is one song though, "GOT2HAVU" shows Littman is willing to break the mold of his chosen genre to incorporate drum machines and synths — the kind of thing that would make Ric Ocasek proud.

He’ll be Hotel Cafe with Patrolled by Radar on Dec. 19th.

-Angelo Lorenzo

Click here for a free download of their song "Fair Game", off of their second studio album "Release Me". 

Click here to listen to their live studio interview on DJ Rossstar’s Punk Rock Show tonight at 7pm!

–Jenna Putnam

I had the pleasure of hitting up the Mint last week with a few friends over a recommendation of the band Eulogies. With two previous albums, they weren’t on my radar until that night, but their brand of demure indie rock was refreshing. I’ve been catching up with their catalog in time for their album release in January.

While I expected good things from Eulogies, I was truly blown away by a little known band called Infantree. The boys were instrument switching between guitar, bass, and banjo all set and I have a good feeling that one of their main influences must be the band Gomez. I’m excited to try and catch them live again, or at least get a hold of some recordings.

-Angelo Lorenzo

With all my indie cred, sometimes it’s ok to give into pure pop. It’s a guilty pleasure. Kina Grannis is one of those artists; I’ll refrain from naming the others out of sheer number. The songwriting is sweetly pure and there doesn’t seem to be this forced pretense you find with other artists in the genre, at least not on most of her songs. She independently released her debut LP, Stairwells, in Feburary of this year and has landed her music on a few TV shows like General Hospital and College Life. With a resume like hers, I was a little surprised to see that her Dec. 10th show at the El Ray will be her first major headliner. It should be an interesting night from this girl from Mission Viejo.

Download "Someone Else’s Heart"

-Angelo Lorenzo

After their magical transformation from well respected duo to powerhouse four-piece, Rumspringa rececently released their debut LP, Sway. To follow, the band also released the video for their first single "Triptych". A sexy, tripped out, animated journey, kudos to director Winona Regan. The band conjures up a mix of psychedelic and lo-fi garage rock that you can experience at their next show Dec. 5th at the Bootleg Theater.

Download "Triptych"

-Angelo Lorenzo