Cassorla is the project of multi-instrumentalist Ben Cassorla, who recently put out an EP of songs recorded in Los Angeles, Portland and Paris. Gathering his Amigos, which coincidentally is the name of the album, he used limited instrumentals, ‘vocals doubled roughly, muted drums, old analog delays, cheap tremolos, vintage microphones and a guitar’, to create an ensemble of sounds strong enough to develop a newfound love for an undefined genre. His music is indescribable and completely original; I found it difficult trying to pinpoint a certain genre he could fall under. So instead, I was left with trying to identify genres that blend together into one: classical, underground electro, indie rock, avant-garde and some new age are just some of the genres I could pinpoint, yet they all intertwine. Future One is quite the highlight – it features Taylor Goldsmith from Dawes, and includes rough guitar picks that naturally bring out my air guitar and foot tapping skills. You can see Cassorla perform an album release show alongside Chris Bauers at the Bootleg Theater on February 24. – Kayla Hay

Cleverly named after the malicious secret society in eighties cult classic The Chocolate War, the Vigils are an instinctive quartet with a flair for grandiosity that touches upon the more sensible side of post-punk. Fronted by the slurred, yet impassioned delivery of Danny Cieplinski, the band are regulars in the West Hollywood scene, playing numerous shows week after week with a tireless drive that resonates in their impassioned performances. They’re seduced by the defiance of rock n’ roll, eschewing choppy, slightly delayed guitar chords and tight rhythmic patterns that are performed with a dramatic flair. But there’s also a danceable feel to their brisk, straightforward approach, served in a brooding swing that interlocks with their scuzzy, yet tuneful sound. The band will showcase their performance prowess next Thursday the 13th at Los Globos.

Dark and brooding, MYPET makes sultry, at times psychedelic, electro pop. Their video for "Pays to Know," is set in a fantasy-filled forest where danger lurks around every corner. I guarantee the hook will be stuck in your head for days. Peep the video below and see them live tonight as part of The Deli LA presented Kan Wakan Residency at The Echoplex with J. Laser (of M83), and Tien. – Jacqueline Caruso

Self-actualization is an arduous, life-long task. It requires vulnerability and acceptance. Embracing this attitude towards a higher existence, Lucy Miyaki is showing us her softer side with "Cool Runnings." Based on the idea of "trying to stop the cycle of self sabotage," a pattern known all too well to those following artistic paths, Tashaki Miyaki have once again captured layered emotions in their own breezy, chilled out way. The ease with which Miyaki delivers her dreamy, heartfelt lyrics is beguilingly seductive. Her voice is like a cozy cocoon waiting to wrap you up and carry you away to an enlightened consciousness. Stream "Cool Runnings" below from their bandcamp. The single is part of a limited edition 7" colored vinyl available Feb 25. Catch them live at The Troubadour on Feb. 22. – Jacqueline Caruso

Back in November, we shared White Sea’s video for "I Don’t Know," which was filled with heavenly production and imagery. White Sea is the moniker of Morgan Kibby, known for her work with M83, who has an undeniably angelic voice. Her latest single, "Prague," shows the darker side of her electro sound. Opening gently like a sweet caress with delicate, whispering harmonies, she catches you completely off guard with the thumping, gritty beat that kicks in with the chorus. Like a vampire, "Prague" woos you before it takes a satisfying bite. White Sea’s full length, ‘In Cold Blood’ is due out this March. Catch them live at The Palladium with Phantogram on February 22. – Jacqueline Caruso

"I look back, I look back", goes the chorus to Uh Hu Her’s latest electro-pop romp "Innocence", a sentiment that suitably connects with their current status as an established act. How do you evolve? It’s a thought that went through the minds of Camilia Grey and Leisha Hailey while making their third full-length release, titled Future Souls, and the answer couldn’t be any clearer: go back to writing the kind of alluring anthems that seduce the crowds to step into the dancefloor. The track transmits an electric charge with its driving hook and infectious bass groove, though its murky ambiance gives it an air of mystery and depth. Future Souls will be released via Plaid Records on March 25th. 

Multi-instrumentalist Aaron Christopher and singer-songwriter Lauren Brown are Twin Oaks, a collaborative duo whose doleful, soft-spoken brand of shadowy folk pop conveys a bevy of emotions with minimal resources. The pair recorded their second mini-LP The Lion’s Den in the intimacy of Aaron’s bedroom in Chino, which mosly centers around willowy acoustic melodies locked into Lauren’s brittle, yet evocative vocal delivery. Their sparse approach creates a spaciousness that lets the bittersweet compositions breathe, suffused with the calmness of a sunlit early morning. One could easily describe it as dreamy or blissful, but there’s nary a shrouded note – these are songs that pulsate with quiet emotion and golden-hued translucence. The duo is currently in the process of recording their debut full-length, which should further illustrate their delicate timbre. – Juan Rodríguez

I first heard talk of Moses Sumney after his jaw-drapping live performance this summer at The Bootleg during the KING Residency. With a series of microphones set to different looping mechanisms, Sumney creates a one-man show that rivals most full band performances. His voice alone is uniquely textured and souful enough to make heads turn, but his talents don’t end there. His innovative creativity is on full display in every aspect of each song he crafts. To declare him The Deli’s 2013 Best LA Emerging Artist is an honor for us and to say we are floored by his talent and vision would be an understatement. He plays this coming Monday at KCRW’s It’s A School Night at Bardot. Clear your schedule and be there. This will definitely be your last chance to see him for free and in such an intimate setting. Streaming below is "Alchemy" along with a video of his live performance at The Bootleg.

If you’ve been reading The Deli LA at all this year, you know we’ve been following local art-pop band Body Parts as they slowly released single after single from their now fully released debut album, ‘Fire Dream.’ Their epic residency to celebrate the release at The Satellite this November will not soon be forgotten. Co-founders, Ryder Bach and Alina Cutrino, are overflowing with ideas and the chops to match. The band just finished up a string of west coast dates with Cloud Control. They’ll be opening for synth-pop trio, Wildcat! Wildcat! at The Echoplex on February 21. While you wait for this night of sweet jams, stream "Unavoidable Things," which smartly unfolds the story at the crux of the album.

2013 was certainly the year newly formed, Fever The Ghost, emerged. Quickly rising to the top of every promoter and blogger’s year end list of "Ones to Watch," and the like, with their engaging live shows and quirky image. They may have the antics to grab any usually skeptic listeners’ attention, but they also have the songs to back up the hype. Psychedelia is at the forefront of their sound, but pop is the glue holding it all together. Their very recently released debut EP, ‘Crab In Honey,’ is a journey into effects-drenched absurdism akin to early Zappa, but they never go too far astray as to take themselves too seriously. The first single, "Source," is a snappy, upbeat tune with layer upon layer of trippy textures, space-bound synth lines, and beefy guitar riffs. This February see them every Monday at The Detroit Bar for their free month-long residency.

Queen Caveat’s lead singer Lauren Little has a captivating and slightly gritty edge voice with a bewitching stage presence that makes heads roll – literally. She consumes the audience’s attention by moving around the stage, making a lasting impact on listeners and leaving them longing for more. Lyrics, in my opinion, are the most important piece of the music puzzle and are what hypnotize and pull me into a song. So when band member/lyricists Ben Epand and Lauren Little wrote "Resilient Me" and "Mr. California", it really struck me straight through the heart. Its capability to bounce me back from a daunting mood is enough to make me, and anyone else, buy the whole damn album. Mr. California’s theme seems to have a vendetta against men; not all men in general, but the atypical behavior of a drunk man in a bar, hitting on the women who clearly have no interest. Moving to L.A. at the young age of 19, Little was thrown into a culture where society had stamped men as a different type of breed. Lauren’s take on her own song was to, “Stop worrying about what other people think, be who you are and don’t listen to them. That’s what the song is really about, that’s the message; I won’t listen to you.”

The four-member group includes lead singer Lauren Little, guitarist Ben Epand, bassist Will Weissman and drummer Jesse Magnunson. Queen Caveat has been together since 2010 and has only grown more dynamic, with nationwide buzz spreading on this rock group; they’ve performed at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Moving right along, they have also played in L.A. at some exceptional venues such as The Roxy, The Viper Room, The Penthouse at the Hollywood Tower, and were even featured in a 2-hour documentary called ‘Sunset Boulevard’ that aired on ABC’s 20/20. Touring the country and living in a van is a preference the group has, but they also want, “… to become greater people, write better songs, reach out to as many people as possible and expand as individuals. This isn’t just about making money and becoming famous, it’s about finding out who you are.” Preparing for the release of their new record on February 11th , and contrary to the run-of-the-mill EP release, Epand talked about partnering with Swing House Studios to host a massive warehouse party for friends and family. Future plans? “We want to be the first band to play on Mars, and the moon – that’d be pretty cool, no one has done that yet.” I look forward to the day that happens, my friends. – Kayla Hay

Congratulations to Inner Wave for winning the Reader’s Poll portion of our LA 2013 Best Emerging Band Poll. The fans have spoken, and Inner Wave has risen to the top. Delicately walking the line between experimental psychedelia and indie pop, Inner Wave encompasses that youthful free-spirited ocean-splashing west coast sound. The all male quintet fill their songs with layers of guitars and quirky synth melodies, all while lead singer, Pablo Sotelo croons with raw passion like his voice is being beamed in from a bygone era. Their debut EP, III, is an impressive offering filled with pop gems and mature musical ideas. I’d give their potential for blowing up in 2014 a "Local Natives," you know, on a scale from "Your Dorm-Mate’s Ableton Side Project" to "Lorde." Stream III below from bandcamp.