Below is a new, heartwarming little ditty from Wilbur just in time for Valentine’s Day called "Violet." It serves as an introduction of electric guitar and bass by the band as well as drums played by Howe Pearson (Big Tusk). The track was recorded at The Boom Room, and mixed and mastered by Max "Prime" Morgan at SoundButter Audio. Wilbur will be performing next in Philly on Friday, February 21 at Connie’s Ric Rac.

Deli Nation,

Our Year End Poll for Emerging Philly Artists was – as usual – a painstaking (and somewhat excruciating) process, but we pulled it off with remarkable flair!

Kudos to Americana-rock youngsters The Districts (photo by Harrison Knowles and video by HotBox Studios) for winning the poll! It was pretty obvious that few if any local artists had a better 2013, and things don’t seem to be slowing down for the Central PA transplants.

Huge thumbs up to "sex pop" outfit Night Panther and heavy psych rocker Chris Forsyth for placing second and third.

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 35+ Philly music community experts (our jury) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each. Then, we polled our writers and readers. All were invited to participate.

If you’d like to geek-out to all the subtleties 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 Philly produced in the year 2013, then check out all the fine homegrown acts below. The talent and diversity in our city is astounding! Also, we’d like to give special thanks to our jurors for sharing their personal favorites with us. Enjoy!

List of Jurors: Dan Bisogno (Y-Not Radio, VICE, AEG Live), Jeff Blinder (Spazz Presents), Gabrielle Bonghi (Philly.com), Kate Bracaglia (Philly.com, The Key), Eric Bresler (PhilaMOCA), Zac Camagna (The Styrofoam Drone), Jessica Craft (Rock to the Future), Ryan Crump (Philly Drum Project), Mikele Edwards (Silk City), Nick Fanelli (The Fire, Guild Shows), Stacie George (Live Nation), Kevin Horn (Underground Arts, Bonfire), Ellei Johndro (Shadowscene), Marshall Kavanaugh (Dream Oven, Little Berlin), Kevin Kennedy (The Swollen Fox), Colin Kerrigan (Out of Town Films, Philly.com), Fred Knittel (Folkadelphia, The Key, WXPN), Josh T. Landow (Y-Not Radio), Carolyn Lederach (Sofar, Communion), Barrett Lindgren (Independent Promoter, Johnny Brenda’s), Jesse Lundy (Point Entertainment), Gordon Mays (MilkBoy Philly, Bonfire), Brian McTear (Weathervane Music), Jeff Meyers (The Boot & Saddle, Guild Shows), George Miller (JUMP Philly), Andy Molholt (Independent Promoter), Mark Schoneveld (YVYNYL), Stephanie Seiple (Tri State Indie), Matt Smith (HotBox Sessions), Jon Solomon (WPRB), Q.D. Tran (The Deli Magazine), Pat Troxell (Kung Fu Necktie, Bonfire), John Vettese (The Key, WXPN, City Paper), Nikki Volpicelli (The Key), Chris Ward (Johnny Brenda’s), Bruce Warren (WXPN, Some Velvet Blog, The Key)

BEST OF 2013 POLL FOR EMERGING PHILLY ARTISTS ****** FINAL RESULTS ******

ARTIST J OS W R TOT   1 The Districts 26   2 0.012 28.012 2 Night Panther 8   3 0.004 11.004 3 Chris Forsyth 8   2 0.006 10.006 4 Cruiser 8   1 0.01 9.01 5 Commonwealth Choir 9     0.007 9.007 6 Needle Points 7   1 0.019 8.019 7 Waxahatchee 6   2 0.01 8.01 8 Hop Along 6   1 0.019 7.019 9 Drone Ranger 6   1 0.005 7.005 10 Lantern 4   2 0.037 6.037 11 Worshyper 4   2 0.008 6.008 12 The Bad Doctors 5   1 0.005 6.005   The Lawsuits 5   1 0.005 6.005 14 Cayetana 5   1 0.004 6.004 15 Alex G 3   1 2 6 16 Our Griffins 3 2   0.036 5.036 17 Swearin’ 5     0.008 5.008 18 Little Big League 4   1 0.003 5.003 19 Maitland 4   1 0.001 5.001 20 Red Martina   3 1 0.5 4.5 21 Proexibitors 3   1 0.011 4.011 22 Radiator Hospital 1   3 0.008 4.008 23 Nothing 2   2 0.006 4.006 24 Amanda X 4     0.005 4.005 25 Modern Baseball 2   2 0.005 4.005 26 DRGN King 2   2 0.004 4.004 27 Thin Lips 3   1 0.003 4.003 28 Brian Fitzy 2     1.5 3.5 29 Pine Barrons 3     0.5 3.5 30 Banned Books 3     0.04 3.04 31 Pill Friends 1   2 0.034 3.034 32 Chelsea Sue Allen 3     0.016 3.016 33 Buried Beds 1   2 0.012 3.012 34 Charmaine’s Name 3     0.008 3.008 35 Gunk 1   2 0.006 3.006 36 Break It Up 3     0.003 3.003 37 Spacin’ 1   2 0.002 3.002 38 Lushlife 3     0 3   The Wallace Brothers 3     0 3   True Gold 1   2 0 3 41 Cheers Elephant   1.5 1 Philadelphia New Track: “Open” – GrandeMarshall Posted on: February 13, 2014 Here’s a new self-produced track from rising emcee/producer GrandeMarshall called "Open," which seems the opposite of today’s theme. But it’s still your perogative to spark up and bump this loud at home. The single is off his upcoming album My Brother’s Keeper, which is scheduled for release thing spring via Fool’s Gold. Philadelphia New Radiator Hospital Split Available for Streaming & Download Posted on: February 13, 2014 Prolific songwriting Michigan transplant Sam Cook-Parrott, who records under the moniker Radiator Hospital, always seems to so nonchalantly drop little nuggets of goodness on us. He most recently released a split cassette, Total Request, with Kyle Kaos via Already Dead Tapes. You can stream and download Radiator Hospital’s side below. "These songs were written and recorded upon request from Mr. Kaos." Keep warm, and enjoy! Philadelphia Northern Liberties Winter Music Fest w/Pine Barons, Keepers, Rosu Lup & More at The Fire Feb. 12 Posted on: February 12, 2014 It seems that the Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival has brought with them more winter this week. Last night, things kicked off with The Grizful Dead, a tribute to the Grateful Dead led by local musician Griz (a.k.a. Chris Grunwald). Tonight is the start of the original music portion with local area up-and-comers Americanan-rock four-piece Pine Barons, alt rockers Family Vacation, indie-outfit Rosu Lup, indie rockers Keepers, and singer-songwriter Chelsea Mitchell (of Dirty Dollhouse). Nothing like tunes and booze to get past another storm. Cheers! The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 8pm, $8, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman   Philadelphia Needle Points Opening for Dead Meadow at Underground Arts Feb. 12 Posted on: February 12, 2014 I am always happy to say that psych rock is alive and well in Philly. And I’m excited about one of its young torchbearers Needle Points. When I say “young,” I mean that the band is relatively new, having only been together about a year or so, but their players are seasoned vets that have been kickin’ it around the Philly music scene for years. Their debut album Bom Tugangu was a welcomed surprise last year, becoming one of my favorite local releases of 2013. I’m looking forward to hearing more from Needle Points in the coming years. They’ll be opening this evening for D.C. stoner-rock crew Dead Meadow at Underground Arts. Also joining the herbal-friendly bill is garage-psych guru and hilarious host of one of my favorite web series Trippin’ Balls, Brother JT. You know what to do! Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $15, 21+ – Q.D. Tran Philadelphia Free Download: My Endless Black – Psalmships Posted on: February 12, 2014 As everyone gets ready to bear down for the storm coming our way, we thought that Psalmships‘ new live EP My Endless Black might make a nice soundtrack as you watch from your window the falling snow and sleet. The session was recorded by Fred Knittel’s for Folkadelphia in 2012 at WXPN, and includes songs from Kronotsky, Songs For a Red Bird, and more. You can stream and download the record for free below for a limited time.  Philadelphia New Music Video: “Precious” – Nicos Gun Posted on: February 11, 2014 Nicos Gun have a new music video for "Precious," a track off their new album Dream Vacation where they continue to explore their inner Prince. It features Lady Gaga drummer George "Spanky" McCurdy, Aaron Draper on percussion, and CJ Branch on keyboards. The video was directed by Brian Lipko. Nicos Gun will be performing this Thursday, February 13 at Johnny Brenda’s with Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket. Philadelphia New Video: “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” (Cover Club) – Sean Hoots Posted on: February 11, 2014 We already knew that Sean Hoots (of Hoots & Hellmouth) has a lot of soul in him. Well, here’s some more proof of it. Check out his rendition of "It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by G.C. Cameron, which was popularized once again in the 90s by local legends Boyz II Men, for Root Down in the Shadows‘ Cover Club. Get your lighters ready, and enjoy! Philadelphia Album Review: You’re Gonna Miss It All – Modern Baseball Posted on: February 11, 2014 After releasing the sleeper hit, Sports, in 2012 via Lame-O Records, which eventually received the re-issue treatment from Run For Cover Records, Modern Baseball are already back with a new full-length album entitled You’re Gonna Miss It All. Like its predecessor, the record possesses the emo trait of personal, confessional lyrics but with a more self-deprecating humor that provides the LPs with their unique charm, while musically, the band demonstrates a wider range of songwriting capabilities beyond what you’d typically find in the genre, which is what could grab the attention of new and many more fans from outside the group’s close-knit DIY circle.   With the opening strums of “Fine, Great,” you get a sense of how the origin of the song and probably many others in the band’s catalogue began to find its identity – on an acoustic guitar. However, once the rest of the group comes in, you can really hear the polished leap forward in production from Sports, which may make obvious sense to some when you learn that the record was mastered by Will Yip (Title Fight, Man Overboard, etc.) and mixed by Jon Low (Restorations, Sharon Van Etten, etc.). The first half of the album certainly has its moments fueled by the group’s impressive sense of wordplay, but it’s the second half of the LP that demonstrates the signs of Modern Baseball’s possibility to reach a broader audience. “Charlie Black” is a power-pop anthem that could accidentally find its way on to modern rock mainstream radio stations (if the band decides to make a radio edit version), but the song’s transition from its ending static noise to one of the more lovelier moments on the album, “Timmy Bowers,” with its laidback guitar picking that accompanies the honest lament of “wait a minute because I’ve been living more like a piece of shit without you…”   Modern Baseball’s ability to capture the feelings of heartbreak in a poetic yet real world vernacular is what I think is the band’s strongest songwriting attribute, well, that and their earworm hooks, which will eventually snag them a larger fan base ready to immerse itself in the group’s music and sing-along to every word – a connection that most artists wish they could make with their audiences. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself doing the same. – H.M. Kauffman