Independent Bands and Artists,

THE DELI’S YEAR END BEST OF POLLS 2010 ARE ON!
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A few weeks are left before the end of 2010, and the time has come for our end of year musical "summary". Yes, you got that right: The Deli’s "Best of 2010 Poll for Emerging Artists" is upon us!

Recent Winners: With recent winners including Local Natives, Yeasayer, Girls, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Chairlift, Those Darlins, Drink Up Buttercup,. Vivian Girls, Vampire Weekend, Reading Rainbow and High Places, our poll system has gathered a rock solid reputation.

Exposure + Prizes: To make things more interesting, the winners of the poll not only will get great exposure on The Deli’s website, but will also win prizes in Studio Time, Audio Equipment and what not from our various sponsors.

How it works: The process to determine the Year End Best of your scene’s list is rather complicated – if you want to try and get your head around it be our guest and go here. But if all you are interested in is to be part of it and get some exposure, then read on.

First phase: Open Submissions: The first phase of this poll allows ANY BAND OR SOLO ARTIST based in one of the scenes we cover to submit their music for a minimum of 3 spots in the pool of the Best of Your City 2010 nominees. This phase starts right NOW! 

The sweeping and moody intro of  “3 a.m. all the time” kick starts local four-piece Arc In Round’s latest Diagonal Fields. An at first standstill backbeat bends into soaring riffs and textured rhythms shortly after the opening track’s start, lending warranted emphasis to frontman Jeff Zeigler’s heartfelt vocals, which play out patient and melancholy. Somehow avoiding melodrama, Zeigler’s lines embody pre-dawn feelings in a concise yet profound way accessible from start to end. Coupled with polished percussion and bending tides of guitar, a confident “I don’t know what to say” is broken down to a mid-song “what to say”, marking the start of a near minimalist outro leaving the listener contemplating the philosophic value of 3 a.m. Shortly after the buzzing end of Diagonal Fields’ first, the airy optimism of “Sprit” rises with clean-cut drumbeats, bright chords, and breathy but rooted vocals. Its chorus feels like an assuring echo that eases in towards the song’s beginning and stretches towards the forefront as “Spirit” progresses. Again, the band’s knack for crafting emotive pop shines, making the core of “Spirit” vibrant with deliberate instrumentation that confronts its audience with pronounced and reflective feelings of probable transcendence and pure melody. “Follow”, well, follows, and hums with a similar resonance reminiscent of Yeasayer’s overplayed yet endearing “Ambling Alp”. Less shrill with a chiller backbeat, the synth-y swirl of  “Follow” pulses with clicking cymbal and lushly layered vocals, creating a fortified wall of sound that keeps each of the song’s components in cohesion with its counterparts, dissipating into a resounding outro seconds shy of the four-minute mark. “Light” pours out warm with rays of crisp dissonance. Undeniably, the earnestly executed chord progression of Diagonal Fields’ latter tracks serves as an audible testament to Arc In Round’s varied spectrum of emotionally charged perspective. Closing out with the instrumental and lovely “Slow Ceiling”, Diagonal Fields is a symphonic landscape that successfully holds its own. – Dianca Potts

 

 

If you are starving for new music from Chiddy Bang and can’t wait for their upcoming album The Swelly Life, then Salacious Sounds may be able please your appetite (for now). They recently posted their 10 favorite remixes by our hometown duo. Did you ever wonder what Kanye West and Radiohead might sound like together (because that probably won’t happen anytime soon)? Well, check out what Xaphoon Jones hears in his head below. And there is plenty more of that good shit here. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff  

We were getting pumped up listening to Jeff Zeigler spin some tunes with his partner in crime Joe P. this weekend at JB’s as Hello From the Children of Planet Earth, but let’s just call that an appetizer. Because this Thursday, December 2 at JB’s, Zeigler’s band Arc in Round will be dishing out tasty tunes from their new EP Diagonal Fields, and he’ll be joined by the delectable dance beats of Golden Ages and the spicy, sweet indie pop/rock of Post Post as well as Pink Skull DJs serving up mind-altering treats throughout the evening. The Deli is excited to be able to bring this show to you with our pals WKDU so loosen up your belts folks and make room for the main course! (Sorry, if we just made you hungry, and you have no more Thanksgiving leftovers – our bad.) – The Deli Staff

 

Congrats to Man Man‘s Honus Honus (a.k.a. Ryan Kattner)! It seems like it has been a while since we debuted our Where Is My Mind? section with Kattner (you can check out some of the interview here) where he chatted with us about his new “Doom Wop” project with Nick Diamonds (Islands/Unicorns) and Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse). Well, it’s not surprising that Mister Heavenly just signed to Sub Pop with all the indie pedigrees under their belts. Expect to see their debut album out in early 2011, and they are currently scheduled to tour the next two weeks with Passion Pit on the Left Coast. Hopefully they’ll be giving the East Coast a little love soon enough. – The Deli Staff

 

We have to admit that we think Slutever is a kick-ass name, and the title of their EP Sorry, I’m Not Sorry is unapologetically awesome. And we are kind of curious about what it’d be like to knock back quite a few drinks and have sloppy, totally inebriated relations with both of them (at the same time). But we really nominated the duo for our poll because we enjoy their brash yet fun take on songwriting. The “ladies” of Slutever will be bringing their post-riot grrrl angst to the North Star tonight with another interesting newcomer that we are excited about, Blackhawks, so there really is a reason to trek off the beaten path deep into the Art Museum area. But first, maybe you should check out our Q&A with Slutever below if you want any chance of taking both these gals home. ;o)

 

The Deli: How did the band start? 

 

Nicole Snyder: We shared an apartment last year and boredom led to jamming on some of our respective solo songs. Eventually, that evolved into us writing songs together. We knew we both wanted to make music of a similar aesthetic, and it just made total sense to hangout and get angsty together.

 

The Deli: Where did the band name Slutever come from?

 

NS: Originally we had a different project, Lux, that was this kind of dreamy pop thing that never actually materialized. And then we realized our true calling was brat punk and that we needed a new name to match the sound. Our friend Ang used the word, and the first time we saw it, we knew it was right for us.

 

TD: What are your biggest musical influences?

 

NS: I would say Bikini Kill is a total inspiration – we love the riot Grrrl scene and really thrive off playing with other female fronted acts. We really love nineties music, and I’d say that a lot of that probably shows through in our music. Non-musically, inspiration comes mostly from still feelings like lazy, sleepy, burnt out teenagers. And breakups, and fast food cheeseburgers.

 

TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?

 

NS: Locally, we love our BFF’s Omar. They’re also a punk duo and they are totally amazing. We also really love Reading Rainbow. As far as other non-local bands go, we love No Age, Marnie Stern, Deerhunter, Male Bonding, Cloud Nothings, Beach House…and Nicki Minaj – totally obsessed with her.

 

TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?

 

NS: I saw the Spice Girls in 1997 and had floor seats, but I was only like 4 feet tall and I couldn’t see anything from way in the back and spent half of the show crying about it.

 

Rachel Gagliardi: When she was pregnant with me, my mom went to see Bon Jovi.

 

TD: What do you love about Philly?

 

NS: The music scene is thriving and we love our friends to death. There’s food and beer everywhere!!!

 

TD: What do you hate about Philly?

 

NS: It’s kind of small and smelly and there’s construction everywhere and it’s hard to get space from people you don’t want to see. Like Rachel.

 

RG: Not enough authentic Mexican food. Um, get it together guys.

 

TD: What are your plans for 2011?

 

NS: 2011 holds more exciting things – our first national tour!

 

TD: What was your most memorable live show?

 

NS: We played with Cults and Best Coast at the First Unitarian Church in September, and it was sort of a homecoming for both of us and all of our friends were there. Plus playing at the church has always been a big dream of ours and we’re psyched that it came true with such cool bands.

 

TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?

 

NS: Hot pastrami and…

 

RG: French fries and coca cola.

 

– The Deli Staff

 

Our last poll was the most intense ever between City Rain and Slutever so we thought that both bands definitely deserved to share some of the honors. Below is our Q&A with City Rain’s Ben Runyan and Jarrett Z. Take a gander at what drives the duo to do what they do, or you can just catch them live tonight at Tritone and ask them yourself.

 

The Deli: How did the band start?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– The Deli Staff

 

If you were one of the lucky few enjoying a four-day holiday staycation, you’re probably experiencing the bitter feeling of having to jump back into the daily grind come Monday. It’s a painful, painful agony, but before you sulk back into work, dreading the emails you’re unfortunately gonna have to actually pay attention to, extend the joy of your holiday reprieve just a little longer tonight and head over to The Fire for some rock ‘n’ roll and ampersand dual play. Ex-Dr. Dog drummer Juston Stens will steal the spotlight during this post-Turkey Day bash with his sweeping collective, Juston Stens & the Get Real Gang (you can check out their Daytrotter session here), and their mission of sentimental vintage alt-pop/blue-collar rock hybrid, while the mysterious noisemakers Adam & Dave’s Bloodline kick it out with woolly and winsomely sharp garage-pop. Joining them will be the gifted Arrah Fisher of Philly-by way of Indiana-outfit Arrah and the Ferns. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave, 8pm, $7, 21+ (Illustration by Johnnie Cluney) – Annamarya Scaccia

 

The Thanksgiving Weekend certainly has been bringing home local favorites who’ve been out on the road repping the Philly music scene and doing us proud. The fun-loving Free Energy crew is ready to wrap-up a groundbreaking year by playing a string of shows with Weezer. But before that happens, they’ll be winding down their Foxy & Free Tour with Foxy Shazam, which stops over at the TLA tonight. Joining them on this evening will be openers Nicos Gun who are sure to be right in their element with their infectious beats and stylish first impressions. The band consists of former members from cortez! cortez!! Barney McKenna and Nick Bockrath formerly as well as Andrew Black and Harry Zelnick. The Deli featured cortez! cortez!!’s album 8 for Infinity as our CD of the Month a long while back. Nicos Gun was also a Deli poll winner and was featured in our Artist(s) Who Deserve Your Friendship column. I’m glad to see McKenna and Bockrath are still cranking out infectious tunes. If this show and their recent hallucinogenic zombie video below for “We Are Fluorescent” are any indication, then this might just be a preview of another breakout Philly band to come. Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St., 9pm, $27, All Ages (Photo by Christopher Nelson) – Bill McThrill

 

Like some unholy mix of the Shins, Pixies, and something far weirder, Aunt Dracula knows how to soothe you with delightfully warped pop melodies, only to transform it all into a chaotic thrash-fest and seamlessly back again, which is exactly what happens in the nine-minute epic “Timecoat”. It’s been over a year and half since we’ve heard from the psychedelic blood suckers, and it looks like they’ve added two new members since they’ve returned from their hiatus. Aunt Dracula are currently working on their new album with producer extraordinaire Jeff Zeigler, who will also be on the bill spinning some tunes for you Saturday night at JB’s. They’ll also be getting support from a couple of Lehigh Valley’s finest up-and-coming acts. Listening to those dreamy first strains, you’re not sure whether it’s supposed to feel relaxing, unsettling, or both (probably both). Soars, however, take that touch of disorientation and run with it, sculpting solemn shoegaze meditations full of industrial age doom and gloom which is a perfect soundtrack for these oncoming chilly winter evenings. And you really need to get to JB’s early to catch opener Headless Horseman. Hmmm…how to describe them? Their supremely spooky surface sound gives way to a surprising amount of natural hooks, and plenty of delicately enjoyable nuances. With glitchy electro beats accompanied by just about everything under the clouds wavering in and out while playfully stimulating your mind, it is easy to see why they were picked by Stereogum as a Band to Watch.  Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 8pm, $10, 21+

 

We know. You’ve had about enough. Well, here are more options to help you escape your family this weekend…

 

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Kurt Vile & the Violators and Purling Hiss, SAT Aunt Dracula, Soars, Headless Horseman

 

North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Hong Kong Stingray and The Crooks, SUN Ruder Than You

 

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Infinien, Toy Soldiers Duo, Sweetbriar Rose, Chris Kaspar, SAT Woodland Avenue, SUN Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang and Adam & Daves Bloodline

 

M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Successful Failures and Late Night Television

 

Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Toys for Tots Benefit w/ Cubehead and No Service Project, SAT Sugartown & Go Girls Music Philabundance benefit w/Jeska, Prima Donna, Allison Tartalia, and Christie Lenee, SUN The Wallace Brothers Band and City Rain

 

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT KidROCKERS w/ Sun Airway, SUN G. Calvin Weston

 

The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Fundraiser for The Barrio Planta Project w/Philly Slick and Friends, SAT Rone

 

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI New Pony

 

Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) FRI The Hooters and Beru Revue

 

Theatre of Living Arts (334 South St.) FRI Circa Survive, SAT Free Energy and Nicos Gun

 

I don’t have any children (that I know of), and I don’t plan to have any children any time soon. But if I did have children, I would certainly bring them to KidROCKERS! Beth Lorge has been doing a great job sharing the best of the indie music scene with parents and children all around the country. She has also been supportive of our local music scene by booking favorites like Drink Up Buttercup and Jukebox the Ghost as well as Power Animal (that one was my suggestion). Well, if you missed Sun Airway last week with their Pitchfork-approved Brooklyn buddies Bear in Heaven and Twin Shadow, then you should bring the fam to check out the former A-siders and hear why Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier is The Deli’s November CD of the Month. (BTW: Sorry, you can’t be at the event without a kid so you might have to legally borrow one from a family member or friend if you really have to be there. And all you creepy folks stay away! We’ve watched plenty of Law & Order: SVU episodes so we’re on to you.) World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 11:30am, adult $13; children $11 adv/adult $15; children $13, All Ages – Q.D. Tran