Tender Loving Empire’s 11th annual Friends and Friends of Friends compilation is being released soon. TLE has described it as “by far the best grouping of music that we’ve ever been able to put in one place at one time.” But that’s not all the record label is giving us. TLE and White Owl Social Club are teaming up to throw All Together Festival. The festival, which takes place next Saturday, August 18th, is a celebration of the compilation release. It will feature live sets from local acts such as Luz Elena Mendoza of Y La Bamba, Chanti Darling, and The Fur Coats. The bands will be playing starting at 2 in the afternoon, and starting at 10 DJ’s Rap Class and Max Bass will be taking over. The show is 21+, and free. You can find the event page and full lineup here, and pre-order the Friends and Friends of Friends compilation here.

  -By Avril Carrillo

-By Avril Carrillo, photo by Jason Quigley

XRAY.FM is throwing a “mini music fest” this Sunday, August 12th at White Owl Social Club. There will be performances by Natasha Kmeto, Just Pretend, Miss Rayon, and Plastic Cactus. Chanti Darling will also be doing a DJ Set. However, this mini fest isn’t limited to live performances, as there will also be a curated record fair, plenty of food, and even an XRAY pop-up photobooth. Doors open at 2pm, the record fair goes until 8pm, and music goes until 11pm. The festival is 21+, and although entry is free a $5-10 donation at the door is suggested. You can check out the full lineup here.

By Nick Hartman

Here at the Deli, we love it when great local artists get the recognition they deserve. Local favorite Haley Heynderickx was not only just featured in Rolling Stone, but she also just got on NPR’s Tiny Desk! Heynderickx, known for rich vocals and a uniquely dark folksy style, has just returned to town after a summer on tour.

Her Tiny Desk performance is true to form. Heynderickx is endearing as always, tender both in attitude and in her music. At one point the band gives 5 seconds of “intimate eye contact” to the camera, so as to show the people back home that they love them. Well Haley, you’re equally as loved and we’re glad to have you back.

By Avril Carrillo, Photo by Alessandra Leimer

If you’re in the mood for something to listen to while slow dancing in a darkly lit room, look no further than Charlie Moses. Many of her songs are romantic and gentle, as soft as a feather brushing across your cheek. They also contain some darker notes, lyrics that are playfully disquiet and toy with the listener’s sense of unease. Think late 1950’s film noir. However, the album also has some peppier, more pop oriented songs as well. The song “8-5” has a distinct indie-pop sound, similar to Mitski or Angel Olsen. Listening to it places you in a warm summer day, driving down the road with your windows down and the wind whipping your hair around.

Charlie Moses will be playing a benefit show this Wednesday, August 8th at the Turn Turn Turn, along with Half Shadow and Sunbaby. All proceeds will go to IRCO, Families Belong Together, and The Young Center LA. 

By Avril Carrillo, Photo By Chelsea Parret 

Chanti Darling’s latest album R&B Vol 1 is going to be released via Tender Loving Empire tomorrow. I don’t believe anyone could create a more perfect fusion between the aesthetics of a neon-lit arcade and classic house music. It’s a unique and inventive sound, an ethereal electric noise that sends chills down your spine. This is especially true given the depth and range present in Trü’s voice. R&B Vol 1 sounds like what would happen if Crystal Waters and Grace Jones decided to team up in 2018. Even the slower, more emotional songs will get people dancing. “Running” is my personal favorite, as it sounds like a smooth flowing waterfall interspersed with heavier beats. The debut single, “Casual” features The Last Artful, Dodgr whose voice is as beautiful as ever. The song is romantic and sultry, perfect for locking eyes with the beautiful stranger across the dancefloor. You can check out the video for “Casual” below!

So basically, to sum up; the album is just so damn good. The record release show will be next Wednesday, August 8th at the Doug Fir, with Gold Casio and Guayaba. 

-by Avril Carrillo 

Kids’ Table is, as the name would suggest, young and earnest. Made up of three queer siblings, whose mission is “to end your local gender,” the band has no qualms about who they are as musicians. They have a melancholic and bittersweet lyrical style most folk-punk bands would kill to have. “Tambourine Song” is most emblematic of this. Musically the song is lighthearted and uplifting. It sounds like what would happen if Neutral Milk Hotel was more pop oriented. The music is well-suited to the emotional lyrics, which are despondent without becoming bitter. The lead vocals are often out of key, an intentional stylistic choice that strengthens the beauty of the band’s music. It creates an off-kilter tone that highlights the emo aspects of the band’s sound. Kids’ Table is here to show the world both the beauty of being a queer kid, and the difficulties they face. They do a remarkable job.

The Bedroom’s dystopian daydreams give you all the doom with none of the gloom. Though the band’s mood is certainly on the darker side, it’s never too heavy or depressing. With a mix of goth aesthetics, new wave heart, and post-punk sound, The Bedrooms have a unique and enjoyable sound. Their latest album “Dystopia Today” shows incredible range and depth. Some songs such as “Raconteur” give you serious "Friday Im in Love" vibes. With other songs like “I’m not Alive” the band could be in a dark, damp basement surrounded moshing bodies. The album provides a great balance between rough and soft. The Bedrooms may be singing about the world ending, but they’re just getting started.

Photo by Bloodbath Photography 

If there could only be one word to describe Mal London’s music it would be beautiful. Listening to the artist and producer’s crystalline beats is the musical equivalent of watching glass break slowly in reverse. His interstellar trip hop takes the listeners out of their mind and into Mal’s. On “if you don’t wanna rap don’t click” the beats are deftly interwoven with the song’s vocalizations. It creates a graceful soundscape. Mal is also equally talented as a rapper. His voice slips through songs smoothly and languidly, creating the rhythm at his own pace. Rather than letting the beats lead his rap or vice-versa, he takes charge of both at the same time. His latest music video for his song "new leaf." can be watched below. 

Photo by @noahrichardphotography 

Tender Age has a new music video out for their song “Don’t Mind.” The song, which is off their newly released album Becoming Real Forever, is buzzy, frothy shoegaze. Much like the song, the video is cleverly simple and lots of fun. It features the members nonchalantly spending a lazy afternoon by the dumpster, making music and just generally having a good time. The video looks and feels like a modern day Dazed and Confused. Towards the end of the video, the band begins engaging in passive destruction of the props around them as any good drone rock band would. It’s a great reflection of the band’s attitude and style. 

Dirty Princess sounds like what would happen if the Sanderson Sisters decided to drop their wands for electric guitars instead. The band’s mix of witchy punk and fuzz rock bleeds through speakers and headphones. Although they only have three tracks on their bandcamp, each song holds its own."Street Diamonds” in particular stands out. The lead vocalist confidently bursts through the song, alternating between a subtle huskier tone and a more high pitched, confident twang. “The Man Vs. My Chevy Van” is also great. The beat is fast and steady, and the members are in great sync. Give it a listen below!

Plastic Cactus just released their second album, Moth Eyes. Plastic Cactus has always strived for a beach goth aesthetic, and they really hit the mark with this album. It is the ideal fusion of a Spaghetti Western attitude and the style of a vintage Halloween party. Listening to “Tumbleweeds” you can practically feel the hot sun on your shoulders. Moth Eyes is also a testament to the band’s skill. They weave gloomier and darker elements into their songs without dampening the album’s overall mood. On “Offbeat” the tempo rises and falls throughout the song, blending a slow crooning with faster surf beats. The softer harmonies and gentle guitar chords blend together seamlessly. It adds a pleasant lightness to band’s moody surf. It’s definitely a song you should add to your summer playlist. 

Plastic Cactus’ next show will be July 20th at Turn Turn Turn along with Melt, Baywitch, and Swamp Meat.

  By Avril Carrillo