An all-female Bay Area based line up will be supporting Santa Barbara’s Rainbow Girls at the Fillmore in San Francisco on January 31st. For the first time, the Fillmore will host a line up of all women led bands. The Oakland based surf pop band The Hot Toddies along with San Francisco’s leading riot grrrl rock ensenble, The She’s and the Bay Area based singer/songwriter, Kendra McKinley will be taking over the venue while playing their ecclectic styles of music.

It’s great to see that there’s always something groundbreaking going on in the local music scene. You can’t say you’ll ever be bored on a random night in the Bay Area. Make sure you go out and support these hardworking bands!

San Francisco based gospel psych revivalist band, Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah are throwing an epic album release party featuring some of the brightest musicians in the local neo psych rock scene.

The band’s anticipated full length self-titled album is set for release on January 20th! The album release party at the Milk Bar in San Francisco will go down on January 17th.

The live show will feature performances by special guests: Annie (Annie Girl and the Flight), Fast Eddy (Down Dirty Shake), Sivan Gur-Arieh (Everyone is Dirty), Danielle and Seth Stowaway (Sweetwater Black), Jimmy Dias (The Love Dimension), Jordannah Elizabeth, Sean Olmstead (FpodBpod), Nick Dumitriu (Turn Me On Dead). During first set of the evening, the special guests will join the band on stage to perform some classic covers, and the second set of the show will be Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah performing songs off their forthcoming self-titled record.

This event is looking like it’s going to be one of the most exciting local shows of the year. Do your best to make it out!

San Francisco based singer/songwriter, Justine Lucas will be celebrating the release of her new album tonight. Make your way to the tucked away acoustic venue, Viracocha in the Mission District to hear some super high quality bluegrass, post modern folk music. Lee White and Nelsen & Farney (members of Electric Shepherd and The Love Dimension) will support Lucus, whose voice is milky and flawless.

Justine Lucas is one of the original members of the gypsy folk rock band, The Jaunting Martyrs and released her debut solo album, Hologram Lagoon in December 2013. Now the follow up has finally been completed and we recommend you support this talented local artist and experience some really beautiful acoustic tunes.

Oakland based heavy psych prog band. Mondo Drag is preparing to release their new self titled LP on January 16th. We’re excited to announce that you can pre-order the album via Kozmik Artifactz‘s online store right now! Copies are available in CD or 180 gram vinyl formats. This is a perfect opportunity to be in the know before everyone gets their hands on this anticipated local release.

You can download Mondo Drag’s new single, Crystal Vision Open Eyes below:

One of the most important things an editor should be able to do is understand their readers. I’m not a psychic or anything, but I do realize that even though people may agree on their fave music blogs, everyone is essentially unique. If you have a good idea of what environment you might enjoy the most on New Year’s Eve, here are some options that will hopefully be a good fit for your individual party needs.

The Deli SF Editor in Chief
-je

If You Want Something Normal – City Hall – SF

You can always go right downtown to City Hall in San Francisco and bring in the New Year with a bunch of enthusiastic strangers. Think about it, you don’t have to have a date, you can meet up with a group of friends and meet new people while you’re celebrating at a mass outdoors event. It’s free, it’s fun and you can bring your grandmother whose in town and really old. It’s family friendly so you won’t have to worry about leaving her alone to go out and get wasted.

If You Want Something Kinky – The Amory – SF

You can go party at the place where they shoot hardcore BDSM porn for Kink.com. If you’re looking to get into some dirty trouble, you should attend the massive NYE party, hosted by Vau de Vire, Opel Productions & Kink.com. The party will include internationally known DJ’s, a Kink.com VIP Lounge and a number of provocative performance spectacles. At the very least, I can pretty much guarentee you’ll see breats…if that’s what you’re into, enjoy!

If You Want Something Familiar – The Milk Bar – SF

If you don’t want a lot of pressure on NYE, you can grab a drink and check out some live rock and roll at The Milk Bar. The door is affordable and if you’re a part of the local music and arts scene, there is a very good chance you’re going to run into at least one person you know. The Milk Bar is the hub for the local scene. Its got a chill vibe and a fun atmosphere.

If You Want Something Artsy – Imagine Affairs Art Lounge – Oakland

If you’re looking for something quiet, a bit classy and out of the way, Imagine Affairs Art Lounge in Oakland will be throwing a party with live music, dinner and champagne. So, you’re in some cheesy relationship where you actually want to cuddle and talk and stuff, this may be the best place for you. It’s ok to want to avoid crying drunk ladies and vomit…it really is.

If You Require a Burger and Beer – Woods Bar and Brewery – Oakland

Woods Bar and Brewery will be providing a burger bar at their NYE party. Yes, you read right. You can eat and be merry while being surrounded by a bunch of micro brews and good times. The evening will also include unlimited beer, wine and empanadas. If you’re a foodie – and don’t care who knows – go there.

The San Francisco based rock band, Down and Outlaws will be performing tonight at the Independent in support of the Canadian powerhouse of a one man band, Reignwolf. This is going to be a night of heavy fuzzed out blues rock. Reignwolf has been compared to Jack White and loved to listen to Ray Charles and Howlin’ Wolf when he was a kid. If you’re into any of those artists you should check out Down and Outlaws early in the evening and stay late to get the full effect of the garage rock blues experience of Reignwolf.

Since 2015 is only a week away I thought I’d take a little time and highlight a few of my favorite local albums of 2014. I get numerous submissions every day and there are certainly some great releases that slip through my fingers, but the special thing about these albums is that I chose many of them from memory because they simply stood out. I’ve watched some of these artists create their albums from start to finish, some of them I have never met, nonetheless, like every Bay Area artist, they put their heart into their work and deserve to be recognized.

It is my pleasure and honor to serve the Bay Area as the editor of The Deli Magazine San Francisco. Thanks to everyone for sending their music, playing our shows and being so supportive. On behalf of The Deli Magazine, I wish you happy holidays and a happy new year. Let’s have a great 2015!

The Deli SF Editor in Chief

 -jordannah elizabeth

The Deli SF’s 10 Best Albums of 2014

Balms – EP

 

The Bay Area based shoegaze band, Balms has had an exciting year as their breathtakingly beautiful new album, EP received a great amount of critical acclaim. EP is a lovely and sweet yet confidently executed shoegaze/dreampop album. It’s full of evenly layered, reverb latent ballads that are sure to mellow you out while keeping you engaged from beginning to end.

Luke Sweeney – Adventure: Us

 

We love Luke long time (if you’re too yong for Stanley Kubrick films, you can just write that first sentence off as a typo). His 2014 debut full length release, Adventure: Us is a larger than life eccentric psych pop album. Sweeney has a classic rock and roll singing voice that is perfectly fused with his band’s unique and upbeat songs (which are mixed in with a few 60s-esque slow jam ballads on the album). Sweeney’s humor is always at the forefront of his work but Adventure: Us is a coherent album that spews quality and charm.

King Woman – Dove / Fond Affections

 

Kristina Esfandiari of successful dark-gaze band, Miserable has a new side project called King Woman. She’s a major band crush of ours and her single, Dove/Fond Affections has the ability to make the hairs stand on the back of your neck. Flaunting a swaying and washed out ambient compositional style, Dove/Fond Affections is eerie and entrancing. Her cover of Rema Rema’s 1980s track, Fond Affections brings life to an almost forgotten 4AD classic.

Mark Nelsen – Homeward

 

Mark Nelsen is a musical force of nature. As the electrifying singer/guitarist of the Bay Area band, Electric Shepherd, Nelsen took a trip inward and went on a personal space odyssey with his themed solo album, Homeward. This collection of songs are moving, thorough and sonically impressive. Nelsen takes you on an intergalactic trip as the other worldly tones of this album make the "lost in space" theme exciting, clear and poignant.

Al Lover – Sacred Drugs

 

Anything the San Francisco based DJ and music mixologist, Al Lover touches turns to gold. His 2014 release, Sacred Drugs is no different. This trippy, drone-psychedelic mixtape is seamless and exhibits a deep jungle shamanistic vibe. If you’re looking for an album that’s going to take you deep down the rabbit hole of an unpredictable musical dreamscape, Sacred Drugs is certainly an album you should hear.

Feather-Bright – Feather-Bright

 

Feather-Bright’s debut self titled album is a breath of fresh air. This folk indie rock album is a unique genre bending record that will keep you guessing as the album’s tracks flow from soft ballads to electric waltzes that morph into prog musical pop overtures. Feather-Bright has a musical style of their own and it’s really nice to hear a band mold their own style that doesn’t quite fit into any box.

The Love Dimension – Create and Consume

 

The SF based veteran band, The Love Dimension released an impressively thoughtful and exciting album called Create and Consume. This hardworking 60s revivalist rock band put their heart and soul into this psychedelic ode to the Universe. Create and Consume is a really special album that reflects the memory of the roots of San Francisco’s hayday of the free love culture, but this album goes deeper and takes a post modern look at love, spirituality and looking to the inner self for wisdom and artistic motive.

Joel Gion – Apple Bonkers

 

The legendary tambourine and percussionist, Joel Gion released his debut album, Apple Bonkers. It’s inspiring to see that even though he enjoys a 20 year music career, he stretched and reinvented himself in 2014. This psych pop album sounds great and shows Gion’s individual musical talent that defines his optimistic and kind spirit. Not every album can reflect the full spectrum of an artist’s presence and personality. Apple Bonkers is a real treat for true Joel Gion fans.

Known to Collapse – Collectives

 

Singer/songwriter, Kevin Lehner made his way to Oakland from Birmingham and immediately began to immerse himself in the Bay Area live music scene. Known to Collapse’ Collectives is a really beautiful alternative folk album that showcases Lehner’s competent vocal abilities. It’s not easy to make electro-acoustic albums flow well, but Collectives’ blend of acoustic guitar and tasteful effects and distortion is done in a touching and smooth fashion.

The Electric Magpie – Begins

 

The young mod-centric revivalist band, The Electric Magpie released their anticipated debut album, Begins earlier this year. This full length album does not disappoint as it is doused with memorable tracks that inhabit an surprising level of depth coming from such young songwriters. Begins delivers a well produced collection of throwback tracks that are full of color, expression and humor.

 

Congratulations to Le fomo for winning The Deli Magazine San Francisco’s Artist of the Month poll. We asked, you voted and this San Francisco based electro experimental pop band came out on top. They’re an uber creative group and are working hard while releasing a new music video.

We wish them all the success in their musical endeavors!

San Francisco based art nouveau musician, Kristina Esfandiari, best known for her work with the music project Miserable, has put together a new band called, King Woman. The band recently released a single entitled, Dove/Fond Affections and is now preparing to release a 12 inch EP with Flesner Records.

If you don’t know anything about King Woman, check her music out. The band creates an emotive washed out wall of sound that is experimental and leaning towards ambient art rock. Check out the title track of the new album below and keep your eyes open for the release of the 12 inch release of King Woman’s EP, Dove.

Oakland based noise punk band, MUSK has released a new music video for their cover of The Chrome Cranks song, Drag House. The music video is as visually loud and jarring as the song, cutting from one clip of uber masculine archetypes to another, ie: explosions, monsters and fast cars. No complaints here. Check out the video below!

San Francisco based psych blues band, Sleepy Sun is playing an all ages show at Brick and Mortar Music Hall on Wednesday, December 17th. Sleepy Sun is a passion drenched veteran psych band whose music is moving and addictive. Bay Area staple, DJ Al Lover will be performing his music as well. His mixes fill a room like a psych experimental mist that washes over your ear drums and senses. SF based hard rock band, Banquet will be opening the show, making this line up a collection of heavy vibed musicians. Therefore, we think you should indulge in this upcoming show and let the experience speak for itself.

San Francisco based synth thrash band, Le fomo is teaming up with Slow Clap Productions to host a collaborative music video sneak peak at El Rio this weekend, December 12th. They’ll be premiering the avant sci fi music video for the band’s single, Saganometrics.

We always say that we love unique and creative events, so this is an opportunity to grab a sneak peak at a really interesting visual arts collaboration. Get out and do something different this weekend. Celebrate with Slow Clap and Le fomo! The official release of the video will be on December 15th.