South by Southwest is coming up fast and The Deli Magazine is proud to release its annual print issue for the festival. Featured in the mag will be Baltimore-based New God, one of the best experimental indie groups in the city. Their music is somber and atmospheric, and you’ll feel the work put into carefully constructing their albums. You’ll find their tracks easy to lose yourself in, time passing you by most pleasantly. Keep an eye on them as they announce what are sure to be fantastic shows. -Jonathan Goodwin

If a beautiful were ever to be heard, it’s certainly this new track from DC’s own Wylder, a leading indie folk band in the city. Coming in hot off packed shows at the W Hotel and DC9, this friendly sextet is keeping up with their track record of great music. Swells is uplifting, sweet even, and makes full use of the band’s talents – not many can pull of having a violin, mandolin, and keys on the same track, but Wylder certainly does. Throughout the song, you can hear each note struck and get lost in the melody before you realize it and it’s guaranteed to make the day a better one. Catch them tomorrow night, 2/19, at the IOTA Club & Cafe in Arlington. -Jonathan Goodwin

Need plans for Valentine’s Day? DC9 has just the treat for you with an awesome triple feature: The Milestones, The Humble, and YUM. at 8:30 tonight! Opening the night, YUM. is one of DC’s rising indie acts, excelling at creating upbeat, dreamy melodies that hook the listener very quickly. The Humble hails from Philly, but these neighbors from up north are kicking off a northeastern tour to celebrate the release of their new album, Act Accordingly. Check the first single below, which is a mighty fine example of where alternative meets melodic rock. Headlining the night, Baltimore boys The Milestones are back in DC to spread some love via their hypnotically catchy alt jams. Get on your feet, head over to DC9, and dance the night away, date or no date! Doors at 8, $8. -Jonathan Goodwin

Two Inch Astronaut, accompanied by DC’s Hemlines and Laughing Man, kicked off their new album release with an energetic attack on the senses.

Hemlines, DC’s favorite feminist punks, got things going with The Bear, a powerful shout from the recently released All Your Homes. You’re instantly connected when the lyrics register. Guitarist Katie asked the crowd what came to mind when she said “reflection cottage”. While the general response was of something tranquil, she replaces the assumption of peace with a term for juvenile solitary confinement. “This next one’s about those”, says Katie.

Laughing Man took it down a notch with OM-esque string play and flowing, seamless drum rolls. Pictures were painted right away with a story of meeting a man who introduced the Quran, not as some tool to convert, but as a piece of art to express his love and passion. The guitarist led us down winding paths of daydreams that ended with Islamic prayers reverberating through unfamiliar ears.

TIA’s frontman Sam was eternally grateful for the turnout, with his love for Hemlines and Laughing Man nervously expressed. The guys went straight to it with ‘Good Behavior’, a coming of age story of premature nostalgia and regret. Maybe I’m projecting, but this one hit some deeper notes. This was quickly followed by ‘Sexual Prince of the Universe’, which seemed to be the distant observation of that preppy dude you knew in high school. “This one’s about Limp Bizkit”, shouted bassist Andy as they finished with ‘Woodstock ‘99.’

Personal Life is a nervous reminder of growing up. It was fun, but nerve-wracking. TIA’s unique perspective on the subject, surely heightened by Sam’s views, now as a teacher, will have you scrambling for that book you read ten times in high school. You know the one. -Justin Bieggar

Based in Baltimore, Steadfast is the next face to find in the hip hop scene. She’s building a sound grounded in alternative and DIY, making the beat and writing the thoughtful and catchy lyrics for the new track all on her own. She released her debut single a few days ago, so be sure to give it a listen. Her musical flow is smooth and fast, backed by a tight beat, and the lyrical content is sharply tongue-in-cheek. Keep an eye on this songstress as she’s displaying great potential and will surely lay down more sick tracks in the days ahead. -Jonathan Goodwin

Last Saturday, 2/6, a beautiful thing happened at DC9 Nightclub. A sold out crowd was treated to a night of wonder as DC-based bands The Duskwhales, Broke Royals, and Wylder performed their superb music, with Wylder performing a full cover of Weezer’s debut album. Despite a late start and minor feedback problems, this show was not worth missing.

The Duskwhales kicked off the night with their typically exuberant style, belting out fast-paced, dreamy indie rock. Channeling the best of times long past and the days ahead, their sound is the stuff of youthful excellence and highly stylized stage presence. Vocalist and guitarist Seth Flynn brings a unique flavor to the stage, bushy hair masking his face and ruby red fingernails flying over his guitar. This trio has a highly refined musicality and standout personality on the scene. They released a video for their latest single, Emerald Skates, today. Also, they’ve declared themselves the only thing worth knowing in Manassas, VA, aside from the Civil War battlefields.

Following up, Broke Royals pursue being the epitome of smooth, rocking out in vests and belting out feel-good alt rock. Drummer Colin Cross possesses stellar skills at the drum kit, frequently twirling a drumstick without error between beats, while lead vocalist Philip Basnight work the crowd into a bopping mass of adulation. Their performance was energetic and engaging and they really pumped up the crowd. They recently put out their third album, The Luxury of Time Pt. III, keeping it simple for fans, and they’re releasing a new single, On My Way, on 2/19.

Headlining the night, indie folk group Wylder put their own spin on Weezer’s Blue Album for the show, executing the cover perfectly and adding to the classic masterpiece with violin and keys. Hitting all of the high notes and owning the title of DC’s best Weezer cover band, the band invited The Duskwhales onstage to sing along to The Sweater Song, which was thoroughly harmonious. Following the end of the album, Wylder rounded out the night with some of their originals, including their forthcoming release, Swells. The new single drops 2/15 and it is a fantastically upbeat, anthemic track.

-Jonathan Goodwin

 Shredding their way from Alexandria, VA, Punch The Unicorn released their first single, White Noise, last month and it’s built on the most badass parts of punk and hard rock. Vocalist Lindsay Collette has a very anthemic presence on the track, reminiscent of rock legend Joan Jett, belting out lyrics with an entrancing range. The guitar work blasts in perfectly, replete with ungodly solos. I suspect the fretboards surely caught fire from the friction. Head-bangingly brilliant, PTU is working on a second single and looking for a new drummer, so keep an eye out for developments! -Jonathan Goodwin

Hey, DC, Baltimore, and Richmond readers! The Deli DC Area’s Readers’ Poll has officially concluded and we have our winners. Thanks to everyone for paticipating and voting and congrats to the victors!

First Place: Topping the list with 253 votes, Shumaun rocked their way to the top with a special blend of progressive and alt rock, producing and releasing a fantastic debut album last November. Reminiscent in equal parts of Rush and Breaking Benjamin, this quartet is topping the request chart for Rockfile Radio and are playing a ton of shows, so you literally can’t miss them if you tried!

Second Place: Coming in at number two with 124 votes is Chantilly’s own Dr. Robinson’s Fiasco. This trio’s sound mixes in element of alt and surf on a bed of pop rock, creating an exciting, feel-good musicality. Their latest single came out in May, so give it a listen below and catch one of their frequent performances in the area.

Third Place: Closing out the top three with 108 votes, the District’s Thaylobleu proves that karma and hard work get results. Promoting and complimenting other local acts on social media and playing a handful of shows each month has built the goodwill they need to get their kickass tunes to the masses and dominate our poll. It’s been a while since the funky jam rock group has put anything out, so fingers crossed for 2016. Keep it up, fellas!

Honorale Mentions:

These guys worked especially hard to promote the poll and they deserve some love, too, especially because the race was so close.

4. The Duskwhales -103 votes

5. Big Mama Shakes – 93 votes

6. Goldrush – 88 votes

If you’re as much of a music nerd as I am and want to see the categorical breakdowns, check ’em here:

Alt Rock – Hardcore/Metal – Hip Hop/World – Electronic – Indie Pop – Indie Rock – Post Punk – Roots Music

Huge thanks to everyone who supported this special contest. The Deli Magazine loves each and every one of you and hope you found some delicious music from your local scenes. We hope you’ll follow along for the year and see you next for another great annual poll! -Jonathan Goodwin

 Need some awesome live music to float you to the weekend? Tomorrow night (2/4), swing by Fillmore Silver Spring and catch garage pop band Mainland as they kick things off for Marianas Trench. These guys have a crisp sound, seeming lo-fi but still very refined. The instrumentals are tight and the vocals are transcendental when matched with such honest, long-suffering lyrics. Mainland just put out a new video, "Not As Cool As Me," and every second is precisely constructed and beautiful. If their live show is a tenth as meticulous as their new video, you’ll be in for a huge treat. -Jonathan Goodwin

Drawing on traditions of old-timey doo wop and proto-surf rock, Cinema Hearts bring a uniquely catchy sound out of Fairfax, VA, to the DC music scene. Incorporating contemporary elements of lo-fi indie and dream pop, this innovative trio brings a sound that evokes flashes of the Greatest Generation’s dance halls and of DIY basement stages. The playful lyrical content is amplified by vocalist Caroline Weinroth’s deep, mellifluous tones, which the guitar and drums are crisp and tight. Catch them play Songbyrd Music House, 2/11, after which they’ll be dropping their first LP, Feels Like Forever, on Valentine’s Day, 2/14. -Jonathan Goodwin

Booming out of Richmond, indie roots-rock group Lucy Dacus has a pleasing, infectious sound that’s sure to grab heartstrings and never let them go. The four-piece strikes a precise note between roots and indie, flexing the lo-fi and mellow dance vibe of indie in union with the soulful, melodious feel of roots and folk. Altogether a rich and standout sound, the band’s eponymous vocalist has an impressive sound between Courtney Barnett and She & Him’s Zooey Deschanel and borders on the doleful, almost melancholy, especially when backed up by such an excellent rhythm section. They released their newest single "I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore" in November and open for Julien Baker at DC9, 1/26. -Jonathan Goodwin

Last Friday, 1/15, was a killer night for local music at the Rock & Roll Hotel. A crowd of excited, dancing fans mostly filled the space and the energy was palpable, all thanks to performances from The Duskwhales, Kid Claws, and YUM.

Opening the night was YUM., a three-piece from Northern Virginia that plays a fusion of surf, chillwave, and indie rock. For such a small band, their act packed the punch of a much larger outfit, striking listeners’ eardrums with a melodic and entrancing set. Their playing was smooth and their audience interaction was friendly and engaging. YUM.’s set had a dreamy vibe to it, casting a spell of chill and indie in the room.

Second on the call sheet was Kid Claws. They are a trio from Falls Church, VA, that dabbles in shoegaze, ambient, and noise pop, while firmly settled on dream punk. The band has quite the musicality as they made great use of negative space in multiple songs and their female vocals found their way right to the heart. With liberal cymbal crashing and ephemeral guitar fades, Kid Claws has a subgenre all to themselves and craft a comfortably unsettling atmosphere of distorted, atmospheric, and punky sounds. Their next show is at the Songbyrd Music House, 1/29, with Big Hush and Soda.

The Duskwhales headlined the night and did they ever. With a sound that’s at once familiar and fresh, their music makes you wanna dance and go crazy. Hailing from Manassas, VA, this trio has a uniquely bohemian stage presence that captures the audience’s attention. Their work is heavily influenced by the Beatles, Vampire Weekend, and the Smiths, compiling elements of indie rock, psyhedelic, and retrowave into a charming and energizing musical cocktail. At the show, they paid a touching tribute to cultural legend David Bowie with an inspired cover of "Ziggy Stardust" and a Bowie-inspired original. They recently put out a new single (see below) and you can catch them open for Broke Royals and Wylder (these guys will be playing a Weezer cover set) at DC9, 2/6. -Jonathan Goodwin