DC’s by way of Wheaton, MD indie rock band SweetBread Jim’s shot to the top of our recent band of the month poll with a plethora of votes from a fanbase that’s been in the works since late 2010. We wanted to find out more about this band with the quirky backstory of selling themselves on Craigslist. So we got a hold of Linsay Deming (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), John Lanou (Bass), Jon Lewis (Drums) to find out more. Here they reveal who exactly SweetBread Jim is, how much a band goes for on Craigslist these days, and their upcoming album! Now onto the interview…

Catch SweetBread Jim’s live April 6th at the Velvet Lounge with Kamikaze and Sun Buffalo.

I’ve been following Lightfoot for some time now, so it’s no surprise that I’ve been anxiously awaiting Jessica Dye and company’s first full-length release, Scarlet Sails.

The album includes three brand new songs and new productions (vast improvements with layer upon layer of additional reverberating goodness) of the three songs from their last release, People Who Throw Kisses Are Hopelessly Lazy.

Lightfoot’s music draws heavily on influences of the 50s, 60s, and 70s without specifically pigeonholing themselves into any one era. There are traces of 60s psychedelic garage rock on the opening track, “Pow Wow”, there’s sensible dancehall doo-wop dripping all over the empowered “City Girls”, and “Caged Bird” echoes a version of New Orleans gospel that manages to be lamenting yet remorseless. Ironically, the song least remniscent of the era is titled “1963” in case you somehow missed all the signs along the way.

Jessica Dye’s voice has always been seductive and powerful, but the production of Scarlet Sails and the thoughtfully layered arrangements really bring her vocal emotion to the forefront. Throaty growls, breathy confessions, and belting choruses all find their place on these tracks amidst bold guitar lines, moody brass, and a full spectrum of percussion.

If I have any criticism of the album, it’s the brevity – I would have loved a few more songs to develop the album’s mood further. However, as it stands, this is a very strong release from a great, young band. Highly recommended! –Jarrett

Silver Spring MD’s post-hardcore rock band When Embers Ignite lit up our recent poll drawing in a staggering amount of votes that got them Band of the Month. With a demo out now and regular gigs around the DMV, these guys are really starting to grow. So we got a hold of Tawni Lee (Lead Vox,) Mike DeProspo (Lead Guitar,) Josh Kennon (Guitar & Vox) Bobby DeRosa (Bass & Vox,) and Mike Nager (Drums & Vox) to find out more about them. Here they tell us about prospects of recording an EP, supporting locals, and equipment they can’t live without. Now onto the interview…

Catch them live next in a Battle of the Bands, March 8th at the Hard Rock in Baltimore.

DC’s indie pop full of soul and big beat makers The Young Rapids are on the rise in a big way, and the love of their impressive sound was shown via the local crowd as they dominated our recent Band of the Month poll. So we got a hold of Daniel Gleason (Keys/Vocals), Joseph Bentley (Guitars/Drums/Vocals), Colin Kelly (Drums/Bass/Vocals), and Nick Martin (Guitars/Vocals) to find out more about these rad guys. Here they tell us about decision making at Hard Times Cafe, touring post SxSW, and their upcoming album. Now onto the interview….

Catch them live next at their Studio House (see FB for details where) on March 6th @8:30 PM with Grass is Green, Imperial China, and Two Inch Astronaut.

The Offset is an Alternative Rock Group that came together in Alexandria VA the Summer of 2009 and consists of vocalist Mike Richards, guitarist Burd Boonyoo, bassist Jonny Franks, and drummer Ken Yang. Since their formation, The Offset has played shows from Richmond VA, up to Baltimore MD. They have a new EP to be released soon, and have fit a bill with a variety of groups, including The Wailers (Bob Marley and the Wailers). Their music has been compared to that of Incubus, The Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, 311, and Dredg. (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Satori Trova will be throwing a bash to kick off their Pledgemusic.com fundraising drive. Fans will be able to pre-order a copy of their forthcoming debut EP, as well choose from a bunch of other cool incentives, such as recording a song with the band. Having recorded and mixed the album themselves in their home studio, the pledges received will go towards mastering and duplication. Twenty percent of all proceeds will go to Gilda’s Club (Cancer Support Community) which leads the way in helping people affected by cancer by connecting them with support networks and treatment centers. Satori Trova was recently nominated for "Best Emerging Artist" and came in second in the magazine’s reader’s poll. They will be taking the stage with two other Deli favorites: Is and of The, and Bravenoise. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

MIXTVPE, the second EP from electronica/post-hyphy artist HVZEL is hands down astonishing. DC has itself a contender in the witch house race with HVZEL leading the way. MIXTVPE brings forth 5 booming tracks that ooze eerie keys amongst a haze of intense bass and warbly voices.

"Executioner" nods to the theme of The Exorcist while adding a flair of morbid hip hop beats and speaker blowing keys. "Transfiguration" is the long lost sister of a Salem B-side, haunting and beautiful. "Medium" is a digital explosion, with keys screeching in full on anarchy mode before breaking down into a smooth shoulder swayer.

Crank this EP all the way up- it’s fucking awesome! -Dawn

DC indie poppers We Were Pirates recently released their second full length album, Change, (available now via their bandcamp site) complete with 10 gems of tracks and the occasional sounds of cello! And the first single, "Better Off Without You" now has it’s own snazzy zombie love story music video. Check it out!

Totals still aren’t final for the overall winners of the DC Deli Best Emerging Artist of 2011, but for now we can reveal the top voted bands via our recent Reader/Fan Poll. It was another year of close calls, and your love for local music has helped these acts get pushed further to the top. So until the final results are revealed later this week, check out some tracks from this round’s top scorers.

-(1st) Sweet Leda (pictured above)

-(2nd) Satori Trova

-(3rd) Brooks Long 

-(4th) Pianos Become the Teeth

-(5th) The Will To Survive

VA’s indie rockers The Will To Survive not only were nominated for best emerging band of the year, earlier this month they were voted by you as our Band of the Month. And with the rad EP The Chattering Teeth Demos, upcoming tours, and an ever growing fanbase, its not a shocker. So we wanted to know more about TWTS, and got a hold of Adam Blackburn (Guitar/ Vocals,) Jared Tampa (Guitar,) Ben Stivers (Bass,) Nic Carchietta (Drums,) and Austin Claywell (Guitar). Here they tell us about basement shows, delay pedals, and their plethora of recordings coming out this year. Now onto the interview…

Check out their awesome track "Drab as a Fool" below, and catch them live next in Richmond VA at the Canal Club on Feb. 8th! –Dawn

We get plenty of great bands submitting their music to us, but a recent submission from 2011 Deli Best of DC nominees The Mean Season has really caught my attention. With their submitted EP Hearts, the trio has made an album of undeniably catchy yet powerful indie rock songs with a folk tinge. The voice of lead singer Cherie on the title track (my favorite!) is haunting and beautiful. “Black Tie Affair”, another favorite, is a nostalgic tune with a country edge which I found hard to get out of my head (especially the chorus “why does it always have to be another love song?”)

Check out their EP below via soundcloud. –Amanda D.

Unreleased EP by The Mean Season DC