Dear Deli Readers,
We have finally reached the end of the road for The Deli’s Best Emerging NYC Artists Poll. As usual, it’s been a lengthy, exhausting, painstaking journey through an abundance of numbers, band names, and some seriously rad tunes. Now, before we get to our list of this year’s Top Performers, we would like to thank our wonderful, knowledgeable jury of local music experts/enthusiasts (which you can view below), dedicated Deli writers and all those who took the time to check out our nominees and cast their votes. You’re the best, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without you.
The Deli NYC Jurors:
Rami (PopGun Presents), Lauren (Northside Media Group), Katie Jones (National Sawdust), Hannah Gold (City Winery), Chris Pickering (Alphaville), Christopher Thomas, Matt (Rockwood Music Hall), Paolo De Gregorio (The Deli), Paul Bacher (The Knit), Christine (Sofar Sounds), Brett Tabisel (LPR NYC), Michelle (Bowery Ballroom), Tim (ASCAP), Eric (The Wild Honey Pie), Alex (Webster Hall), Patrick (Oh My Rockness), Tyler (Brooklyn Bazaar), Greg (The Delancey), Bowery Electric, Grace Gibson (Arlene’s Grocery)
BEST OF NYC POLL – THE FINAL RESULTS
1. BABY SHAKES
This year’s Best of NYC band is Baby Shakes, a power-pop/garage rock four-piece (there’s a ghost member in the band) that knows how to have fun. The group wins this poll’s grand prize: the cover of the spring 2017 issue of The Deli – we are looking forward to that issue! The band’s catalogue is pleasantly varied, with everything from relaxed surf rock tunes to easy rock-n-rollers to borderline punk, heavy-hitters. Though the expert guitar work of Mary Blount and Judy Lindsay is apparent, featuring harmonization, synchronized riffs, and the occasional shredtastic solo, what really makes Baby Shakes so infectious is the raw force and high energy of their songs. It’s something you can pick up on even through earbuds. Be on the lookout for their new album Turn It Up out this spring. – Andrew Strader
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2. BANGLADEAFY!
Bangladeafy! is a band that’s hard to forget after a first listen. They take a mathy, complex, progressive approach to metal without resulting obnoxious. They tow a unique line somewhere between metal and electronica, using arpeggiating synths to compliment complex percussion patterns and distorted guitars. This band is, without a doubt, carving a new path for metal in the tech age. – Andrew Strader
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3. BREANNA BARBARA
Breanna Barbara, self described as "occult blues" reimagines the roots of that genre, crafting a witchy, psychedelic take on it. Her latest record, Mirage Dreams was made in Nashville and there’s no hiding it: slide guitar, rhodes, and fuzzy bass, all come together to create a fresh take on an authentically southern sound, but with an edge. – Andrew Strader
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OVERALL TOP 20
Here’s the top 20 of the Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists! This chart reflects the scores of
1. Baby Shakes
2. Bangladeafy!
3. Breanna Barbara
4. Big Thief
5. Margaret Glaspy
6. Cutworms
7. Ex Reyes
8. Sam Evian
9. Bailen
10. Surf Rock Is Dead
11. Ela Minus
12. Pavo Pavo
13. Latasha Alcindor
14. Baby Acid
15. The Casey Hopkins Trio
16. Navy Gangs
17. Zuli
18. Dakota Jones
19. Yoke Lore
20. Winstons
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BEST OF NYC ELECTRONIC/HIP HOP CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Ela Minus
Readers’ Poll Winner: Latasha Alcindor
BEST OF NYC GARAGE/SLACK ROCK CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Baby Shakes
Readers’ Poll Winner: Stuyedeyed
BEST OF NYC PUNK/METAL CATEGORY
Overall Winner + Readers’ Poll Winner: Bangladeafy
BEST OF NYC INDIE ROCK CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Big Thief
Readers’ Poll Winner: Baby Acid
BEST OF NYC SOUL/BLUES ROCK CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Breanna Barbara
Readers’ Poll Winner: Casey Hopkins
BEST OF NYC INDIE POP CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Ex Reyes
Readers’ Poll Winner: Zuli
BEST OF NYC FOLK/AMERICANA CATEGORY
Overall Winner: Margaret Glaspy
Readers’ Poll Winner: The National Reserve
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See you next year, best of NYC Poll!
The Folks at The Deli