The latest video session from Giant System features the band Stranger Waves.

I normally don’t post live video’s but this video of Scattered Trees live at Schubas was well put together and the sound quality is pretty good.

The band will be performing again at Schubas on March 3rd before heading down to SXSW.

Plustapes recently announced that their next release will be the new solo album from Brian Griffith of Very Truly Yours and L’éternèbre. When Griffith is on his own he calls himself Grey Ghost. The six track cassettee, Songs To Wake Up To, is a beautiful collection of piano, synth, and other enchanting and peaceful sounds. You hear samples of each of the tracks over at Plustapes. Below is the video for the track "Hot Mess"

Sad Brad Smith has released a video created by the talented Bernie McGovern for his track "Old Days are Here Again". Sad Brad Smith will be performing a free show at The Whistler on on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14th) at 9pm. 

Starting in February, The Whistler (2421 N. Milwaukee) will be giving away 50 Free Records! According the bar, it is their mission to introduce people to the music that they love, so every Wednesday they will be giving away 50 free records to the first 50 patrons who visit The Whistler. Each week in February, it will be a different release from the Whistler Records catalog. In the coming months they will also be featuring exclusive releases from some of their favorite local record labels and bands.

The Giving Tree Band will be performing at Mayne Stage tomorrow with Hoots & Hellmouth. The will be performing a new track, "Silent Man" from their next record. The video above is from their acoustic performance for Our Vinyl.

Chicagoans and Chicagoers!

After a seizure inducing 2 months of polling and voting and churning numbers, we can finally say: "HABEMUS POLL WINNER!"

Congrats to mellow psych folker Young Man, who sealed the win thanks to 2 top jurors votes (3 points each), and to Dastardly and White Mistery, who placed second and third thanks to their fans vote. Here’s a picture of the Young Man also known as Colin Caulfield.

Thanks to all the jurors and the bands and the fans who helped us put together this list of artists. Please don’t take it too seriously (but not too lightly either!), we see it as a fun, playful way to give exposure to deserving emerging local artists.

Artist J OS F TOTAL   1 Young Man 6   0.004 6.004 2 Dastardly 4   2 6 3 White Mystery 4   0.012 4.012 4 King Sparrow 4   0.005 4.005 5 Canasta   0.5 3 3.5 6 Suns 3   0.214 3.214 7 The Loneliest Monk 3   0.064 3.064 8 Disappears 3   0.017 3.017 9 Black Math 3   0.016 3.016 10 SHAPERS 3   0.009 3.009 11 Jon Drake and the Shakes 2   0.5 2.5 12 Gold Motel 2   0.069 2.069 13 Hey Champ! 2   0.034 2.034 14 Smith Westerns 2   0.018 2.018 15 John Bellows 2   0.005 2.005 16 Judson Claiborne 2   0.004 2.004 17 Skybox 2   0.002 2.002 18 Secret Colours   1 1 2   Soft Speaker   0.5 1.5 2 20 Está Vivo   1 0.102 1.102 21 Very Truly Yours   1 0.054 1.054 22 Sad Brad Smith   0.75 0.299 1.049 23 Maps and Atlases 1   0.039 1.039 24 Stephen Paul Smoker 1   0.031 1.031 25 Archie Powell & the Exports 1   0.02 1.02 26 Tiny Magnets 1   0.014 1.014  27 In Tall Buildings 1   0.01 1.01   Joe Pug 1   0.01 1.01   Yawn 1   0.01 1.01 30 Julie Meckler   0.75 0.01 0.76 31 Scattered Trees   0.75 0.006 0.756 32 Verona Red   0.5 0.118 0.618 33 Gemini Club   0.5 0.093 0.593   Chaperone   0.5 0.038 0.538 35 Unicycle Loves You   0.5 0.028 0.528 36 Nathan Xander & Witchouse   0.5 0.014 0.514   The Giving Tree Band   0.5 0.008 0.508 Legend: J = Jury – OS = Open Submissions – W = Deli Writers – F = Fans

The Deli’s Staff

Grape Juice Records recently announced the signing of Jon Drake & The Shakes. The band recently released a free ep called Side A, and will no begin to record their debut album. The band has been together for two years, and have built a solid fan base.

The signing will be celebrated on February 11 at part one of the Grape Juice Records 2011 Showcase Series at Subterranean in Chicago. The night will feature Jon Drake & The Shakes, Chaperone, Rachele Eve and Julie Meckler.

Helicopters have released a wonderful collection of 18 "bits, bites, demos and b-sides (2005-2010)" called Not Diamonds But Diamonds. The collection is available for free through bandcamp.

Briar Rabbit (aka Phillip-Michael Scales) is new to Chicago, but he has already fallen in love our city. He brings with him a powerful voice and strong musical sense and background. He was born in Detroit and has always been fascinated by and practicing music. He was formally trained in Boston, and now has found his way back to the Midwest to call Chicago home.

His debut album, Briar Rabbit & The Company You Keep, was recorded both in Boston and here at CarterCo Studios. The seven-song album can be purchased here where you can also here a few of the tracks.

Briar Rabbit will be performing a free show at The Whistler on Sunday Jan. 30th at 9:45.

Village has released their new album Local Moves, and you can download it for free through soundcloud. The band combines elements of surf pop, lo-fi, and even a touch of rockabilly (see "Eye Sore"). The album raw, but energtic and great winter’s day listen.

Village will be performing at Empty Bottle on Feb. 10th with Maximum Wage.

The latest video session from Giant System features the sweet and soulful sounds of Boutros.