The creative process of an artistic hipster is a fascinating thing to watch. Seriously, Oreaganomics create more than just music and have posted a series of series they are calling “Atlas Drugged”. It’s an album filled with short compositions and uniquely made sounds.

When the album is released it will be a vinyl only release (Jan. 26th, Sophomore Lounge), but I still feel compelled to mention what my verision of this album looks like. A few weeks ago I was going through my mail and opened a package from State Champion. I looked inside and there was the spine of Michael Jordan’s I Can’t Accept Not Trying. Now it was close to Christmas, but why me and why Jordan’s tiny collection of thoughts? I pulled it out and found the guts of the book had been removed and in its place was a promo copy of Stale Champagne the new album from State Champion.

The album itself is almost as exciting as it’s unique packaging. A blend of southern twang, calculated Chicago rock, and a heavy dose of violin magic makes for an exciting and surprisingly warm album. It’s a lo-fi, heartfelt, and endearingly passionate garage-country. This, the bands debut album, proves that something original and unique can be built on a foundation of traditional ad known. Ryan Davis provides a steady swagger that could propel this band to bigger things in the year ahead.

Stale Champagne will be released on Jan. 26th, but you can celebrated the release on the 20th at Empty Bottle with Rabble Rabble, Phantom Family Halo, and Wishgift.

First, thanks to everyone who entered our open contest to be included in our year-end poll. The response was overwhelming and all of The Deli’s writers were involved in narrowing the field down to arrive at three bands that will be included in the year-end poll. Those bands are Panda Riot, Daniel Knox, and Mr. Bear. These bands will be added to the list of bands hand selected by a jury of Chicago media, venue booking agents, and other Chicago music nerds. The year-end best of Chicago poll will be posted on January 6th and will run through the 15th.

Our favorite Chicago track of 2009 came from the mind of one Shawn Rosenblatt and his band Netherfriends. Emergency Umbrella released their debut ep, Calling You Out this year and on that ep we found the track "Nunya (Beeswax)".

The Smith Westerns took blogosphere by storm this year and their infectious basement surf sound has won us over as well. The debut LP was released this year by Chicago’s HoZac Records and "Girl In Love" is taken from that album.

The third song on our countdown comes from an album that found a new home in 2009. Moon Sweet Moon was self-released in 2008, but in the hands of The Hours 2009 seemed to the year of Via Tania. "Wonder Stranger" was the first single from the album, and one of our favorite tracks of 2009. 

The fourth track on our countdown comes from Judson Claiborne and their yet to be released album Time and Temperature. The song appeared in our inbox last April and then were followed up by this gripping video.

Felix Da Housecat had a big 2009 which only adds to the wonderful career he has already enjoyed. There were so many great tracks to pick from on his 2009 release, He Was King, but ut was the video for "We All Wanna Be Prince" that won us over in the end.

The sixth song on our countdown comes from a man that is quickly becoming a Chicago icon. In 2009 Andrew Bird released his five studio album, Noble Beast, and the track we have selected is "Anonanimal”.

The seventh track on our countdown comes from a band that has been mentioned several times on The Deli over the last year. Loyal Divide’s "Vision Vision" is my favorite track from their 2009 EP Labrador.

The eight song on our countdown comes from I Fight Dragons and their debut EP Cool is Just a Number which was released this past Spring. The track is "Money".

Three nominees for our Year End Best of Chicago Poll will be chosen through an Open Contest (the others from a jury of local "scene makers").

Submit your music for The Deli’s Best of Chicago Year End Poll HERE by 12.23.2009. 

To be eligible your band needs to have music available online and have played live at least once in 2009 (and not to be signed to a major). By submitting, you will also add your band to our chart system, which will get you some exposure in the future.

The process we have implemented to choose the Best Emerging Chicago Artist of 2009 is a little complicated – if you are interested in knowing how it works please go here.

The Deli’s Staff