There’s an internal struggle going on within Letter Vs. Numbers. Much like The Sound of Animals Fighting, the unnamed band members pass around and Frankenstein their musical thoughts and ideas together. The result: eight tracks that are the heart and soul of their album Bone Tired.

Drenched in indie rock, LVN has no problem incorporating some synth and drum machines with a healthy does of reverb; each song on Bone Tired feels far more epic then its individual parts. While sharing some musical similarities with acts like She Wants Revenge, the collection is more optimistic.

Will this mystery ensemble ever reveal who they are?

-Angelo Lorenzo

Deli readers,

The time is upon us. If you haven’t yet noticed, our Best of Los Angeles Emerging Artists 2010 Poll is open and ready for voting on the right-hand side or you can visit the voting link directly here.

After taking votes from our lovely panel of jurors (see below) as well as choices from our open submission period, we’ve crafter a list that includes some of the most exciting and hard working emerging acts of 2010.

The band/artist from this list that wins on the poll’s composite chart (i.e. jurors + Deli writers + fans’ votes) will receive an awesome set of prizes provided by the sponsors of The Deli. Right now all the artists in the list have accumulated some points from the votes cast by jurors and writers, now it’s the fans and readers’ turn!

Jurors Include:
Tavi Shabestari (BMI), Josh Feingold (SESAC), Chelsea Schwartz (Viper Room), Neil Schield (Origami Vinyl), Scott McDonald (Aquarium Drunkard), Scott Sterling (Bootleg Theater), Josh Briggs (ASCAP), The Losanjealous crew, Bryan Sheffield (formerly Doghouse Records).

If you’re sick and tired of walking down the desolate streets of Hollywood, the scent of food trucks in Echo Park, or staring out into the Pacific Ocean dreaming of escape, then it’s time to venture out to Pioneertown. We are teaming up with L.A. Record to present L.A. Folk Fest for a weekend of fun, bonfires, BBQ, and some good music! The event will take place at Pappy and Harriets, a mom and pop venue out in the desert with pool tables, cheap drinks, great food, and old-fashioned folk rock decor. The first time I ever went to Pappy’s was to see Conor Oberst and The Felice Brothers play, and was blown away at how amazing the venue was, both sound wise and the overall fun vibe of the place. 

Folk, country, Western Swing….we’ve got it all with the lineup of He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister, Amanda Jo Williams, and Tommy Santee Klaws. The show is $10 and it starts at 8pm on Saturday, February 26th. I suggest reserving tickets ahead of time, as well as making a weekend out of it and booking a room at the hotel next to the venue(perhaps antique store shopping the next day?). E-mail lafolkfest@gmail.com to get on the "Weekend At Pappy’s" RSVP list.

–Jenna Putnam

If you could splice the musical genes of Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, and Phantom Planet into one band, you’d end up with Chasing Kings. Their debut offering, The Current State of Our Future is not some horrible genetic musical mutant, but a finely prepared super soldier. The album keeps an upbeat tempo, never getting too slow or too tense for very long as Matthew Schwartz smooth voice flows over band mates Drew Beck, Mike Goldman, and Nick Sandlers pop melodies. "An Empty Handshake" slows things down for a bit while songs like "Empathy" and "The Current State Of Our Future" keep things danceable. The band followed up with the release of the singles for "Just Our Luck​" and "Maybe It’s The Distance" in December of 2010. All barely 20 years old, their music shows that Chasing Kings has the potential to take over the world.

-Angelo Lorenzo

The fuzzy guitars and soft, pillowy vocals of Stone Darling paint the picture of a feather drifting in the warm Southern California sun. Their timeless sound is a bit Fleetwood Mac with a modern edge. The band has written all of the songs for their upcoming EP, but since they are doing it all on their own, they are running a pledge via Kickstarter for the money needed to finish it up. The lovely ladies will be playing a show at the infamous Bardot next Wednesday the 26th. If you haven’t been, it’s next to Avalon on the right hand side…just look for Jeff, the Jack Sparrow-esque doorman.

For now, you can score a free download of their dreamy, romantic song "All I Wanna Do"…and if you like what you hear, donate to the cause on Kickstarter.

–Jenna Putnam

Stone Darling – When It’s Over from George Langworthy on Vimeo.

About two years ago, Peter Walker of Eulogies experienced a tragedy that most of us will hopefully never have to endure…his best friend’s 4 year old son was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. "Tear The Fences Down" is an album all about the pain, suffering, and eventually acceptance of a special young boy being taken away too soon, but living on forever through the hearts of his loved ones. "After what happened in July of 2009 my emotions–my heart–my life–were all blown to smithereens. It took months to untangle my insides to the point that I could sit down with a pencil and a guitar and confront what I had been through, but when I did I began to see the light again after more than a year of deep-rooted torment. These songs became my lifeline. this is a diary of the trauma of war, and ultimately a way out of those horrific depths", said Walker.

Your new eponymous EP was just released, how long was it in the making?
I suppose we started work on this EP (our first) at the band’s inception. We formed in October of 2009. We were fresh out of other musical projects that all sorta dissolved simultaneously. So when we decided to start playing together, we were all really eager to hit the ground running. Our first live show was played about a month after our first rehearsal.

Who are your major influences?
Everything from The Kinks, The Who and Love to Elliott Smith and Grandaddy. Also, I’d say some of our biggest direct influences would be the bands that we’ve been playing with and hanging around for the last few years (One Trick Pony, Death To Anders, Les Blanks, Radars to the Sky, The Happy Hollows, to name a few).

You can read the whole article here

-Kevin Bennett

Grouplove has released the official video for the track “Colours”, off their self-titled debut EP coming out at the end of January on Canvasback Music. The video resembles a short film that makes a strong connection with the song itself (a bond that most videos fail to make). Its story line is fun and youthful, as you are taken on a cowboy and Indian adventure. It sparks a childlike fuse that makes you want to paint your face and place feathers in your hair. Grouplove is creative and energetic and even more so live! They are set to play a free show at the Bootleg Theatre tonight and the final show of their January residency on the 24th, with a $20 cover and a special guest headliner. 

–Margarita Castellanos

Pithy Sweet, a trio from Fullerton, puts a modern edge on psychedelic rock. Influenced by bands like The Velvet Underground, The Who, and The Black Keys, their sound is reminiscent of The Black Angels with a more upbeat twist. Ben Kent(vox/guitar), Evan Novorot(bass), and Robert Burrison(drums) have been playing music together since they were 16.

The band just released their EP "Hole In My Pocket" on the 13th. Consisting of 4 tracks, it begins with the pulsating and progressive tune "Bring It On", and follows with the more alternative "Fight To This Song", electrifying and angst-ridden. The third track, "Freeze", is nostalgic with funky, playful guitar riffs. "Stella" resonates airy reverbs and a hypnotic 60’s feel. 

Get a free download of "Fight to This Song" here, and buy the album here. Pithy Sweet will be playing a show at La Cave in Costa Mesa on the 8th of February…so mark your calenders now!

–Jenna Putnam.

The first annual Los Angeles Music Video Festival will take place Sunday, January 23rd at the cinematic and beautiful Downtown Independent Theater.

The festival director Sami Kriegstein explains, "The Los Angeles Music Video Festival will exist with one purpose: to celebrate the art of the music video. While many film festivals have music video categories, they tend to be presented as secondary, somehow less important or deserving of our consideration than other genres. There are precious few festivals in the world that focus exclusively on music videos, the people who make them and the people who love them. LAMVF will not only provide that opportunity, but will further bring together the independent music and independent film communities of Los Angeles in a celebration of local musical talent and creativity like never before." Tickets for the festival are a reasonable $40 and can be purchased online here, on the festival’s website.

The fun and debaucheries will take place during the afterparty at Echoplex, beginning at 8pm. Setting the stage on fire will be two of our favorite local acts, Voxhaul Broadcast and Black Apples(who currently have our album of the month banner with their self-titled debut). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

This is going to be a fun event with local artists, musicians, and music lovers like yourself…so get your tickets now and be a part of music history in the making!

–Jenna Putnam 

 After weeks of combing through open submissions, the results for phase 1 are finally in. Making it to the top of the list is a few familiar bands that have already made their mark in the Deli books. Coming in at number one we have none other than the youthful duo, Pepper Rabbit. Their sound is creative, bringing your childhood imagination out of the dusty corners of your mind. Coming right behind is our recent print issue cover band He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister. With their unique presence and timeless psychedelic folk-rock, it’s no surprise they climbed the polls. Also qualified to continue to the next phase is the refreshing, original, and distinctive sound of Incan Abraham. Check out the poll results if you haven’t already to find out who else made it to the next phase. 

If your favorite band missed open submissions, they could have made it onto our SonicBids.com results. Qualifying for the next phase we have Dylan Trees at no.1 with their California dreamin’ folk-pop. Joining the top is also singer/songwriter Patrick Joseph and the soulful sounds of blues/jazz sensation Tara Priya. 

–Margarita Castellanos

As public voting for our 2010 emerging artist poll approaches, I think now is an apt time to talk about someone who the Deli hasn’t covered quite yet, as our recently announced list of bands definitely has some familiar faces.

Patrick Joseph is an interesting fellow; in his mid 20’s he’s an accomplished singer/songwriter whose declined record deals in the pursuit of doing things on his own terms. His debut full length, Antiques, was released in November to eager ears. The album includes "Arsonist Blues", a song that landed him an offer from Original Signal records and has him sounding like the  grittier, spirtual successor to Jeff Buckly’s throne. Named as one of his inflences, the track "Don’t Believe It" takes a cue from Radiohead’s Karma Police piano melody, but just enough to make you proud that you realize the reference. The entire album is streaming via Patrick’s Myspace if you feel so inclined.

Patrick’s next show is Januart 30th at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach for their songwriter round.

-Angelo Lorenzo