Here at the Deli we’ve always been admirers of Gothic Tropic, the indie rock band led by Cecilia Della Peruti. You can now listen to her latest LP, Fast or Feast, over on She Shreds, a new record that takes great influence from late seventies new wave heroes like Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde.

Gothic Tropic will be celebrating the release of Fast of Feast with a record release show at Resident on June 6. Check out the band’s latest single for "Your Soul" below.

Psychedelic rockers PETYR live by the thrill of adrenaline. The San Diego foursome are motivated by equal parts skateboarding and hard rock, activities that fuel their stoner jams with a free-flowing and deeply emotional energy. Inspired by those long drives up the Pacific coast, their upcoming debut full-length features eight smoldering tracks that capture the band’s self-described "sonic heaviness", playing against the dynamics of a live setting through and through. 

PETYR comes out on June 9 via Outer Battery Records.

 

 

 

Former Future Leagues member Scott Ruth is trading in his bass guitar and going solo on his new single "Are You There", a slick roots rocker that marks a notieable departure from last year’s more introspective release, The Weight of it All. Whereas his previous release had a feeling of dry seclusion, his yearning new single holds a vibrant optimism that’s both unvarnished and wistfully nostalgic. 

With folk singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen under his guidance, the drifting "Are You There" suggests a compelling new direction from a beloved local artist who’s written the perfect soundtrack to take out on the open road.

 

Singer-songwriter Nate Harar has been quietly working on a new collection of songs for his first release in over two years. Herar, who goes by the moniker DALTON, hasn’t necessarily changed his technique even if his approach to songwriting has altered since the release of his garage rock-leaning debut effort. In shedding his former skin, Herar is now exploring the more contemplative side of art pop after a time of personal uncertainty. He’s generously revealed two tracks off of his latest upcoming EP ANIMAL, Proem and Myanmar, both of which feature sparse arrangements of lavish ambience under achingly intimite observations. His metamorphosis is now complete.

ANIMAL is out on May 5 via his official bandcamp page.

…

"Proem" 

"Myanmar"

The story of Mt. Joy can be found on their new single "Cardinal". It’s a song about moving forward regardless of an imminent seperation, a message that goes in agreement with how the indie folk duo regrouped after taking other career paths. Having moved forward with the project must’ve did them well. A calm whistle prettifies the song’s stready acoustic strum, until it takes charge in its final stretch with a chorus that’s downright life-affirming.

Mt. Joy are making a few festival stops before going on a tour that takes them all over the East Coast. "Cardinal" is out now on all streaming platforms. 

On ther debut EP, Daydream Backwards, Cousin Liar serve up a striking fusion of atonal electronic elements into their dark-tinged experimental pop. It constantly keeps you guessing as it’s rarely straightforward, like on their latest "Soft Paws," which is ornamented with an alluring display of oozy, aqueous synths set against some Can-resembling drum patterns. The accompanying video also opens another portal into their inquisitive minds.

Daydream Backwards is out now via their official bandcamp page.

 

Electro rock foursome Palm Springsteen write brittle pop songs with a flavoring of hard-edged synths and lustrous guitars. The band will be previewing new songs off of their incoming EP at the Satellite on April 26. More details on the EP coming up shortly, but for now you can check out their most recent single "She’s Got Claws" below. 

 

Some music just hits you with a physicality that cannot be simulated. Such is the case with noise brutalists Model/Actriz, an experimental foursome that puts forth a shierking behemoth of mechanized rhythms and grinding guitars. Frontman Cole Haden is the main driver on their latest EP, the laconically titled No, his assaultive spoken-word musings taking a fully uncompromising stance as the stakes turn more and more menacing. They’re contemporaries to the likes of Death Grips, but also evoke the visionary viciousness of Touch & Go records in their prime, rendering an impenetrable confluence of noise stylings that’s as suffocating as it is magnetic.

You can stream the entirety of No by visiting their official bandcamp page.

A sense of wander immediately sets into one’s mind when listening to "Vacation", the wandering debut single by dream-pop quartet Bolinas. An interlocking web of dissonant guitars takes shape as Chris Thomas’s distant vocals soothe the senses, both moving at a languid pace as it swells with sonic grandeur. It’s an essential listen for those who like their psychedelic rock ushered by an aresenal of pop hooks. 

"Vacation" is the debut single off of their upcoming debut album World Record Record, which is slated for an official release later this year.

A quiet acoustic melody falls gently like a descending sun on Turtle Grenade, the debut folk project of Denise Gorrio. Her delicate finger-picking slowly unfurls with a patience that provides sullen clarity, with a reflective and uniquely penetrating warble that gives life to her intimate lyrical effusions. There’s a simplicity to Gorrio’s isolated meditations, sure, but when those memories burn deep within she elevates those emotions with an ardor that comes across as sincere. It’s a lovingly stripped-down introduction that holds great promise.

Turtle Grenade’s self-titled EP is available to stream via her official bandcamp page.

 

 

 

 

 

Setting the scene through a slow and longing lull of cloudy chords, Goon builds upon this somber tone into a sensory soundscape with their latest track, “Cammie at Night.” The track’s alternate grunge appeal takes center stage, alongside crunchy distortions and lo-fi vocals processed through a misty sense of view. Despite the track’s initial slow start, scuzzy guitar lines explode midway into an effortless sonic wave.

With a heavy dosage of emotions weighing musically, front man Kenny Becker explains that the track “explores the sensitive subject of sexuality repressed by religion and the lingering affect it has on adolescents and their sexual relationships and developing sexual identity.” Becker successfully translates the track’s purpose by holding the alternative rock flare with a skilled balanced. “Cammie at Night” may carry a heavy demeanor at times, but is brought into a fresh light with its lightweight trance, hidden among the driving bass lines.

“Cammie at Night” is featured on Goon’s debut EP, set to be released later this year. – Janette Ayub

 

Dear Deli Readers,

We have finally reached the end of the road for The Deli’s Best Emerging LA 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 LA Jurors:

Janette Ayub (Girl Underground), Brandon (The Burning Ear), David Evanko (Minivan Photography), Grant Owen (We Found New Music), Deborah Farnault, Dan Frazier (Free Bike Valet), Brandon (SUPERGOODMUSIC), Matt Draper, LA Weekly, The Regent Theater, The Hi-Hat, Liz Garo (The Echo), Juan Rodríguez (The Deli LA), Paolo de Gregorio (The Deli NYC).

BEST OF LA POLL – The FINAL RESULTS

1. THE TRACKS

The East L.A. quartet is giving indie rock a new face with their brash guitar dynamics, contributing a big sound that operates on a grander scale. But as they tackle themes that range from race to social class, these garage rockers punctuate their rising anthems with plenty of smarts, too.

 

2. LAEL NEALE

The evocative singer-songwriter writes stripped-down, spacious ballads that gain potency with her fragile croon.

 

3. MIND MONOGRAM

The trippy quartet creates rapturous soundscapes that have a classic songwriting mold even when they’re at their most experimental.

_

OVERALL TOP 20

Here’s the top 20 of the Best of LA Poll for Emerging Artists!

1. The Tracks
2. Lael Neale
3. Mind Monogram
4. Test
5. Death Valley Girls
6. Shannon Lay
7. Feels
8. Doe Paoro
9. Starcrawler
10. DYAN
11. Numb.er
12. Sky Chefs
13. Andrew Kehogan
14. Weyes Blood
15. Gallant
16. Spencer Ludwig
17. EXES
18. Mating Ritual
19. Mind Meld
20. Ramonda Hammer

__

 

BEST OF LA ELECTRONIC CATEGORY

Overall Winner: Doe Paoro

Readers’ Poll Winner: Satchmode

 

BEST OF LA GARAGE/PSYCH/ POST PUNK CATEGORY

Overall Winner: Test

Readers’ Poll Winner: Melted Bodies

 

BEST OF LA INDIE ROCK CATEGORY

Overall Winner: The Tracks + Readers’ Poll Winner: The Tracks

  

BEST OF LA SOUL/HIP HOP CATEGORY

Overall Winner: Weyes Blood

Readers’ Poll Winner: Stalgia

  

BEST OF LA INDIE POP CATEGORY

Overall Winner + Readers’ Poll Winner: Mind Monogram

  

BEST OF LA FOLK/AMERICANA CATEGORY

Overall Winner: Lael Neale

Readers’ Poll Winner: Shannon Lay

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See you next year, best of LA Poll!

The Folks at The Deli