The unexpected return of singer/songwriter Linda Perhacs can be genuinely described as a small miracle. The last we heard about the influencial singer/songwriter was in 1970, when she was considered an integral part of the West Coast psychedelic scene. That sole debut she recorded, Parallelograms, has become a valuable artifact for freak folk artists like Sufjan Stevens and Devendra Banhart, both of whom knew that Perhacs hadn’t sung her last farewell. "River of God" doesn’t stray too much from what made Perhacs such an enigmatic figure – the contemplative track ponders the existence of a higher power with a purity that’s far removed from the skepticism about faith that has increasingly grown in the last decade. That thought is inherently embedded in its delicate frame, one that becomes clearer as its gentle acoustic flourishes and haunting harmonies (backup vocals provided by Julia Holter) provide a funereal yet optimistic atmosphere. But the beauty of "God" matches with a simple, more potent message she shared recently on her facebook page: "Music can sooth the savage beast in everyone." No better words could describe this joyful emergence. – Juan Rodríguez

There is an undeniable buzz surrounding psych rockers Fever The Ghost. Bursting onto the scene in 2013, their momentum has only increased in the new year. Dazzling audiences with their impressive and engaging live shows has created an intense anticipation for their forthcoming EP, ‘Crab in Honey’, set for release January 21 on Complicated Game. The quartet mixes a healthy dose of absurdism with deliciously satisfying hooks wrapped inside an acid trip. They seem to have developed the perfect balance of self-awareness and a seriousness for their craft. Stream first single, "Rounder," below and catch them live January 16 at The Bootleg with Nightmare And The Cat, Carina Round and The Peach Kings.

Singer/songwriter Bart Davenport has always been a man of many faces. Having dabbled with different kinds of projects throughout the years, the Bay Area crooner finally decided to settle in LA under the command of his bass player Jessica Espeleta, and discovered a newfound reverence for West coast pop with a tinge of soulful exuberance. "Wearing the Changes", from his upcoming full-length Physical World, is a sleek, lurid jam with a ’60s pop fixation that highlights the uptempo feel of northern soul (jangle arrangements brought to you by Dream Boys member Wayne Faler), its lively chords beating at an unhurried, steady pace. This is tuneful pop of the highest order, handled with a sophistication and ease that, at least for three minutes, sets back the clock into the golden days of AM pop radio. Physical World is out on March 4 via Burger Records/Lovemonk. – Juan Rodríguez

Crooks on Tape are a devilishly clever trio that delivers a madcap fusion of far out synth experiments with improvisational rhythmic grooves. Listening to their latest in sequence, Fingerprint, is at first a maddening experience, since there’s so much creativity lurking within their psych-pop framework. But that’s not to say that the direction this album takes is unexpected, especially once you learn that the members behind the project are associated with equally unconventional acts like Enon, Vertical Scratchers, and acclaimed nineties cult act Brainiac. The band will be confounding their audience with their fascinating new record at Bootleg Bar next Friday, January 17th. – Juan Rodríguez

2013 was a year crowded with local talent. We are excited to begin announcing the results of our massive year end poll. Thanks to everyone who helped spread the word and give bands a chance to have their music heard by critics all over the country. After tallying the votes for the Open Submissions stage of our Los Angeles Year End Poll, it’s time to release the results.

Please note that no editor was allowed to vote for bands in their own scene. The editors that voted on the LA scene were: Q.D. Tran (Deli Philadelphia), Brescia (Deli NYC Contributor) and Paolo De Gregorio (Deli NYC, Editor-In-Chief). In the coming weeks we will release the list of nominees chosen by our local "scene expert" jurors and it will be up to you to pick your favorite Emerging LA Artist of 2013.

Acts advancing to our Readers/Fans Poll with a ranking above 6.5:

1. So Many Wizards (Dream Pop) – 7.8

2. The Futures League (Garage Rock) – 7.6

3. May McDonough & Company (Psych/Pop) – 7.3

4. Mina Knock (Hip Hop) – 7.2

5. FMLYBND (Electro Pop) – 7

6. Playthings (Electronic) – 6.6

Honorable Mentions (ranked above 6.25):

Babe Parade (Indie Pop) – 6.5

Micah Brown (Folk) – 6.5

Octopus Mask (Surf Rock) – 6.5

The Blank Tapes (Garage Rock) – 6.5
Mind The Gap (Electronic Rock) – 6.5
steffaloo (Dream Pop) – 6.5
Strangeheart (Electro Pop) – 6.5
Heaps N Heaps (Indie Folk Pop) – 6.3
Heathers (Alt Pop) – 6.3

Total submissions from the LA Scene: 79

WHAT’S NEXT: These results end the first phase of the poll. In the next few days we’ll unveil the artists nominated by our local jurors made up of venue promoters and other scene experts, and we’ll let our readers and writers influence the poll with their vote.

Thanks to all the acts who submitted to us. Our open submissions pool was truly a celebration of the diversity and richness of LA’s talent. Keep creating, keep supporting and stay tuned for your chance to vote!

The Deli Staff

For the second year in a row, our national team of editors agree that So Many Wizards is deserving of your attention and accolades. 2013 was a busy year for the quartet, playing shows all over the region, opening for Fool’s Gold, and since we last spoke, they even underwent lineup changes. Proving this is no hindrance to their unquestionable talent and ability to produce inventive pop creations, So Many Wizards released the Night Chills/Daydream 7" in November on lollipop records. The infusion of brit pop energy with their tried and true reverb-drenched guitar-driven dreaminess shows signs of unstoppable maturity. There’s a slacker’s ennui that drives the usually poetic introspection giving their sound a fresh new vibe. Like a quiet storm, they keep building – year after year, solid release after solid release. So Many Wizards play the Dirty Laundry TV Cassette Release Show on January 10 at The Satellite.

2013 was a banner year for the garage rock outfit The Futures League, seeing them headline KCRW’s School Night, touring Europe, and rounding out the year with a Residency at The Constellation Room. Promises of an album loom into the new year, but in the meantime, they’ve shared three singles on ‘The 10 Inch’ released in October. An old school blues rock quality punches you in the face leading into purely psych rock jam moments on "Give My Loving A Try," the true standout in this trio. These tunes are reminiscent of early Black Keys, with that fat analog warmth, lush with down and dirty guitar riffs, subtle harmonies, and an impossible catchiness. Oh, and don’t miss out on the guitar call and response breakdown in "Too Many Lies," while you’re streaming from their bandcamp.

Three may be a crowd, or it may be good company, but it’s also the number of singles released by May McDonough & Company throughout 2013 in anticipation of their upcoming full length ‘bullyboywithaglasseye.’ Theirs is an enticing mix of pure psychedelia and 60s girl group pop. The group has an intensely experimental side, but manage to keep things tight and succinct whilst exploring all their groovy ideas. "Mannequin" displays the ever-present contrast between dark and light that broods underneath the sparkling pop elements in their songs, creating dense textures. There’s a playfulness that hints at rebellious danger, that keeps what could become repetitiously dour, light and fun. With each new single, there are new soundscapes and something new for the ears in every change-up.

Recent artist of the month nominees Some Gifts are a trio that writes open-hearted rock anthems bolstered with punchy riffs and subtle melodic awareness, laid bare with the passionate vocal delivery of singer Vic Lazar. The songs on their recently released EP "All These Ghosts" are small gifts that pack a walloping punch, ripping rallying cries that certainly bring back the fierce pop hooks of eighies college rock. They’re currently working the local pub circuit promoting the EP, making their next stop an especially special one with a record release party at Old Towne Pub in Pasadena on Saturday, January 24. Those who like their energetic brand of charging, no-frills indie rock shouldn’t miss this one. – Juan Rodríguez

The debut EP by songwriting duo Fleurs, composed of Simon French and Jack Díaz, starts with a flurry of lilting synth tones over a hollow beat that reverberates through the ears, pulsating with a ryhtmical torrent of cascading soundscapes that surround you in its radiant warmth. But there’s also an underlying sense of urgency beanth the smimmering gloss – these are not songs to get lost to, more so an effesvescent brand of dream pop that comes alive with its chiming, textural guitars built from a groove-oriented backbone. Its hypnotic focal point brings to mind a more modernized version of Chapterhouse sans the tendency to cloak the instrumentation in a haze of obscurity. Their self-titled EP sounds remarkably fresh and elegant, and the cooing yet penetrating vocals of French do mesh appropriately with the steady ripple of gleaming noise. You can listen to the EP in its entirely by accesing the soundcloud link below – Juan Rodríguez

Having just released ‘Face The Sun’ on Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records this November, The Entrance Band will be counting down to 2014 with fans at The Satellite tonight. It will be a night filled with mystical, psychedelic jams. Sharing the stage for this epic celebration will be fellow psych rockers Jeffertitti’s Nile, and Sand Pussy. The entire new album is available to stream on Bandcamp. "Spider" is a standout, with it’s spooky air of wise warnings, along with Blakeslee’s sultry, raw vocals and groovy guitar riffs on full display. More details and links to tickets here.- Jacqueline Caruso