As we reported last month, Boston hardcore math rockers I Kill Giants embarked on their final tour in December. For its last show, the band will return to the Democracy Center in Cambridge this Friday, and they won’t be alone. The band will celebrate with Old Gray, the Hotel Year, Everything Ever and Fall Risk. Hailing from New Hampshire, Old Gray is a screamo/punk band that’s gained a national (and international) following since forming in 2011. Worcester-based The Hotel Year has a similarly rough-around-the-edges sound and a new album, "Home, Like Noplace Is There," coming out in February. Everything Ever, from Staten Island, plays an energetic blend of indie rock and pop punk, and Boston’s own Fall Risk describes its genre as "heartfelt frustrated punk." Witness the end of an era and a great night of music beginning January 24 at 7 p.m. – Jake Reed
Animals and Shapes spread well wishes on latest album
Are you missing As Tall As Lions since the band parted ways in 2010? Then take a listen to Salisbury, Mass.’s Animals and Shapes. With spacey guitars and radio-ready vocal hooks, the band certainly takes a few cues from the former Long Island indie rockers. It’s clear that the sound has connected with fans: Animals and Shapes is now in the running for The Deli New England’s Best Emerging Artist of 2013. For first-time listeners, we suggest the jazzy “Ghosts in the House” or “Numbers,” which comes complete with a synth-aided bridge colossal enough to fill an arena. – Jake Reed
Aviator lands in a city near you on new tour
Beginning January 23 in Providence, Aviator will pilot a month-long tour which will include several stops in New England. The Boston-based hardcore band recently released its “Covers” EP, adding a rougher edge to songs by bands like As Tall As Lions and LCD Soundsystem. If you want a taste of the band’s own songwriting, try out the “January 2013” EP, which includes six live recordings that showcase the band’s precision and vocalist TJ Copello’s captivating mix of speak-singing and screaming. You can check out the full list of tour dates below. – Jake Reed
1/23 @ Dusk (Providence, RI)
1/24 @ The Wood Shop (Copiague, NY)
1/26 @ Great Scott (Boston, MA)
1/28 @ The Bubble Bowl (New Britain, CT)
1/29 @ DAV Hall #66 (Hammonton, NJ)
1/30 @ Hostage House (Hyattsville, MD)
1/31 @ Goat House (Richmond, VA)
2/1 @ The Milestone Club (Charlotte, NC)
2/2 @ Foxfield Bar & Grille (Columbia, SC)
2/4 @ Shanghai Nobby’s (St. Augustine, FL)
2/5 @ Evolution Records (Lakeland, FL)
2/6 @ The Talent Farm (Pembroke Pines, FL)
2/7 @ Goat House (Odessa, FL)
2/10 @ Rampage Extreme Park (Jackson, MS)
2/14 @ Parish Underground (Austin, TX)
2/15 @ Gatsby’s Mansion (Denton, TX)
2/16 @ Creative Room (Tulsa, OK)
2/17 @ OBEC (Springfield, MO)
2/18 @ Livery Company (St. Louis, MO)
2/19 @ Error Records (Champaign, IL)
2/20 @ Owl Farm (Nashville, TN)
2/21 @ The Bazaar (Lexington, KY)
2/22 @ Elimination Chamber (Huntington, WV)
2/23 @ 222 Ormsby (Pittsburgh, PA)
2/24 @ Golden Tea House (Philadelphia, PA)
Vote for the 2013 Deli New England Emerging Artist of the Year!
Now that you’ve seen the results of our 2013 Open Submissions and learned a bit more about the artists that came in first place, second place and third place in that portion of the poll (and of course, the runner-ups) the Readers’ Poll is now open. Fans and Deli New England readers can click the link below to cast their vote for the 2013 Deli New England Emerging Artist of the Year.
Sentry unleashes split release with Thera Roya
On the two new tracks from its split release with Thera Roya, Sentry explores the boundaries of psychedelic rock. The band’s three members share vocal duties on the new songs, recorded at Brickhouse Studios in Brooklyn, as well. “Diamond White” begins with a dissonant riff that cuts like a knife and drums fit for a rap album before moving into a messy (in the best way) chorus. The track is capped off by a high-energy guitar solo that falls far into the red – again, to the best possible effect. “Torches” is another loud number best heard when blasted through car speakers and, if you can bear the cold, the windows rolled down. The full release includes two songs by New Yorkers Thera Roya as well, including a cover of “Money” by Pink Floyd. Take a listen on Bandcamp now. – Jake Reed
Answerman experiments with garage, punk and shoegaze on “The Way You Want” EP
Released earlier this month, Answerman’s The Way You Want EP is a fun, short dive into the worlds of shoegaze and garage rock. The EP’s six songs are full of simple yet catchy and gripping riffs and chord progressions, with vocalist Sam Pitino’s talk-singing often filtered or muffled to become part of the instrumental rather than something shoved into the foreground. On this EP, it works: just take a listen to “Pie Eater Starfish.” The Way You Want has its surprises as well, such as the grinding guitars that drop on slowed-down track “Bad Arm” and the dinky drum machine tick on the final bridge of “Fall.” – Jake Reed
iiii ends 2013 on a high note
iiii (pronounced “four”) capped off 2013 with two releases: its self-titled debut album in November and the EP Run iiii Cover in December. The group’s brand of R&B is breezy, jazzy and fun, carried by Laila Smith’s smooth, skillful voice. “Sweet Talk,” from its December EP, will have you dancing without even realizing it – jumpy piano and jittery drums give the song an effortless, inescapable groove. If you’re in the mood for something slower, check out the ballad “A Case of You,” wherein Smith sings, “I could drink a case of you, darling, and I’d still be on my feet.” On the other hand, if you like the classics, download closing track “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” which the band makes its own with the help of time signature changes and an extra dose of upright bass. – Jake Reed
New England’s Open Submission Results for The Deli Magazine’s Year End Poll, 2013
The first phase of the Deli New England’s Year End Poll has come to an end – and we have the results. The Open Submissions leaders are a testament to the diversity of talents in the New England area, ranging from genres like Surf Rock to Ambient and Prog Metal.
Of course, the Deli New England editor wasn’t eligible to vote for the bands in the New England scene. Instead, the submissions were voted on by three other editors, including Deli Editor-In-Chief Paolo De Gregorio.
Acts advancing to our Readers/Fans Poll with a ranking above 7.5:
1. Pale Cowboy (Alt Folk) – 9
2. Magic Island (Indie Rock) – 8.33
Honorable Mentions (ranked above 7.0):
Blackbutton (Alt Rock) – 7.33
Total submissions from the New England scene: 85
WHAT’S NEXT: Now that the first stage of the poll has come to a close, the next step is to unveil the artists nominated by our local jurors: venue promoters, bloggers, etc. (In other words, the people who know the scene best.) Then, our readers and writers will get a chance to vote on the poll.
A big thanks again to all of the bands who submitted their music. We hope to see you all continue to write the music that makes New England such a rich and diverse local scene.
The Deli Staff
Miss Geo, Atlantic Thrills and Mals Totem qualify for next stage of our Year-End Poll
Now that we’ve taken a closer look at the top three bands in our Open Submissions, here are the runner-ups. In fourth place is Miss Geo, an indie pop duo from Newport, Rhode Island. The pair’s song “Waves” is a groovy, fun ditty with synths lifted straight out of the 80s, and they’re preparing a new album to be released this spring.
Atlantic Thrills was the fifth place finalist. To drum up noise for their upcoming album, set for release on February 4, the band recently released the video for its single “Day at the Beach.” The song is a catchy surf rock tune and its video will have you longing for summer.
Last but not least is Mals Totem, in sixth place. The band’s self-titled EP, released in September, has its share of quiet moments, but the band is best when it’s at its loudest. For the best example, just take a listen to the driving chorus in “Gargantuan.” – Jake Reed
Pale Cowboy takes first place in New England Open Submissions
Congratulations to Pale Cowboy for placing first in the Open Submissions for our Year-End Poll. Based out of Northampton, Mass., the five-piece band finds the happy medium between American and indie rock. 2013’s Shelter EP has all you could ask for: unpredictable chord progressions, harmonized vocals, glimmering synths that never try to steal the show, and some truly unique production – and daring tempo changes – shown off on the set’s title track. It’s no surprise that the band was named the Deli New England Artist of the Month back in December. Take a listen to Shelter on Bandcamp now. – Jake Reed
Magic Island take second place in New England Open Submissions
After being featured on our site in November, Magic Island has placed second in the Open Submissions for our Year-End Poll. This year, the band made noise with its second EP, “Falling Through Space.” Opening track ”Himalayas” is layered with texture, from harmonized vocals, icy keys and gruff guitars, while “Hang High” features groovy riffs and a sneaky-catchy chorus which finds vocalist Drew Valera singing, “I just wanna get you on your own, I don’t wanna leave you all alone.” The band is hard at work on new material, so it’s pretty certain they’ll keep up the momentum in 2014, but "Falling Through Space" is available on Bandcamp and iTunes now. – Jake Reed
Big Big Buildings places third in New England Open Submissions
Scoring an 8.17 in the Open Submissions portion of our year-end poll, Big Big Buildings has placed third amongst all submissions in the first round – and will be moving ahead to the Readers/Fans Poll. In June, Big Big Buildings (real name Adam McElreath) released Full Color Pharmacy, his third full-length album, and its name is a testament to the spectrum of sounds across its twelve songs. On album opener “Just Over Young,” he touches on the sonic weirdness of Animal Collective and later the sparkling guitars of post-rock giants Explosions in the Sky. “There Is A Wall” is straight-up indie rock, while “Polyhimalayan” is pure ambient, with bubbles providing texture beneath a slow, resonating keyboard melody. Check out the album on Bandcamp to hear what other colors the album is stocked with – Jake Reed