Allyson Baker, the woman behind Dirty Ghosts, grew up a guitar player, but it turns out her biggest musical feat to date is all about her vocals and rhythm section.

While trying to grow Dirty Ghosts from a duo with no singer into a full group, attempts to unearth a vocalist were fruitless, so Ms. Baker stepped up to singing for the first time. The product–a debut album with passionately heated vocals in a chic tone. When combined with basic beats and sorted touches of electro, Dirty Ghosts make it feel like Mates of State have decided to relocate back to the Bay.

Enlisting the help of co-producer Aesop Rock, the group created a foundation of tribal-like drum bangs, static guitar and swinging funk bass loops. On the first single, “Shout It In,” galactic electronics meld into grooving upbeats and danceable guitar breaks topped by Baker’s talkie lyricism. Her strong, yet vulnerable voice works perfectly with Aesop Rock’s production.

Dirty Ghosts’ debut LP, Metal Moon, is due out February 21^st.

Download below the first single “Shout It In” and catch Dirty Ghosts’ on a full California tour in early 2012:

1/19 – Knockout – San Francisco, CA
1/24 – Casanova – San Francisco, CA (DJ SET)
2/23 – Noise Pop Festival – Brick and Mortar – San Francisco, CA
2/24 – Bootleg Theater – Los Angeles
2/25 – Bar Pink – San Diego, CA
2/26 – Detroit Bar – Costa Mesa, CA

"Shout It In" Download:

Dirty Ghosts – Shout It In by Last Gang Entertainment

Don’t miss acclaimed singer/musician Daniel Hart, fresh off tour playing with Bon Iver and currently on a tour of the Southwest in support of his newest album The Orientalist, tomorrow, Dec. 11, at Hemlock Tavern at 9pm. Hart will be supported by three wonderful local acts, orchestral indie rock band The Family Crest, singer-songwriter Debbie Neigher and afro-beat influenced Guy Fox.

The Family Crest is a seven-piece band making music by enlisting over 100 “family members” to record with them on various pieces. Debbie Neigher’s intimate, piano-driven music is reminiscent of Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple. She recently released an accomplished, self-titled debut of classical influenced, quiet, beautiful tracks. Guy Fox has grown a local following through his late night dance and house parities. His live set includes horns, guitars, drums, bass and synth, influenced by afrobeat and jazz music.

–Amanda Dissinger

Daniel Hart – "How Can Love Be Wrong" from charlyne yi on Vimeo.

SF’s favorite electro pop quartet The Frail is playing favorites with the Deli, giving our readers a first look at its new video for single "Frenemies." The video chronicles the boys out on a crazy night in the city. Its catchy chorus of “1,2,3,4 can’t see me anywhere, 5,6,7,8 get seem to get away” makes the song a perfect party anthem. Crank it up, nine-to-fivers.

Download the entire “Lovers Over Lasers” EP and catch the guys tonight at Popscene, opening for fellow local troublemakers The Hundred Days.

–Amanda Dissinger

December twenty-eleven rules!

First there was a Bay Area heatwave and I skipped around San Francisco in a tiny dress and sunglasses.

Second, local music heroes Shannon and the Clams released a new retro-flavored video for "Toxic Revenge" where Shannon gets eaten by a giant green monster man (watch it below).

Third, East Bayer Hunx, who used to perform with his punx (one of whom is Shannon of Shannon and the Clams), decided to go solo and release his first song "Always Forever" (download here) where he limits his nasal-toned voice. It’s fantastic! I can already feel Hunx climbing to the top of the college radio charts. 

-Justine Fields

Toxic Revenge from Renny McCauley on Vimeo.

Bay Area post hardcore band Troubled Coast is back with new music and a set of West Coast tour dates. After forming in 2009, the five-piece released two full-lengths and an EP on various record labels including Creator-Destructor Records and Atomic Garden Records before deciding to release its newest 7" i’ve been thinking about leaving you on Pure Noise, out Jan. 17. The 7" will feature four tracks, including new single "La Jetee" and will be released via a limited run of 1000 copies (with different color vinyl options as well).

If you like thrift stores and battles, then today is your lucky day! San Francisco experimental duo Seventeen Evergreen is back with a new, totally tripped out (and therefore amazing) video for their latest single “Polarity Song.”

The track will be featured on a new EP Psychiatrist, out 12/16 via Lucky Numbers. Expect a full-length album in February 2012.

–Amanda Dissinger

Seventeen Evergreen – Polarity Song from Lucky Number Music on Vimeo.

Thanksgiving: over. Black Friday: dunzo. Time to start getting back into the swing of things, which obviously starts with heading out to some see some local jams at a local joint. Not sure where to head? We’ve got a great idea in mind! Local groups Bad Bibles and Listo will be playing support to Brooklyn group Pterodactyl at El Rio Saturday night. We’re down. See you there?

Latest tracks by Bad Bibles

What do you get when you put a metalhead drummer and a sad bastard guitar player in a room together? In the case of Oceanography, you get surprisingly catchy songs about vanilla extract and potato guns.

Despite his mellow musical tastes, singer-songwriter Brian Kelly has not crumbled under drummer Kathleen Richards’ heavy beats. Instead, the pair has managed to balance out their respective extremes and found a rocking middle. Kelly’s plaintive vocals and personal lyrics are transformed from lonesome bar stool soliloquies to fist-pumping crowd-raisers by Richards’ bashing drums. The Oakland duo (and couple on-and-off stage) are currently finishing up a new five-song EP and preparing for a west coast tour.

“I haven’t had the heart to tell Kathleen she can’t bring her whole damn wardrobe,” says Kelly. “In fact I’m only bringing a change of underwear. By the end of this tour odds are we’re gonna stink, but we’ll sound great.” 

Oakland psych-rockers Mwahaha have a self-released album due out on Dec 6th. To tickle our fancies about what they’re soon to unleash, they’ve given the interwebs a free download of their upcoming track "Love" featuring fellow Oakster, Merril Garbus, of tUnE-yArDs.

Singer Ross Peacock told MTV Hive, “When I wrote the melody, I heard a kind of country, male/female harmony in my head, like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton or something." While the song is more Metronomy than Rogers and Parton, at least we know precisely why we’ve been blessed with this lovely collab. Enjoy the free download below!

-Justine Fields

Since it’s November, the year-end lists are soon to be pouring in, which means it’s time to scrutinize your music library and recognize the embarrassment that you gave Kreayshawn twenty more spins than tUnE-YarDs (what a philistine!) and to take note that you really, really, really loved the new Girls record. In undertaking this mass analysis of your 2011 music, it may also become apparent that you missed a lot. 

The Deli is guilty too. In fact, it’s been more than a year since the release of a few albums that certainly should have been on our radar. But thankfully the Internet is a forgiving place that allows us to listen to the past and post in real time! Here are three bands that we missed, but…you know, things…happen and umm…please don’t hate us!

Dina Maccabee, Who Do You Suppose You Are
Release date: October 2010
Months late mentioning: 13
Why it still matters: Aside from having an adorable name, Dina Maccabee also has a damn impressive resume that includes playing strings on records with The Morning Benders and Vetiver, plus appearing live alongside Sufjan Stevens and Wilco. Pairing the accomplished and Bay-based Maccabee up with her guitarist friend Tobin Summerfield resulted in a Sara Bareilles-esque album…and it’s great! We’re surprised VH1 hasn’t picked this lady up as a ‘You Oughta Know’ artist yet, which makes us feel good we’re not the only ones missing out on amazing music. Phew.

Brookhaven, When The Chorus Walks
Release date: August 16, 2010
Months late on mentioning: 15
Why it still matters: Oaktowner Sonny James’ solo project of ambient guitars kind of reminds us of Real Estate (as does his bands name…doesn’t Brookhaven sound like some sweet suburban real estate?) but since the 2011 Real Estate album isn’t that amazing, maybe you’ll enjoy this 2010 record in all its glorious obscurity.

Shuteye Unison, Our Future Selves
Release Date: November 16, 2010
Months late mentioning: 12
Why it still matters: Apparently Shuteye Unison’s sophomore effort, Our Future Selves, was based on one guiding principle: "Sexability Above All." Sexability? Sounds good to us. Sign me up.

-Justine Fields

Billed as “where Gogol Bordello meets Muse,” for some unforeseen reason I still gave Diego’s Umbrella the benefit of the doubt. Hearing their latest tracks “Downtown” and “Richardson,” which you too can hear over at Deli Radio, they’re not as hate-worthy as they made themselves out to be! In fact, I kind of like it. Yes, there’s a bit of Middle Eastern flava’ and a few chimes I could do without, but overall, upbeat, catchy stuff. Certainly not the next Muse, but in my music library, that’s a great thing. 

Diego’s Umbrella have a few touring dates coming up, the first of which is Friday, November 11 at the Independent. Check them out and report back, please.

–Justine Fields

Oakland’s Winfred E. Eye is set to release a fifth full length album, Today Was Another Day, on January 10. In the meantime, you can take a first look at the video for "Movin’ On."

Today Was Another Day is the type of album meant to be put on during an afternoon nap and "Movin’ On," the closing track, is the type of song you hear once you’ve basically asleep, but are still conscious enough to know music is playing.

It’s a particularly tranquil tune that offers lyrics such as, "All my friends are dying, all be dead one day, and I just keep moving on." However, when paired with this video full of nostalgic home videos, it’s debatable if the band is really moving on. Judge for yourself below.

–Justine Fields