Haux’s music belongs to a breed of dream-folk that knocks the air right out of your lungs. The NYC-based (via London) singer-songwriter recently released a remix package of his song “Caves,” a hushed, atmospheric composition with hints of drama and the catch and release of gingerly-built tension. We are streaming below the original version from last year’s EP "All We’ve Known." Haux will be playing live on April 27 at Baby’s All Right, and will be on tour this summer in North America and Europe. – Geena Kloeppel
Former Maggot House proprietors/Deli Philly Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners, Roof Doctor, a.k.a. Mark Harper, Kevin Paschall, Alex Stackhouse, and Chet Williams, just played their last show this past Saturday at PhilaMOCA, alongside pals Mumblr and Yes Yes A Thousand Times Yes. They also raised $1,162 for th Southern Poverty Law Center, while treating attendees to some dope jams and tasty Franklin Fountain Ice Cream, cookies and lollipops. However, before the guys had themselves killed off, they wanted to share their final recordings, found on the EP So Long and Thanks for Nothing, which you can stream and download below. Thanks for everything, fellas! (Photo by Mariel Celentano)
We have finally reached the end of the road for The Deli’s Best Emerging NYC 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 NYC Jurors:
Rami (PopGun Presents), Lauren (Northside Media Group), Katie Jones (National Sawdust), Hannah Gold (City Winery), Chris Pickering (Alphaville), Christopher Thomas, Matt (Rockwood Music Hall), Paolo De Gregorio (The Deli), Paul Bacher (The Knit), Christine (Sofar Sounds), Brett Tabisel (LPR NYC), Michelle (Bowery Ballroom), Tim (ASCAP), Eric (The Wild Honey Pie), Alex (Webster Hall), Patrick (Oh My Rockness), Tyler (Brooklyn Bazaar), Greg (The Delancey), Bowery Electric, Grace Gibson (Arlene’s Grocery)
BEST OF NYC POLL – THE FINAL RESULTS
1. BABY SHAKES
This year’s Best of NYC band is Baby Shakes, a power-pop/garage rock four-piece (there’s a ghost member in the band) that knows how to have fun. The group wins this poll’s grand prize: the cover of the spring 2017 issue of The Deli – we are looking forward to that issue! The band’s catalogue is pleasantly varied, with everything from relaxed surf rock tunes to easy rock-n-rollers to borderline punk, heavy-hitters. Though the expert guitar work of Mary Blount and Judy Lindsay is apparent, featuring harmonization, synchronized riffs, and the occasional shredtastic solo, what really makes Baby Shakes so infectious is the raw force and high energy of their songs. It’s something you can pick up on even through earbuds. Be on the lookout for their new album Turn It Up out this spring. – Andrew Strader
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2. BANGLADEAFY!
Bangladeafy! is a band that’s hard to forget after a first listen. They take a mathy, complex, progressive approach to metal without resulting obnoxious. They tow a unique line somewhere between metal and electronica, using arpeggiating synths to compliment complex percussion patterns and distorted guitars. This band is, without a doubt, carving a new path for metal in the tech age. – Andrew Strader
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3. BREANNA BARBARA
Breanna Barbara, self described as "occult blues" reimagines the roots of that genre, crafting a witchy, psychedelic take on it. Her latest record, Mirage Dreams was made in Nashville and there’s no hiding it: slide guitar, rhodes, and fuzzy bass, all come together to create a fresh take on an authentically southern sound, but with an edge. – Andrew Strader
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OVERALL TOP 20
Here’s the top 20 of the Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists! This chart reflects the scores of
Born and raised in Orillia, Ontario and now residing in Hamilton; this tune "Electric On My Feet" is one of the coolest pop tunes to come across my desk in a while. The thumpin drums immediately get your head movin’ back and forth. The keys and guitar fill the perfect amount of space with licks goin’ back and forth. Her voice is great though. Sounds like a classic lounge singer of the 60’s was warped into the future and met up with a great indie-funk band. There’s something mysterious and new about ELSEE. I’m interested to see what’s next. – Kris Gies
Self professed "sandy garage rock from an inner city beach". The Beach Bats are from Hamilton. So they must be hangin out at the beach with the unswimmable water. If it helps them create these sweet surf-rock tunes then I hope they keep doin what their doing. Moon Mutt, Goth Bikini and Roger Banks are responsible for the Beach Bats. They mix surf rhythms with indie rock melodies along with 90s punk rock vocals. I could hear the tune "Beach Body" be played on the film "Clerks". – Kris Gies
Tomorrow is a don’t miss show! Anyone who can make it, please go see February’s Emerging Artist of the Month Bad Moves tomorrow night at Comet Ping Pong with folk punk veterans Nana Grizol. For anyone who has not listened to Bad Moves yet, this group is a major reason why DC is still known for its punk music. Simply put, the group is straight fire, maybe destined for greatness.
Catch Bad Moves with Nana Grizol (GA), David Dondero (VA), and Bacchae (DC) tomorrow night, March 26th, at Comet Ping Pong.
The week may have dragged, but now, as the clock dwindles down, the finish line comes into focus. Mother nature has decided to dial up the temperature as a temporary respite, so one may want to act accordingly. Tonight’s show at Kung Fu Necktie serves as a quality starting point. The rollicking, retrograde garage-rock of Scantron offers the type of relaxed but enthusiastic release that the hope of the weekend promises. Triangular boogie-injecting rhythms organically stack bass, organ and percussion into a freight train of fun. This evening, they’ll be paired with the tranquil, psych-garage pill of Burger Records, Los Angeles-based quartet Cosmonauts. Fellow Californians and tourmates, The Molochs, page ahead delivering streaming, straightforward, unhesitating narratives, mixing garage-psych and folk into a pleasing sonic stew.
And before bidding adieu, Roof Doctor performs their somber, melodic, melancholy juxtaposing joyful energy for a final time this Saturday night at PhilaMOCA. Proceeds from the show (which also includes Mumblr and Yes Yes A Thousand Times Yes) will be donated to Southern Poverty Law Center. Meanwhile, the reserved yet ripping, shoegazing, fuzz-flavored tones of So Totally close out the weekend with a set on Sunday at KFN, joining Active Bird Community and The Regrettes. – Michael Colavita
Other places to enjoy this weekend’s weather…
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Mage Hand, This City Called Earth/Scantron/DJ Lean Wit It, DJ FM, DJ Tati Mia/Supah The Man, Jiliyah, SAT Cadaveric Spasm, Goat Wizard/Gordon Bombay, Tiedye Ky, Yuneer Gainz, Terrence Powers, SUN So Totally/McRad, Resilient
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Roof Doctor (Last Show), Mumblr
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT DJ Emynd, Bo Bliz
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SUN Trash Knife, N.E.G., Atomic Cretins
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Crouse, SAT David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Kingfisher, Max Morning-Height, Las Palabras, George Engel Brooks, SAT Darla, Muscle Tough, Tektonic
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Excursions, Mark Baxter, Aviance, Corey Wims and Jay Reezy, Image DaVoice, The Jawn, Jae The Artist, SAT Lucid By Midnight, Menace Of The Canvas, Powerless Rise
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Dirty Dozen Dance Band/(Downstairs) Funky Friday hosted by David Dye, SAT (Upstairs) Stars Apart/(Downstairs) Leonard Cohen Tribute: Under The Oak, Kim Fink, Alex Radus, Glim Dropper, William H. Travis, Catelyn Gipe, Danie Ocean, Chris Kasper, Max Fisher, Bak Pak
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Cacciato, Pansy/Sitting In Cars, Tucker Hill, Dot.gov, Hungry Ghost, SUN Col. Mike Tyler
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Inside Voices, SAT Flat Mary Road, Dolores, Taxes, Repelican/Suburban Living (DJ Set), SUN Ladybird
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Francisco Collazo, SAT DJ Deejsy
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Disgruntled Sherpa Project, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Buddy Roc & The Heartbreak Kids, AndrexArciniega, SAT United Anonymous for Planned Parenthood Benefit Concert: Someone’s Daughters, Sophie Coran, Emily Mineo, Erin Fox, Elissa Janelle Velveteen, George Engel Brooks, Red Queen Lilith, Naz
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Alex Catrambone, Matthew Gold
Minimal experimental pop duo HOTT MT are back with "At Night in Chinatown", a heavily layered track that continues their streak of splicing a random assortment of gossamer noises that both soothes the ears and captures one’s curiosity. The accompanying video combines a random sorting of visuals that were mostly shot at their warehouse space, best known to most of us DIY gig seekers as Non Plus Ultra (R.I.P.), as well as a few nocturnal shots of, well, Chinatown.
"At Night in Chinatown" is taken from their forthcoming second album AU, out May 4 via their own label Mutation Records.
Post-punk badasses Dark Web get hilariously freaky with the help of some Philly music community pals in their rad, new video for "Toxic America". The single can be found on the band’s self-titled album, which is being released on cassette via Suicide Bong Tapes. They’ll be celebrating its arrival this evening at Century with Blowdryer, Remote Control, and Illuminati Sequence, where the first 100 attendees will receive a free tape and download code with admission.
With a name like the ’94 Knicks, maybe it’s appropriate that this Brooklyn-based band is serving up the type of indie rock your dad used to make. With tons of distortion, catchy angular riffs, and break-your-heart levels of reflective and relatable lyrics, the group crafts tunes that may just make you nostalgic for simpler times… like when the Knicks were actually worth following. Listen to the ’94 Knicks streaming below and catch them 4/18 at Muchmore’s playing with Scott Sellwood, Huh and Paintings.-Olivia Sisinni
Moruga Scorpio‘s debut EP, 1, is an unapologetic collection of sweet, groovy, pop tunes that even music snobs can get into. The tunes blend surfy, classic sounding pop reminiscent of The Beach Boys with darker, heavier, weirder, psychedelic elements that bring The Butthole Surfers to mind. The songs are self-proudced by Evan Donohue, the mastermind behind Moruga Scorpio and former Diarrhea Planet member. Upon listening, it seems he harbors a strong distate genre limitations. There really isn’t a single category you can definitively box these songs into, and that makes his music exciting. Morgua Scorpio is for anyone who simply likes great songs with great production. Give it a listen:
Miki Fiki is a new project started by singer/songwriting Ted Hartog. His debut self-titled EP is a brass-heavy collection of heartbreaky pop tunes that have an irresistably sweet blend of nostalgia, catharsis and melancholy. Clearly influenced by indie pop sensations like Whitney and Ben Folds, Hartog’s work is lyric-heavy, with triumphant melodies that stick like glue to memory. The EP’s three songs chronicle the chaos of the post breakup emotional state and painstakingly organize it. If this short work is any indication of what’s to come from Miki Fiki in the future, indie pop fans had better be on the lookout because, sonically, there’s nothing else like this happening in Nashville.
