Philadelphia

The Deli’s Best Emerging Philly Hip Hop/Funk/Electronica Artist: Moor Mother!

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We just completed our final poll for the categories of Hip Hop/Funk/Electronica. After compiling the jurors’, readers’/fans’ and writers’ votes, congrats go out to Moor Mother, a.k.a. Camae Ayewa! We first encountered the experimental musician/poet/curator/activist as Camae Defstar, co-fronting politically charged punk/hip-hop outfit The Mighty Paradocs. She later began producing and releasing her own solo material as Moor Mother Goddess, before dropping last year’s critically acclaimed Fetish Bones (Don Giovanni) under her revised, current moniker. The hometown renaissance woman has been grinding away for years in the Philadelphia music scene, refining her artistic vision, while being a supportive force in the local music community, so we are very happy to see her gaining recognition and continuing to do so on her own terms – bravo!

We’d also like to send out some love to our most recent Readers’/Fans’ Poll Winners, Wax Future, who also finished second overall in the Hip Hop/Funk/Electronica category. And coming in third, Hardwork Movement have proven in 2016 that their band name is more than just a name; it’s their ethos. We’ll be sharing our final results for this year’s Best Emerging Philly Artists Poll with our list of Top Performers, so remember to check back tomorrow! 

Philadelphia

Debut Sadsadsosad EP Available for Streaming & Download

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Sadsadsosad doesn’t pull any punches entitling its debut EP A Couple of Songs You Can Sorta Dance to, But They’re Kinda Sad. However, despite the fact that both the tracks maneuver through a musical melancholy, they represent different points on the sadness spectrum. “You’re Never Around” juxtaposes the loose, quirky, pulsating beat with a whispered narrative of loneliness and abandonment, while “My Dog Is Dead and This Is How I’m Dealing With It” serves as a subdued, sensitive tribute to one’s beloved best friend. It’s so bittersweet.

Nashville

Anna Wise brings her (electro-soul) feminist message to SXSW

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The unique artistry in the music of Anna Wise stems from the role her lyricism and vocal talent plays in modern political discourse about the role of the female. With production and soulful melodies that evoke associations with electronic artists like Little Dragon, she offers both bold observations and protest about the social limitations placed on women: "No one tells the woman we go through the fiery flames to come out stronger / A girl has got to try twice as hard and still it’s you who says you made her," she pipes on "Stacking That Paper". It would feel like blasphemy to pass over Wise’s work without giving it the attention it deserves, because this isn’t just art for art’s sake. The urgency of the political moment, especially for women, calls for vital art that shakes the jaded mind awake, and this is precisely what her work does. Anna Wise released sophomore LP "The Feminine: Act II" in February and will be performing at SXSW at the Empire Control Room on march 14th, check out her video from single ‘Coconots’ below – Andrew Strader 

L.A.

Cones take to the open road on “Echoes On”

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Cones, the debut project of brothers Jonathan and Michael Rosen, play a breezy kind of folk rock that resembles the early days of Laurel Canyon with an itch for classic rock. It’s a sound that they both brought together to Eleanor Friedberger’s band, and now they’re conveying that same sense of rumininating drift into their own hands with their new single "Echoes On". It’s an apt title for a song that gently drifts into the sunset with its meandering strums and lean twangy arrangements, now accompanied with an animated music video that charmigly and dreamily illustrates the beauty of being on the road. 

"Echoes On" is taken from the duo’s forthcoming EP, "Whatever You’re Into". – Juan Rodríguez

 

 

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Twenty First Road Trip” – The Spirit of the Beehive

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The Spirit of the Beehive’s long-awaited new album, Pleasure Suck, is set for release on March 24 via Tiny Engines. As we lie in wait, Federico Casanova’s video for “Twenty First Road Trip" has emerged. A blitz of ever-morphing, creepy/nostalgic imagery is displayed as the song’s soothing, grunge-psych marriage charges ahead. You can catch the gang in the flesh tomorrow night at Underground Arts, before they head out next week on an extensive tour across the U.S. in support of Pleasure Suck. (Photo by Emily Burtner)

New England

Choke Up: Juror’s Pick for Best Emerging New England Punk/Metal Act of 2016

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 Taking home the Juror’s prize for Best Emerging New England Punk/Metal Artist of 2016 is Boston punk quartet Choke Up.  Their latest, Black Coffee, Bad Habits, is 14 tracks of anthemic emo-hardcore that will have fans in the pit, screaming lyrics at the top of their lungs.  Dynamic and tight, the quartet flexes their range, seamlessly transitioning from folksy slow jams like "Polka Dots" to blistering punk in "Woke Up Drunk", both standout tracks on the record.  Check them out below.  Special shout-out to Tigerman Woah for keeping it a close race in the poll. –Brian Varneke

New England

Polluter Named Reader’s Pick for Best Emerging New England Punk/Metal Artist of 2016

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 Connecticut natives, Polluter, have been named Best Emerging New England Punk/Metal Artist of 2016 by our reader’s poll.  One of the tougher candidates to categorize, Polluter fits uneasily within the ranks of their punk and metal colleagues.  Showcasing elements of both genres, with splashes of jazz, R&B, spoken word poetry, and more, the six piece band creates their own definition of modern rock.  Their latest, Live Decay, is a potpourri of driving guitar riffs, sultry sax interjections, tight grooves, and pretty much anything else you could think of. –Brian Varneke 

NYC

Twiga to release cassette of ‘Million $$$ Dream’ at The Gateway on 3/17

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Physical media fans, rejoice: After releasing Million $$$ Dream online last October, Brooklyn’s alt-pop quartet Twiga are about to drop that album in tape format via the label Effortless Crush. The glittering gold cassette comes with a digital download code for the album, so that regular people (i.e. those who don’t own a cassette player) can actually listen to it. To celebrate the release of Million $$$ Dream on cassette, Twiga will play a show at The Gateway on March 17th. The event, called "Write Your Reps!" also features fellow Brooklyn bands Fat Heaven, Narc Twain, Medium Mystic, and Debbie Downer. – Will Sisskind

EDIT: A previous version of this article noted the location of this show as Shea Stadium. Due to the recent closure of Shea Stadium, this show has changed its location to The Gateway. – WS

 

Portland

PREMIERE: Ashley Xtina – “Gone”

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Portland via Queens, NY songstress Ashley Xtina is veering from her usual piano ballad beat to try her hand at a more dancier genre, and the outcome is ripe for repeated play.

The Game is Ashley Xtina’s electropop endeavor that’s already given us the incredibly catchy "Frozen In Time," which has received much deserved attention from radio stations from here to Sweden. On this International Women’s Day, she’s dropping the second single from the album, titled "Gone," and the way its synthy ’90s dance styles showcase her vocal ability is sure to make this one another hit to add to her list.

Give "Gone" a listen below, and be sure to catch Ashley Xtina’s next performance at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser at Portland Saturday Market July 8-9. You could also meet Ashley at any of her #WCW (Woman Crush Wednesday) events, which are monthly showcases at the Jade Lounge that feature Portland’s, and soon to be New York’s and Nashville’s, diverse and talented female musicians. 

NYC

Adiós Ghost unveils new single “Uncanny Valley,” plays Knockdown Center tomorrow (03.09)

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Brooklyn’s Adiós Ghost just unveiled the first single off of their upcoming debut LP, Fade Out With Your Phantoms, which is set to come out in April. While Adiós Ghost continues to embrace the West African-inspired sounds of their past, they’ve introduced influences of new wave and funk into "Uncanny Valley", referencing the groove-centered rock of early-80s art-rock legends such as Peter Gabriel. Those familiar with the band’s 2016 release Endless Return will hear more of the signature driven vocals from Ben Sigerson, as well as other familiar voices through featured guests C.F. Watkins and Half Waif‘s Nandi Plunkett. The track itself was recorded at the studio of Drew Vandenberg, who’s done production work for Of Montreal and Futurebirds, among others.

To celebrate the release of "Uncanny Valley", Adiós Ghost will perform at the Knockdown Center in Queens on March 9th with Shy Layers and Faten Kanaan. Stay tuned for details of Adiós Ghost’s Eastern U.S. tour, which will happen this spring after the release of Fade Out With Your Phantoms. – Will Sisskind

Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s Yearly Readers’/Fans’ Hip Hop/Funk/Electronica Poll Winner: Wax Future

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We just wrapped up our final Readers’/Fans’ Poll for this year with the categories of Hip Hop/Funk/Electronica. Thank you to all who participated and voted! We wouldn’t be able to this without you.

Congrats to the prolific production collective of Connor Hansell, Keith Wadsworth, and Jamal Rab, better known as Wax Future! Incorporating beloved, traditional sounds of the past while continuing to push the boundaries of our pleasure sensories, the trio came to get down on its latest release Make Me Feel Again. Upon first listen, it’s pretty obvious to assume that a party is a brewin’ whenever these three gents come together for their groove-filled, expansive, improvisational live performances. Consume whateva ya need to get ya goin’, and make it out to their next show!

Philadelphia

New Track: “The Electric Step” – Ecstatic Vision

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Raw Rock Fury, the new album from Ecstatic Vision, is slated for released on April 7 via Relapse. “The Electric Step” cultivates a heavy, hazy, rhythmic air of anticipation, before the guttural ooze of sorcerer-style vocals descend from the mountaintop. The long-form nature shifts you into the band’s fire-breathing, axe-wielding ferocity. And before the crew heads down to SXSW, catch them this Friday, March 10 at Underground Arts as part of an epic bill that also includes upcoming tourmates Creepoid as well as Purling Hiss and The Spirit of the Beehive!