New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
A female-fronted band with a larger-than-life sound, Berklee alt-rockers, Self Portraits, employ an impressive, accessible sound that is sure to leave a mark on the Boston music scene. Their music is full of varied influences, catchy pop sensibilities with an arena rock energy. Full of soaring guitars and powerhouse vocals, Self Portraits is a force to be reckoned with. Catch them at The Red Room at Cafe 939 on 2/17 with The Interlopers and Brandon Diaz ‘N Soul. -Brian Varneke
There’s an inviting quality to New World Haunts, the debut effort from indie-rock group, White Cassette. It’s an original, atmospheric sound that never outstays its welcome. Filled with subtle, mature grooves and intelligent, emotional lyrics, Haunts, is an impressively refined entry for the Boston quintet. The album is available on most streaming platforms, but take a few minutes to brush up on your ping-pong skills, and check out the video for their single "Whywhom" below. -Brian Varneke
Specializing in the dark swells of rock music’s subgenres, Past Haunts has given XRAY.fm listeners the best in everything from krautrock to coldwave every Monday for the last four years. They’ve hosted some pretty good live shows in their day and their first one of the year is another one to add to the list. Past Haunts is taking over Lovecraft on Friday by joining Portland’s Tender Age with LA’s Drab Majesty, and Soft Metals acting as the artist fulcrum between the two cities.
The slo-fi pop of Tender Age is the perfect sound to fully represent the drizzly minimalism of the Rose City. All three of their releases (comprised of two 7" and an EP) eptiomize noisy soundscapes that are more than easy to get immersed in and this show couldn’t be a better way for them to ring in 2017 with.
Electronic duo Soft Metals have roots here in the Pacific Northwest and SoCal, with their synthesizer sounds indicative of our darkwave scene as well as what’s going on in some of those LA clubs. Rumor has it they’re working some new material, exciting Soft Metals fans who have been craving another release following 2013’s Lenses. Rounded out by the not so drab coldwave of Drab Majesty and this turns into another delightfully dark night at the Lovecraft.
NYC’s buzzworthy soul ensemble, 79.5, channels a legendary girl-group energy in their new single "Boy Don’t Be Afraid". The second single off of their upcoming album Predictions, the group combines impeccable vocal harmonies, subtly smooth grooves, and their unique modern flavor, to create a sound that embodies the musical culture of New York City. They’ll be playing live 3/31 at the Bowery Ballroom alongside Chicano Batman, and The Shacks, but in the meantime, stream them below.-Olivia Sisinni
Brooklyn-based artist Birch‘s new single, "Pick Sides" arrives at an exceptionally divisive point in our country’s history. While most people find themselves plagued with a robust outpouring of facebook fights focused on politics, social constructs, or the full gamut in between, Michelle Birsky–the synth-pop artist behind the musical project–turns her attention to the binary ways of thinking that create the false dichotomies that divide us. The single proves to be a bit more pop-minded than her previous releases, but the gravity of the subject blends seamlessly into her infectious melodies, and truly showcases her songwriting prowess. You can catch Birch live at the Mercury Lounge 2/25 alongside, Controller and Madeline Mondrala, but also click the play button to stream her below.-Olivia Sisinni
Brooklyn-based band, Wild Arrows, crafts indie pop tunes with a seriously dark streak that feels a lot like 80’s goth-pop heaven. Their latest release, "Dark Me" is no exception, combining clean, minimalist beats with harrowing lyricism to create a single that’s as striking as it is catchy. The band is gearing up to release a new album April 14th, and we can only imagine it’s stocked with the same flavor of dreamy synths, moody lyricism and the glittering transe-like aesthetic that we’ve come to love them for. You can catch the band live at the Music Hall of Williamsburg 3/29 alongside Minus the Bear and Bayonne, but before then take a listen to Wild Arrows below.-Olivia Sisinni
My Psycho Ex seem to specialize in dirty ass rock n roll. Which is deadly. They hail from Toronto and bring the noise with powerbomb like intensity. I’m hearing some stoner rock influences like Kyuss along with some 90’s grunge grooves and a touch of Flash Lightnin’. "Fresh and New" is a banger from their album "Coyotes". It should be played on a highlight reel for anything involving a fight. My Psycho Ex plays at Stop Drop n’ Roll (300 College St.) on Saturday February 18th with Flamingo Báy and The Thinly Veiled Double Entendres. – Kris Gies
The Best of LA Folk/Americana Readers’ Poll has just begun and we’ve got our first winner.
Well, winners I should say, as both Shannon Lay and Lael Neale virtually split the vote for us to determine that it’d be fair to declare it a tie. Lael Neale writes stripped-down, spacious ballads that gain potency with her fragile croon. Shannon Lay, on the other hand, conjures ethereal dreamscapes with a haunting display of harmonic interplay.
Shannon Lay is playing the Bootleg tonight, where she’ll be playing songs off of her recently released LP "All This Life Goin’ Down". Lael Neale regularly plays the local circuit, so make sure to follow her facebook account to find out where she’s playing next.
Lael Neale
Shannon Lay
The Indie Pop category was definitely stacked this year, and after compiling the jurors’, readers’/fans’ and writers’ votes, congratulations go out to Louie Louie! The stylish garage-pop sisterhood has been working hard and steadily building on their artistic vision, causing many in the Philly music community to take noticed. Led by Emily Robb (Lantern, Myrrias) on guitar/vox and joined by Jenna Robb on drums/vox, Emily Eichelberger on bass/vox, and Leslie Burnette on organ/vox, the band harkens back to the golden age of girl groups that produced legendary acts like The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las; however, the ladies put their own surf-psych spin on the classic sound. Louie Louie just celebrated the release of its full-length album, Friend Of A Stranger (Born Losers Records), with a packed performance this past Friday at PhilaMOCA, and will be spending the rest of the month into March on the road in support of their first LP.
We are also happy to see and share that runner-up honors go out to Mercury Girls, which features members of Literature, Pet Milk, and Little Big League. They released their debut 7" last year via highly respected indie-pop label Slumberland. And Queen Jeans, who placed third overall in our poll last year, continue to be on the minds of our voters with their recent honorable mention performance. Check out the latest releases from all these fine bands below!
With bubbly synth-pop coasting in a steady calm matriculation, Fabergégé’s self-titled debut album never stops. Featuring Thom Lessner (Sweatheart), Dave Pap, Kelly Karavalis, and Pat Finnerty, the band finds a solid, mid-tempo pace, cruising along in consistent, low-pressure circumstances. It’s a joyously, fun collection, offering lyrical tongue-twisters that bounce with a bright, pop hue. Hopefully it will help to push you through any midweek lulls.
Our selected jurors and The Deli Magazine readers have spoken! The Oakland based band, Mall Walk have officially won The Deli SF Artist of the Year Composite Chart (readers+jurors) Poll for the Indie Rock/Pop Category!
I know that sounds like a mouthful, but it just means it’s the chart that considers both the votes of our jury of "local scene experts" (who nominated all the bands in the list) AND our readers! These guys are acutally a personal fave band of mine.
Congratulations to this talented band of beings. Well done and Godspeed! Enjoy this victory! Soak it in!
Associate Editor, The Deli SF
Jordannah Elizabeth
Congratulations to Doctor Striker for winning the The Deli Magazine San Francisco Artist of the Year Readers Poll (Indie Rock/Pop)! The Deli SF’s readers have casted their votes and Doctor Striker has come out on top as their favorite band of the year! We’re happy to extend this honor and I sincerely hope this band continues to make music long into the future.
Associate Editor, The Deli SF
Jordannah Elizabeth
