Dear Deli Readers,
We have finally reached the end of the road for The Deli’s Best Emerging Philly 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 Philly Jurors:
Justin Berger (Deathwaltz), Dan Bisogno (Choice Tasters Selectors), Jeff Blinder (Spazz Presents), Gabrielle Bonghi (Philly.com), Kate Bracaglia (Freelance), Eric Bresler (PhilaMOCA), Jessica Craft (Rock To The Future), Katie Duggan (Underground Arts/Bonfire Shows), Shana Hartzel (Swell Tone/Y-Not Radio), Kevin Horn (AEG), Colin Kerrigan (Out Of Town Films), Dave Kiss (Kung Fu Necktie/Flash Mob Productions), Josh T. Landow (Y-Not Radio), Carolyn Lederach (Sofar Sounds Philly), Barrett Lindgren (Johnny Brenda’s/Independent Promoter), Jesse Lundy (Point Entertainment), Gordon Mays (MilkBoy Philly/Bonfire Shows), Jeff Meyers (Boot & Saddle), George Miller (JUMP Philly), Taylor Morganti (The Foundry/Live Nation), Mark Schoneveld (YVYNYL), Jon Solomon (WPRB), Q.D. Tran (The Deli Magazine), John Vettese (The Key/WXPN), Allie Volpe (Freelance), Nikki Volpicelli (Urban Outfitters), Chris Ward (Johnny Brenda’s), Bruce Warren (WXPN, The Key), Brian Wilensky (Freelance)
And now, without further ado, CONGRATS to…
1. Mannequin Pussy (17)
Mannequin Pussy’s Marisa Dabice, Thanasi Paul, Kaleen Reading, and Colins “Bear” Regisford had a whirlwind of a year in 2016. The band toured extensively throughout the U.S. in support of their critically acclaimed album Romantic, which was released back in October via Tiny Engines Records. Major media outlets such as NPR, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and Stereogum to name a few have all helped to spread the word, expressing praise for Dabice’s explosive serenity in her songcraft. Mannequin Pussy’s songs of hope, patience, and love have resonated with a wide range of listeners, which has only exponentially grown over the last few years. The beginning of 2017 has already seen the group touring with Joyce Manor and AJJ, and the band has also announced multiple overseas festival appearances in the year to come so don’t expect to see the gang performing anywhere and everywhere in town like you used to, so take advantage of their appearance this Saturday, March 11 at PhilaMOCA, when they support another badass Philly band, Pissed Jeans, at the second of their two sold-out record release shows. (Photo by Scott Troyan)
2. Louie Louie (11.005)
The cliché suggests that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; that is especially true when applied to a band. The quartet of Louie Louie initially caught our attention because of Emily Robb’s proven track record in bands such as Lantern and Myrrias. And with our ears on alert, the group’s initial single, “Out In The Streets”/“Miles Around,” served as an ideal introduction to their smooth/grit-juxtaposing sound. Louie Louie cast a wave of nostalgia, harkening back to classic girl groups, injecting an assertive, take-the-lead approach with a tenacious, surf-psych gear. Last month, the femme fatales released their debut full-length album, Friend Of A Stranger, via Philly imprint Born Losers Records, and the promise of those initial songs have come to fruition in a polished but potent collection.
3. The Dove & The Wolf (10.5)
The Dove & The Wolf’s Paloma Gil and Louise Hayat-Camard made their mark on the Philly music scene in 2016. The Parisian transplants expanded their line-up into a full band, with the addition of multi-instrumentalist Craig Hendrix (Auctioneer, Mammal of Paradise) and Andy Black (Nicos Gun, Dangerous Ponies), building on their rich harmonic foundations, while sharing bills with notable acts such as The Districts, Quilt, and Japanese Breakfast. Their EP I Don’t Know What To Feel, a collection of contemplative and chillingly alluring tracks, was written in part as a response to the terrorist attacks in Paris at the end of 2015. The group was eventually picked up by Fat Possum Records, who will be releasing the album on limited-edition color vinyl later this month. (Photo by Colin Kerrigan)
Below are more of this year’s Philly Top Performers…
4. Moor Mother (7.5)
5. Japanese Breakfast (7.014)
6. Mercury Girls (7.007)
7. Pinkwash (7)
7. Wax Future (7)
9. Hardwork Movement (6.5)
9. The Retinas (6.5)
11. Carroll (6.013)
12. NAH (6.012)
13. Ceramic Animal (6)
14. Soul Glo (5.5)
15. Queen of Jeans (5.043)
16. Curtis Cooper (5.005)
17. The Writhing Squares (5.003)
18. RFA (5)
18. Sumerlands (5)
20. Harmony Woods (4.5)
21. Jesse Hale Moore (4.029)
22. Mumblr (4.004)
23. Joie Kathos (4)
23. Marge (4)
23. So Totally (4)
26. Amanda X (3.5)
26. Andorra (3.5)
26. Blue Smiley (3.5)
26. Camp Candle (3.5)
26. Kississippi (3.5)
26. Petunia (3.5)
26. Vita and the Woolf (3.5)
33. Square Peg Round Hole (3.07)
34. Sun Organ (3.016)
35. Darla (3.015)
36. The Afterglows (3.012)
37. Hurry (3.01)
37. The Guests (3.01)
39. Swift Technique (3.009)
40. Suburban Living (3.006)
41. Deadfellow (3.003)
42. Dark Thoughts (3.002)
43. Dark Web (3)
43. Deer Scout (3)
43. Joy Riding (3)
43. PHNTMS (3)
47. Them Jones (2. 071)
48. Shadow Band (2.067)
49. Free Cake For Every Creature (2.023)
50. Thin Lips (2.011)
We hope that you had a chance to discover something new from this year’s poll, or revisit forgotten favorites.
Much Love!
The Deli Staff