Chicagoans and Chicagoers!

After a seizure inducing 2 months of polling and voting and churning numbers, we can finally say: "HABEMUS POLL WINNER!"

Congrats to mellow psych folker Young Man, who sealed the win thanks to 2 top jurors votes (3 points each), and to Dastardly and White Mistery, who placed second and third thanks to their fans vote. Here’s a picture of the Young Man also known as Colin Caulfield.

Thanks to all the jurors and the bands and the fans who helped us put together this list of artists. Please don’t take it too seriously (but not too lightly either!), we see it as a fun, playful way to give exposure to deserving emerging local artists.

Artist J OS F TOTAL   1 Young Man 6   0.004 6.004 2 Dastardly 4   2 6 3 White Mystery 4   0.012 4.012 4 King Sparrow 4   0.005 4.005 5 Canasta   0.5 3 3.5 6 Suns 3   0.214 3.214 7 The Loneliest Monk 3   0.064 3.064 8 Disappears 3   0.017 3.017 9 Black Math 3   0.016 3.016 10 SHAPERS 3   0.009 3.009 11 Jon Drake and the Shakes 2   0.5 2.5 12 Gold Motel 2   0.069 2.069 13 Hey Champ! 2   0.034 2.034 14 Smith Westerns 2   0.018 2.018 15 John Bellows 2   0.005 2.005 16 Judson Claiborne 2   0.004 2.004 17 Skybox 2   0.002 2.002 18 Secret Colours   1 1 2   Soft Speaker   0.5 1.5 2 20 Está Vivo   1 0.102 1.102 21 Very Truly Yours   1 0.054 1.054 22 Sad Brad Smith   0.75 0.299 1.049 23 Maps and Atlases 1   0.039 1.039 24 Stephen Paul Smoker 1   0.031 1.031 25 Archie Powell & the Exports 1   0.02 1.02 26 Tiny Magnets 1   0.014 1.014  27 In Tall Buildings 1   0.01 1.01   Joe Pug 1   0.01 1.01   Yawn 1   0.01 1.01 30 Julie Meckler   0.75 0.01 0.76 31 Scattered Trees   0.75 0.006 0.756 32 Verona Red   0.5 0.118 0.618 33 Gemini Club   0.5 0.093 0.593   Chaperone   0.5 0.038 0.538 35 Unicycle Loves You   0.5 0.028 0.528 36 Nathan Xander & Witchouse   0.5 0.014 0.514   The Giving Tree Band   0.5 0.008 0.508 Legend: J = Jury – OS = Open Submissions – W = Deli Writers – F = Fans

The Deli’s Staff

Grape Juice Records recently announced the signing of Jon Drake & The Shakes. The band recently released a free ep called Side A, and will no begin to record their debut album. The band has been together for two years, and have built a solid fan base.

The signing will be celebrated on February 11 at part one of the Grape Juice Records 2011 Showcase Series at Subterranean in Chicago. The night will feature Jon Drake & The Shakes, Chaperone, Rachele Eve and Julie Meckler.

Helicopters have released a wonderful collection of 18 "bits, bites, demos and b-sides (2005-2010)" called Not Diamonds But Diamonds. The collection is available for free through bandcamp.

Briar Rabbit (aka Phillip-Michael Scales) is new to Chicago, but he has already fallen in love our city. He brings with him a powerful voice and strong musical sense and background. He was born in Detroit and has always been fascinated by and practicing music. He was formally trained in Boston, and now has found his way back to the Midwest to call Chicago home.

His debut album, Briar Rabbit & The Company You Keep, was recorded both in Boston and here at CarterCo Studios. The seven-song album can be purchased here where you can also here a few of the tracks.

Briar Rabbit will be performing a free show at The Whistler on Sunday Jan. 30th at 9:45.

Village has released their new album Local Moves, and you can download it for free through soundcloud. The band combines elements of surf pop, lo-fi, and even a touch of rockabilly (see "Eye Sore"). The album raw, but energtic and great winter’s day listen.

Village will be performing at Empty Bottle on Feb. 10th with Maximum Wage.

The latest video session from Giant System features the sweet and soulful sounds of Boutros.

Verona Red has raised enough funds to produce and released their new EP Pound. The EP will feature seven new tracks by the band, and will be released on Feb. 4th. Here is some footage of the band putting the finishing touches on their new track "Kitchens".

Verona Red is celebrating the release of Pound on Feb 4th at Subt with Bully in The Hallway and The Rails.

On January 19th, yourfeetstoobig released a digital ep titled Hunter/Gather. The EP contains seven tracks that are highly danceable but beautiful enough to listen to anywhere. Everything from electronic loops, shoegaze, and pop finds its way into the yourfeetstoobig sound waves.

You can download it for free at from the band’s bandcamp site. (The first 200 downloads are free) Keep an eye out for physical releases, other freebies and show dates in the very near future.

The latest addition to the local label Tandem Shop is a band called The Island of Misfit Toys. The eight-piece band is in the process of recording their debut studio album, but have already begun to gain a reputation for their live performances. You can see why in the video below. Their debut album is due this Spring, and will be called Bear Hair.

The Island of Misfit Toys will be performing at Subterranean on January 23rd with The Please & Thanks Yous and Currier.

Seafarer made their way on to Daytrotter this week. The band performed four tracks from their new ep Hiding Places.

The band will be performing a free show at The Whistler on Jan. 23rd and at Empty Bottle on Jan. 28th.

Rita J. steals the show and declares that "hip hop is back!" on this new video from Atlanta’s Clan Destined.

Rise Against is back and will be releasing their new album Endgame on March 15th by DGC/Interscope. The first single from the album is called "Help Is On The Way" and will be released digitally on Jan. 25th.