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The Bothers Comatose is The Deli Readers’ Best SF Emerging Artist of 2012

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SF Deli Readers,

The Deli SF’s Best of 2012 Readers and Fans’ Poll for local emerging artists is over, thanks to all those who cast their vote in support of the emerging local bands and artists in our list of nominees.

Congratulations to americana/newgrass group The Brothers Comatose (pictured and video streaming) for being The Deli Readers’ Best Emerging SF Artist of 2012!

Here’s this poll’s top 10 chart, full results can be found here.  

Congrats also go out to Lauren O’Connell and Planet Booty, who came in second and third place. 

BEST OF SF 2012 – READERS’ POLL RESULTS
 
ARTIST
VOTES
 
1
The Brothers Comatose
 325
2
Lauren O’Connell
310
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3
Planet Booty
265
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4
Tumbleweed Wantderers
239
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5
Ash Reiter
142
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6
Guy Fox
134
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7
Heather Normandale
85
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8
French Cassettes
76
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9
Permanent Collection
57
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10
Seabright
53
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MOST IMPORTANTLY THOUGH! Stay tuned for the composite chart, to be released soon, which will include the point nominees accumulated from the jurors and Deli writers’ votes, and will crown The Deli’s Best Emerging SF Artist of 2012.

The Deli’s Staff

NYC

On The Beat with Liam Sumnicht

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(Photo by Jodie Platz Photography) 

From promoting local music by presenting it on the radio or pounding on a kit on stage, Liam Sumnicht is a loud proponent of the Kansas City music scene. His band Not A Planet is getting its name known in the area with an album release in the next month, and is playing one of the MidCoast Takeover fundraisers this weekend. To find out more about Liam, catch the beat right here!
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
On The Beat is an exclusive feature from The Deli Magazine-Kansas City that showcases many of the talented drummers in the Kansas City area. 
 

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Album review: The Lucky – The Lucky (EP)

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The Lucky does not waste anyone’s time getting into the nitty-gritty of its self-titled EP. A four-count of fast, punky guitars drives you straight into the opening track, whimsically titled “Lalalalike You,” a cute little diddy about—not love—simply lalalaliking someone. Lead primarily by the vocal work of Jason McKee, his female counterpart Camilla Camille, chimes in every now and then to boost the anthem into a high-speed duet.

           
“Lalalalike You” is promptly followed up with “Owl & Me.” This song slows things down a bit… but only a bit. Camille’s sensual, breathy vocals on the verses transmute into a full-blown rocker-chick sound for the chorus. “Can’t Shake You” is next. Again, Camille voices this song. It’s equally as charming as the first song. With a chorus of “la la la’s,” the song quickly anchors itself into that part of the brain where songs tend to get stuck.
 
The final track, “Mad One,” brings up the lively grungy guitars every loves (to some degree). A classy guitar solo spins the song into something that can easily be taken as a single. This song is easily a depiction of what The Lucky is all about.
 
I have yet to mention drummer Jonathan Thatch’s work on these tracks. The drum work is as simple as you’d want it to be—consistent throughout the entire four-track EP. Executed flawlessly to maintain the powerful punk sounds of the songs, the drums add a powerful element.
 
If you’re not listening for it, you won’t miss the bass riffs. The band is simply a three-piece, omitting the bass. The guitar work keeps the listener at full attention. The album sounds ultimately lo-fi, in terms of recording quality. But you wouldn’t want to listen to The Lucky any other way. The fast-paced rock ‘n roll songs are boosted with a lo-fi sound, making it seem as though The Lucky is performing right in front of you, at a bar or in your garage; a more intimate sound for the band.
 
The Lucky’s self-titled album was recorded by Paul Malinowski at Massive Sound and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Soundlab.
 
The Lucky will release its debut EP tomorrow night, Friday, February 15, at recordBar. The Lover’s Rock show begins at 10:00 pm with The Heavy Figs, followed by The Lucky, and rounded out by Schwervon!. Tickets are available at the door or purchase here for $7.

–Steven Ervay

Steven is the intern of Midwest Music Foundation and The Deli – Kansas City. He can’t go to 21+ shows yet and that bums him out.  

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Artists on Trial: David Hasselhoff on Acid

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For the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring artists playing the MidCoast Takeover fundraiser shows, sponsored by Midwest Music Foundation.

Kansas City boasts a diverse music scene, ranging from its historic jazz foundation to its renowned symphony to rock bands finding national success. David Hasselhoff on Acid has added yet another dimension of versatility with an instrumental psychedelic rock sound that brings in elements of funk and metal. Let’s find out a little more about the four-piece group.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
 
David Hasselhoff on Acid: David Hasselhoff on Acid is a progressive, instrumental PB&J with extra spank and a side of deep space.
 
The Deli: Let’s talk about your upcoming album. What can we expect?
 
DHOA: Our new album Eudaimonia will be coming out in early May. We are about halfway through the process right now. The album will be 7 songs and feature guest appearances by R.L. Brooks from Maps for Travelers on trumpet and Bobby Bayer from Sundiver and Janet the Planet on saxophone. Expect a more powerful and focused Hoff… or as focused as a schizophrenic could ever hope to be.
 
The Deli: What other plans do you have for 2013?
 
DHOA: Our Kickstarter will be up soon. We are relying on the support of our community, not just our local community but the entire music community to help us get to SXSW. We are hoping to be on Middle of the Map fest in April, and will be promoting a CD release show sometime in May. Depending on fan support from Kickstarter, we hope to make it out to our friends in LA and hit a few shows on the way back. Besides that… look for us opening for more national touring acts that come through Kansas City.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
DHOA: Going out to see shows. Giving those bands your money. Introducing new people to new music and artists in the area.
 
Supporting the local scene is important to us because the KC music scene is tight like family so when we go out to shows we are pretty much supporting friends and family.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
DHOA: Parts of Speech and Janet the Planet, Josh Enyart and everything he does, the Arana brothers, Mark Southerland and Snuff Jazz, Mike Dillon, Zach Rizer, Humans…there are so many talented people and great bands in Kansas City. Too many to list here.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
 
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
DHOA: This would never happen, but it would have to be Animals as Leaders, Meshuggah, Primus and Tool!
 
The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?
 
DHOA: Half and half.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
DHOA: Our bass player’s main influence is Flea, so he would be up there. Abe and Chino from the Deftones because we are all huge Deftones fans, and Beethoven because he’s the shit!
 
The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?
 
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
DHOA: Everything is not always as it seems. Question everything. Laugh as much as possible and see as much local music as you can. We rely on the community. Thank you for listening.
 
DHOA is:
Phil Wolf – guitar
Erich Thomas – bass
Zach Legler – drums
Brandon Bamesberger – guitar
 
You can see David Hasselhoff on Acid this Saturday, February 16, where they will be playing the fourth MidCoast Takeover fundraiser at The Brick. The group will be playing at 11:30, along with Rev Gusto, Cherokee Rock Rifle, and Not A Planet. Facebook event page here. David Hasselhoff on Acid was also one of over 40 KC artists selected to play the 2013 MidCoast Takeover showcase at SXSW from March 13-16 at Shangri-La in Austin, Texas.
 

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Amy Klein After Titus Andronicus: Hilly Eye and Leda

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Since leaving Titus Andronicus, Amy Klein has been a busy woman.  Her work with Hilly Eye (pictured above) points towards a personal development of sonic lessons learned toiling away as guitar and vocal support for the aforementioned (almost entirely) bearded outfit.  Listen to the buzzy “amnesia” on their bandcamp for a clear example of this. At over five minutes in length, the track deftly dances between earnest vocal music and psyched-out guitar bombast.  Amy can also be found out front in her own band Leda. Single “Something To Believe In” reveals a more produced and pop sound.  Handclap percussion and cleaner, less effected guitar textures go hand-in-hand with catchy, defined hooks. The band’s fun sonic formula cleverly blends 60’s girl group rhythms and harmonies with a bit of 70’s Linda Ronstadt western pop. – Dave Cromwell 

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Brian Eno Suggests: Port St. Willow

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Want to know what Brian Eno’s been listening to? Check out Port St. Willow. The duo has entranced the British experimental pop guru with the simple beauty of their debut album "Holiday," released in 2012 – The Deli had the pleasure to book them at CMJ in October. These Brooklynites’ subtle synths and sweeping vocals will take you to an ambient landscape away from the clatter of this urban jungle, in a melancholic world that borders on introversion. Take off your headphones and catch them live at Mercury Lounge on 02.22, it’s worth it. – Lucy Sherman

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Video Premiere: Loveskills’ “Flash in the Dark” + Release Party at Mercury on 02.15

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Loveskills is a perfect marriage of sentimental indie pop and deep booty groove shaking. Because no matter how much stuff singer Richard Spitzer goes through each day, he always finds a way to bounce right back to the dance floor. And good for him. The latest video for ‘Flash in the Dark’ has him making his way to what’s probably the most awesomest club in heaven, all to the stop-start cadence of blank. It’s a perfect distillation of sentiment molding to wax. See Loveskills live at his release party at Mercury Lounge tomorrow night (Friday 02.15). First 50 people in the doors get a free 12". – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

NYC

Show recap: MidCoast Takeover Fundraiser #2 at Czar, 2.1.13

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(All photos by Randy Pace)

The night was gently prodded into motion by the serene sounds of Eyelit. This more Civil-Wars-than-The-Civil-Wars duo skillfully bounced from tender folk ballad to ballad, much to the delight of the already large crowd. Backed by a group of varied instrumentalists, the songs were at their best when allowed to become luxuriant and a little more upbeat, while at the same time not detracting from the lovely simplicity of Dansare and Austin Mark’s constantly harmonized vocals.

 
 
 
 
Jorge Arana Trio took the stage next. Shaming damn near every musician in the building, they tore through a compact and lively set of jazzy math rock (amongst many, many other descriptors I could have used). The band’s sound was playful and neurotic, often shifting from genre to genre with no remorse. Possibly most impressive was the trio’s ability to fuse all of these influences and sounds into a set of songs that was cohesive and impactful.
 
 
 
 
 
Next up was David George and A Crooked Mile. Despite being added to the bill at near the last minute, DG&ACM was able to put together a solid show that thoroughly pleased the full bar. Fronted by the namesake himself (who also has this little side job of playing guitar for John Fogerty), the band brought a brisk set of good old folk-country tinged rock ‘n roll. George’s tender, yet commanding vocals were the perfect counterpart the instrumentation beneath, provided by a concrete band of KC veterans. From the stripped-down acoustic moments to the lush and thumping strains, this band proved to be in full control of their sound.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Latenight Callers finished up the evening with their customary blend of noir pop. Truly a growing and unique force in the KC music scene, they kept the crowd grooving and drooling with a sexy sound all their own. Ms. Julie was on her game this evening (but then again, when is she ever not?), teasing the crowd with overtly sensual vocal stylings. However, the band was plenty able to keep pace with her entertainment value, delivering blow after blow of well-orchestrated build ups and break downs. Even technical difficulties couldn’t stop The Latenight Callers on this night (kudos to the ginger superhero who shall remain nameless for having an amp in his car).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overall, this night showcased the vast versatility of our scene. Countless kudos to all the bands that played and the fine folks at Midwest Music Foundation/MidCoast Takeover for putting together something that we can all be super proud of.
 
(Video by Nate Heavilin)
 
Don’t miss the fourth fundraiser for MidCoast Takeover, this Saturday, February 16, at The Brick. The lineup will include Rev Gusto, Cherokee Rock Rifle, David Hasselhoff on Acid and Not A Planet. Facebook event page here.
 

–-Zach Hodson

 

Zach Hodson is a monster. He once stole a grilled cheese sandwich from a 4-year-old girl at her birthday party. He will only juggle if you pay him. I hear he punched Slimer right in his fat, green face. He knows the secrets to free energy, but refuses to release them until "Saved by the Bell: Fortysomethings" begins production.

He is also in Dolls on Fire and Drew Black & Dirty Electric, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects.
 
NYC

Spirit Family Reunion wins the cover of the Deli NYC’s Spring issue 2013

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Here at The Deli second place is not always for losers. In fact, for the third time in our history, the band that placed second in our Year End Poll for Emerging Artists will get the cover of our Spring edition – the "Best of NYC" issue (check out last year’s issue in pdf here). This is happening because the winners (in this case Foxygen) were already featured on the cover of a previous issue, and a quarterly mag can’t really have the same band on the cover twice. So congrats to Spirit Family Reunion, whose exuberant fiddles and banjos are leading the roots music revival that in the past few years has been threatening NYC’s indie rock supremacy. They are the first straight forward Americana band to win our Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists – signs of the times? 

NYC

Callers lands 3 week residency at Union Pool in March

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It’s the commanding duo of vocalist Sara Lucas and musician Ryan Seaton that gives Callers their driving power-pop sound and provides a forceful backbone to the group. The Brooklyn- Providence foursome released their third full-length album “Reviver” in late 2012, with Seaton’s expertly crafted arrangements filling around Lucas’ earthy, abounding vocals. In honor of the latest release, Callers will be hitting up Union Pool in Williamsburg for a March residency for three consecutive Thursdays, beginning March 7. The stint will include appearances with Here We Go Magic’s Luke Temple and Fang Island, as well as a few promised “surprise guests” in between. – Devon Antonetti

NYC

NYC Bands on the rise: Streets of Laredo

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Streets of Laredo is the kind of folk band Brooklyn was made for. A quartet that grabs what instruments they have around, and howls at the moon collectively over broken hearts, getting stuck in crappy situations, and wondering about how the hours pass by. Singing almost entirely in harmony, this band is every bit a family… they keep traveling back and forth from Brooklyn to their home in New Zealand where they do most of their recordings. Latest record ‘Girlfriend’ captures this familial intimacy, continuing their instrument-sharing traditions and starting some new ones. They won’t be back in NYC until April, but you can check out their schedule here for future shows. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

NYC

Foxygen – now a LA band – wins Best of 2012 Poll for Emerging NYC Artists

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Those bloody brilliant Brooklyn betrayers did it again. Foxygen charmed our jury of NYC "scene experts" and writers and went on to win The Deli’s Best of 2012 Poll for Emerging NYC Artists. Congrats guys!

But, why "betrayers"? I’m glad you asked! Not only have Foxygen moved to LA (of all places) basically the day after they landed on the cover of our CMJ issue (had that happened one day earlier, they would have been ineligible since our publication is reserved for NYC based artists)… but they even dared to sing these words in a track from their latest album: "There’s no need to be an asshole/You’re not in Brooklyn anymore" – Well, not sure where you were when you wrote those lyrics, Sam, but it seems like if you really try your best you can be an ass wherever you are…

Admittedly, though, we have to agree about one thing: during CMJ we had more than one report that the guys were, ahem, (see above picture) – but you know… what could be better than being under 25 and getting the feeling you’re about to become famous? We were all there at some point, right? We shall forgive them, since they are about to realize what it truly means to be an indie musician…

But as far as LosAngelinos inspiring better behavior than New Yorkers – I’m sorry dudes, you got that one mixed up. We’ll let none other than The Reader’s Digest prove you wrong.

What cannot be disputed, though, is this duo’s crazy talent. We sang their praises many times already – well before most of the current media freak out. You can find all of our Foxygen coverage here, including this early interview.

P.S. One of the prizes for the winner of the NYC Year End Poll is the cover of the Spring issue of The Deli, but since Foxygen was already featured on a Deli cover in the past, the Spring cover will be assigned to the band placing second.