New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Deli Readers,
The Deli’s Best of 2012 Poll for emerging Nashville artists is now over – see the readers’ poll results here. We’ll soon announce the winners of the readers’ poll and the results of the overall poll, which includes the votes of our scene expert jurors and determines the winner of The Deli’s Best Emerging Artist of the Year
The Deli’s Staff
Deli Readers,
The Deli’s Best of 2012 Poll for Emerging NYC Artists is finally over and we are currently in data-churning mode. Thanks to all the bands and the fans who voted for them! Stay tuned for the results.
The Deli SF Staff
(by Natan Press) Jan. 12, Pleasure Curses played their first gig at the Velvet Lounge to a packed room. The crowd head-bobbed, foot-tapped and drunken-jiggled through the entire set by the electro-punk duo of Jahn Teetsov and Evan Grice. Pleasure Curses is an example of the serendipitous circumstances that surround so many successful acts.
The Virginia natives first met in music camp as children, and reconnected after Jahn returned from college in Manchester, England (Evan is still attending JMU), absorbing the Madchester sound while playing in local bands. The young Pleasure Curses do the older Brits justice, mimicking the Northern sounds of the decade before they were born with the control and precision of true admirers. Harnessing the powers of a Korg, a Kaoss padd and the Abelton music sequencer, Pleasure Curses self-recorded their first EP Stripes.
For the show, Evan deftly handled the devices while playing his bass. Jahn’s voice channels Bernard Sumner, though at this point he’s a bit uncomfortable playing guitar while singing in a live setting. Despite this confession, Jahn’s an able frontman, speaking comfortably to the crowd, and singing as if well practiced. One assumes it won’t take long for him to add the guitar to his performance. Pleasure Curses is also looking for a drummer, though they’re legitimately worried that a third member could disturb their already effective chemistry. If the crowd at their first show is any judge, they don’t need to change a thing, and if they do want to increase their stage presence, they’ll have no difficulty finding willing participants.
Deli Readers,
The Deli Kansas City’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. Congrats to Dollar Fox (pictured) for being The Deli Readers’ Best Kansas City Artist of 2012.
Kudos also to Gentleman Savage and We Are Voices who placed in 2nd and 3rd position. The Reader’s Poll full results are here, check out the top 10 below:
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We’ll soon publish the final overall composite chart, which will also include the point nominees accumulated from the jurors and Deli writers’ votes, and will crown The Deli’s Best Emerging Kansas City Artist of 2012.
Stay tuned!
The Deli’s Staff
Sinkane is the creative force behind many exciting releases by Brooklyn bands that are flirting with Afrobeat. If you listen to Yeasayer at all, chances are you’ve already heard Ahmed Gallab’s distinct vocal and drumming feel. The Sudanese export (who now makes his home in New York) nods to many of the high life flavors of his past, while stretching his muse to the future by collaborating with many of our local trendsetters. From Twin Shadow to James Murphy, Sinkane doesn’t just have his finger on the pulse; he is the man behind much of Brooklyn’s Ivory Coast obsessions. Now, he’s setting out on his own journey, and has carried his international roots over to his exciting sophomore album "Mars". – Read Mike Levine’s interview with Ahmed here. See him DJ at Ace Hotel on Friday in January.
This song was added to our curated Soundcloud playlist of the best tracks by emerging NYC artists here – check it out!.
Even though NYC is perceived as the US home of the indie rock and DIY scenes, folk music has a strong tradition and presence in the city – although admittedly the last folk revival in the Big Apple happened back in the 60s. After the indie "fireworks" of the early aughts, genres related to traditional American music seem to be back in vogue big time, and this is mostly thanks to bands who are instilling new life into a genre that it’s only traditional if you want it to be. Sister and brother band St. Claire is an up and coming Brooklyn based duo that – above all – writes great, soothingly melancholic folk songs. Mike Levine asked them a few questions here. Don’t miss their live show at Pianos on 01.24.
As a music journalist of nearly eight years, it has become rather noticeably difficult to stumble across new “firsts.” There comes a point where everything to be seen has been witnessed and everything to be discovered has been found. At times music begins to just feel played out—the bucket lists slowly start to lean towards being more completed than unchecked and everything becomes rather redundant. Then just when I stop looking, someone throws a tuba into the mix and shifts my perspective of everything.
| After stints drumming for both The Afternoons and Jenny Carr and the Waiting List in the Lawrence/Kansas City music scene, Joshua Hammond found his footing as a music journalist, launching the national publication Popwreckoning. After running the show as Editor in Chief for 6 years, Hammond stepped away from the reigns to freelance for other publications like Under The Gun Review and High Voltage Magazine. This shift allowed the adequate amount of time for him to write passionately, allow the Kansas City Royals to break his heart on a daily basis and spoon his cats just enough that they don’t shred his vinyl. |
Deli Readers,
The Deli Chicago’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. Congrats to Audiences (pictured) for being The Deli’s Readers Best Chicago Artist of 2012 (see them live at House of Blues on February 1st!).
Kudos also to Glittermouse and Cassettes on Tape who placed in 2nd and 3rd position, here’s the top 10 chart:
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Chicago Reader’s Poll Full Results Here.
We’ll soon publish the final overall composite chart, which will include the point nominees accumulated from the jurors and Deli writers’ votes, and will crown The Deli’s Best Emerging Chicago Artist of 2012.
Stay tuned!
The Deli’s Staff
Deli Readers,
In our latest NYC issue (#33, out on January 10), Brian Chidester’s article about the electric scene in Brooklyn was accidentally (and unfortunately) amputated of a paragraph during production – we’d like to apologize to Brian and to you all, and redirect you to an amended pdf of the entire issue, or to the online version of that same article.
The Deli’s Staff
1939 Ensemble’s intricate compositions and unique arrangement have brought them the most nominations from our local jurors and in doing so awarded them the title of The Deli Portland’s Best Emerging Artist of 2012. Their fluid melodies, dynamic percussion and electronic ambiance entranced listeners over the course of the past year with hypnotic performances and the release of Howl and Bite. The debut showcases their distinct style and experimental drive which is seen through volatile vibraphone leads, blistering drum beats and dissonant background noise. The final results of the poll are posted below. Thanks to everyone involved with the voting process and congratulations to 1939 Ensemble. I hope that 2013 is a paramount year for you. – Benjamin Toledo
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Who says you can’t insert clever ideas into pop music? Like Ms Mr and Passion Pit before them, the members of Beecher’s Fault are finding a place in pop music for experimental ideas to exist, and find ways to be clever at the same time. It’s immediately evident listening to ‘Misbehavior’ how duo Ben Taylor and Ken Lamken have one foot in pearly pop, while including sonic somersaults to keep your head twirling while your feet are moving. There’s more to Beecher’s Fault than you’ll see from first glance. Check them out when they play Fontana in the LES this Thursday January 24 at 8pm. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
MaG is doing his thing. He’s made great strides since “Retail.” His style recalls a young Talib Kweli, with a bit more intelligibility. His nonchalance is endearing; it’s like the microphone is his best friend and he’s confiding his innermost thoughts. He’s shooting the shit too, and dreaming, posturing a bit, but not in an offensive way. He wants to have coffee with you, walk down the street with you and point out his favorite landmarks. He’s got secrets, and if you listen close enough, you’ll have them. In a culture hampered by its own exclusivity, MaG is defining a new form of “Freedom.” -=bMC
