Dear Deli Philly Readers,

I’m a procrastinator by nature, and this is certainly a post that I’ve been procrastinating to write. When I first became involved with the Philly music community, I started with booking shows at various spaces and for local area acts. I remember coming out to a show in Brooklyn to support one of the local bands that I was helping out, and I was really interested in figuring out how I could connect similar-minded, up-and-coming NYC acts with the lesser known yet talented Philly artists that I was assisting. During that time, if you had heard of a touring act coming to your town, they were usually already a little too popular to really want to trade shows with any acts that they didn’t know personally and/or probably had never heard of. That was when I just happened to come across a print issue of the NYC Deli Magazine in a coffee shop. (I still probably have that copy somewhere because I’m a borderline hoarder.) It was exactly what I was looking for – a publication that was dedicated to giving exposure to interesting-sounding, indie/DIY acts that were still flying under the radar of the larger music blogs and news organizations.

I was instantly a fan of what The Deli was doing, so when I read that they were opening a Philadelphia branch, I was psyched to get involved. I have always been a bit of a music geek who spent way too much of his time listening to and discovering new music to make mixtapes, burn CD mixes, and create playlists for my friends. The Deli Philly just felt like a natural extension of what I had been doing most of my life. However, when I submitted my first post, I never imagined that I would be writing my final one over a decade later, which will unfortunately also be The Deli Philly’s last as well.

Running the Philadelphia site and helping to edit the NYC print magazine have truly been a joy to me and a labor of love, but as some of you may or may not know, I recently became a father, and I’ve been simply finding myself lately more interested in jamming on a toy cat synthesizer with my daughter and deejaying private dance parties for her than practically anything else in the world. So deciding to move on from what has been such an essential part of my life for over the last ten years or so was definitely a difficult decision, but it also became a much easier one. It just felt right.

I’d like to take this time to thank all those who have supported us over the years and those who have inspired us with your music, words, photos/graphics, and always much-appreciated kindness. Of course, extra special thanks go out to Deli Editor-in-Chief Paolo De Gregorio for his passion and genuine good nature, Michael Colavita, whom The Deli Philly could have never survived without for the last few years, Tedd Hazard for his creativity and humor, and all the wonderful writers and photographers who have contributed to The Deli Philly site. It’s been an honor to share your words and art. And finally, for those who might still be interested in what I’ve been listening to of late, you will soon be able to find interviews with some of my favorite musicians over at Delicious Audio. (That is after I take a much-needed vacation.)

Much Love to All,

Q.D. Tran

Sims Hardin (Dark Web, JUICE, Brain Clouds, Throbbing Chakra) has a new musical outlet called MESH, and recently shared a trio of demos. Lo-fi, heady, garage-punk vibes permeate throughout the recordings, with its intimacy hinting at a slacker-rock mentality. "Work sucks. People suck. Life sucks. Fuck it – I’m just gonna jam on this guitar." MESH is slated to perform at Free Candy on Thursday, October 10, as part of a lineup that also includes Soft Crime (the latest project from Spacin’s Jason Killinger), Thigh Master, and Michael Beach.

Illusion is the debut release from Ash Cheshire. The sparseness of instrumentation provides a singular focus on its mesmerizing vocals and harmonies, like a candle in a minimally lit room. One can easily become transfixed. It’s a mysteriously memorable force.

Dedicated to Spenser Spirit Hogans, Queen Jesus recently shared a new album, titled Glass Hat, which is available on cassette via Stereophonodon Records. Coasting along in a melodic jangle, with an underlying, unpredictable edge, the record seeps into one’s system in a peaceful, low-key yet well-honed manner. Sink into the shadows of the harmonious haze.

The quartet of Wet Brian recently dropped its debut EP Criterion. An ominous, mercurial environment develops a haunting tension. Eerie vocals pair with a steady, instrumental drive, chipping away at your psyche. One uneasily anticipates the other shoe dropping. 

Chris Schackerman has drummed for such notable acts as Literature, Mercury Girls, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, but he “was never satisfied enough” with his own recorded demos to release them out into the world. For Chelsea Brennan, making music was never “really a large part” of her life. The two came together a few years back to create a project that was mostly just for fun; however, with their latest collaborative effort, Arch Of Love, it became apparent to the duo that they wanted making music to “become a larger part” of their daily lives. Schackerman and Brennan have already released a few singles via Richmond, VA’s 6131 Records, and are currently working on their first full-length album. You can take a listen to Arch Of Love’s new track, “Reintroduction,” below, and learn more about our most recent Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner HERE.

House of Sugar (Domino) is the latest LP from Alexander Giannascoli, who is better known as (Sandy) Alex G. Complex, cohesive sonic textures make for a compelling yet comforting collection of songs. One becomes intimately entangled in the web of warped warmth. It’s another must-have release from the prolific Philly songwriter. Union Transfer will be playing host to (Sandy) Alex G on Saturday, November 30, where he’ll also be joined by Corey Flood and Tomberlin. (Photo by Tonje Thileson)

Krust Toons: "Billy Joel" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.

A menacing psych/hard-rock heaviness engulfs on Parallel Hell, the latest LP from Northern Liberties. Spirited vocals and a relentless rhythm section create a consuming, contagious sound. It’s been over a decade and a half that Renaissance man Justin Duerr has been releasing material via this creative outlet. Duerr continues to demonstrate how he’s an unflinching, uncompromising musical force of nature in the Philly underground.

Simple Pleasures, the debut EP from Sheena, Anika and Augusta, is out now via Asian Man Records. The trio is kicking off a run of dates with a matinee show this Saturday at Ortlieb’s. Sparse, folk instrumentation pairs with succinct, sincere songwriting, creating memorable imagery. Each song provides a glimpse into the artists’ intimate experiences. Weaving their vocals into a crackling fire of harmonies as the acoustic guitar and strings simultaneously knit elegant, sonic patterns, these recordings provide perspective, while evaluating situations in both the past and present. Hemming, The Goodbye Party, and Jordyn Occhipinti, as well as poetry from Sean Kearney, will also be onhand to support this Home Outgrown Presents afternoon. – Michael Colavita

More places to be this weekend…

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Dreamswell, Washy, SAT Sheena, Anika, & Augusta, Hemming, The Goodbye Party, Jordyn Occhipinti/Ali Awan, Britt & the Breaker Boys, SUN Nowhere

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Weekender, Strange Parts, SAT Chris Forsyth, Long Hots, SUN Boosegumps, Kelsey Cork & The Swigs

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT The Red Masque/Fame Lust, SUN DJ Taybanga, DJ Next

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Mutlu (Album Release), Katie Barbato

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Voodoo Death Cult, Let’s Disinfect, SAT Menace Of The Canvas (CD Release), Adventure Lost, SUN Bad Sleeper, Tim From Oz, The Smoking Lightbulb

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Taylor Swift Party presented by Riot Nerd

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI The Rectors

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Sylo, Astro 8000, SAT DJ Deejay

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Kirby Sybert, House Plant, SAT Already Late, The Barker Brothers, SUN Elison Jackson (Solo)

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT The Piano Has Been Drinking: Seymour and The Songs of Tom Waits, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Earth Radio, Lemon Shark, Throw Me Five, SUN Freddy Brewer

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI  The Stone Eye, Endless Taile, SAT Paths 2 Glory, Popular Creeps, Whiskey Effect

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Embodied By Ghosts, SAT DJ Marco

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) SAT DJ Lean Wit It, SUN Menace Cartel

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) SAT The Jumping Juvies (EP Release), Uncle Dan, The Robinsons, Primatives

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Big Mind, Crucial, Solomonic Sound System, SAT Octave Cat, Trap Rabbit, SUN The Underwater Sounds ( Play “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill)

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) SAT The Mary Veils, Family Vacation, Underwing, SUN Witch Bomb, Doused, Kerin Maguire

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Sunset Hollow, Fever Dreams, L.M.I.

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Straw Hats, Deep Tissue, SAT Twin Beds, Wallace, Sunchoke, SUN Big Nothing, Earth Telephone

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI Siren Songs, SUN Siren Songs/Siren Songs

Anthorna Gallery (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Goodnight/Goodluck, Lylyly, A Day Without Love, SUN Empty Country, Gray Witch, Florry

Haus of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Under 95, Common Icon, Famous & Fallen

Friendship’s forthcoming album, Dreamin’, is scheduled to arrive on November 8 via Ordinal Records. The band recently shared its lead single “Clairvoyant”. Dan Wriggins’s vocals earnestly illuminate a personal narrative that is told within the parameters of a close relationship. Ambient, country-folk instrumentation enriches the setting as the song hovers between a sustained sadness amid intimate warmth.