Homestown area gal and Chainsmokers collaborator Rozes, a.k.a. Elizabeth Mencel, is coming to The Foundry next Thursday, March 9! To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Say You’ll Never Let Me Go". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

If you’re searching for some slinky, soulful funk to get you hyped for this weekend, Elegant Animals is ready to take you there. Slip into seductive groove of “High Gear,” which can be found on the freshly released Warm Blood Pt. 1. We’re thinking The Purple One was on his mine for this one. Really making us feel good this morning!

We are nearing the end of this year’s Deli Philly Best Emerging Artists Poll. After compiling the jurors’, readers’/fans’ and writers’ votes for the Alt Rock category, congrats go out to Curtis Cooper! The Philly songwriter caught our attention towards the end of 2015, and then truly emerged on the local music scene last year with the release of his debut Laughing In Line. The album begins in a more radio-friendly manner, but as you delve deeper into the cuts, it becomes apparent that gifted artist has a much more diverse musical palette that we predict will only expand as time goes on. BTW: We absolutely flipped over the video of his powerful performance of the previously unreleased single "2016," which you can view below.  

And coming in a very close race for second and third are the good time boys of Mumblr and the pot-lovin’, rockin’ ladies of Marge. We’ll also be back very soon with our final Readers’/Fans’ Poll for the categories of Hip Hop/Funk/Electronica, so stay tuned! 

The barrage of bashing, contagious rhythms begins as soon as you press play for No Good, the new album from All Bad, comprised of Cat Park (Amanda X, Eight), Evan Bernard (The Superweaks, ex-Dangerous Ponies) and Jarret Nathan (PEARS, ex-Ghost Light). Available on cassette via Get Better Records, the quick-hitting collection of songs cultivates a playful, power-pop set of dynamics, instantly adhering to your hears. The album speeds past in a familiar flash, so go ahead and spin it a few times.

21 year-old Kerin Maguire sticks to a folk frame of simplicity on her single “Have You Ever”. Featured on her forthcoming debut album Self-Titled, the song unfolds as a reminder of pleasures and pitfalls of personal relationships. Remembering the low moments, the narrative circles back to a hopeful outlook despite the momentary melancholy. Vocally, she maintains a level albeit confessional tone, which peaks at key ending points in exclamatory fashion. Maguire is slated to perform at The Barbary on Thursday, March 23, along with Dirty Purple, Beard, and The Year End.

Slithering through dimly lit passageways, “Urgency,” found on the self-titled debut from dark-pop collective She Policeman, creates an anticipatory sense of unease. Those creeping-beyond-the-shadows vibes are further accentuated by the spectrum-morphing, sensory overload of its video’s colorful, shape-shifting display. Catch the record release and debut performance from She Policeman this Friday, March 3 at Boot & Saddle with Purples and Langor.

She Policeman | ‘Urgency’ from She Policeman

Originally featured on the Too Far Gone Records compilation Three Years, “Teeth (alt.)” by cllctyrslf has been released as a single. The alternate take rushes instrumentally with jagged edges in opposition to the largely acoustic original version. The emotive momentum of the lingering post-breakup narrative surges with a sweet sting. The band is part of an upcoming billing at The Sound Hole on Thursday, March 16 that also includes Ridgewood, Welman, We Have Ghosts, and Sadhound.

We just witnessed another sprint to the end of our Yearly Readers’/Fans’ Poll for the category of Alt Rock. Thank you to all who participated and voted for this round of talented nominees.

Congrats go out to the quartet of PHNTMS! Led by the powerful, soulful lead vocals of Alyssa Gambino with Adam Jessamine on guitar, Mikal Smith on bass, and Beth Murphy on drums, the group creates a sound meant to be heard from larger stages. Their fans had a taste of what that would sound like with PHNTMS ending 2016 on a high note, gracing the stage of Union Transfer. The band is currently in the studio with producer Mike Watts (The Dear Hunter, Glassjaw), working on its debut full-length album. Keep a look out for some new material from the gang coming in the near future!

Rebecca Waychunas, a.k.a. Aphra, strings out stirring, sensitive songs, developed through personal/familial struggles. Her latest release, Sadness is a Gesture (Inherent Sounds), exhibits an unimpeded array of vocally-anchored, heart-rendering exposures. These songs maintain an intimate, aching proximity, aided instrumentally by scene-sketching electronics, molding the many moods. Waychunas finds a way to create elegantly raw music that shifts the focus onto the real and gritty darkness of addiction. She’s set to perform on Wednesday, March 8 at The Barbary to celebrate its release, with a lineup that includes Blood Sound and The Undercover Dream Lovers.

Proceeds from “If You Harden On The Inside,” the new single from Hezekiah Jones, will benefit the Women’s Law Project. Paced by the bump of bass and snap of snare, the song delicately weaves, led by sunny stretches that counter the potential commentary of lines like the power play/greed of “What’s the point of having all the world? When your hands are so small” or the call to kindness of “If you harden on the inside, you’ll be easy to break.” While it may seem simple to get swept up in the recent reign of negativity, “If You Harden On The Inside,” with its inviting harmony and delicate sway, reminds us that the power of positivity remains.

The acoustic quartet of Kaytronalia that includes Rebecca Zimmerman, Deb Gilmore (Busy Bee), Sage Forte, and Syd Schollenberger recently released a new song/video. “Talk to Me” simmers in a delicate, innately cohesive groove as the semi-hesitating vocals stick, while the candid/scenic footage provides unassuming imagery. It’s a simple, tightly woven track that sweeps one into the band’s slow-burning honesty.