The Indie Pop category was definitely stacked this year, and after compiling the jurors’, readers’/fans’ and writers’ votes, congratulations go out to Louie Louie! The stylish garage-pop sisterhood has been working hard and steadily building on their artistic vision, causing many in the Philly music community to take noticed. Led by Emily Robb (Lantern, Myrrias) on guitar/vox and joined by Jenna Robb on drums/vox, Emily Eichelberger on bass/vox, and Leslie Burnette on organ/vox, the band harkens back to the golden age of girl groups that produced legendary acts like The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las; however, the ladies put their own surf-psych spin on the classic sound. Louie Louie just celebrated the release of its full-length album, Friend Of A Stranger (Born Losers Records), with a packed performance this past Friday at PhilaMOCA, and will be spending the rest of the month into March on the road in support of their first LP. 

We are also happy to see and share that runner-up honors go out to Mercury Girls, which features members of Literature, Pet Milk, and Little Big League. They released their debut 7" last year via highly respected indie-pop label Slumberland. And Queen Jeans, who placed third overall in our poll last year, continue to be on the minds of our voters with their recent honorable mention performance. Check out the latest releases from all these fine bands below!

With bubbly synth-pop coasting in a steady calm matriculation, Fabergégé’s self-titled debut album never stops. Featuring Thom Lessner (Sweatheart), Dave Pap, Kelly Karavalis, and Pat Finnerty, the band finds a solid, mid-tempo pace, cruising along in consistent, low-pressure circumstances. It’s a joyously, fun collection, offering lyrical tongue-twisters that bounce with a bright, pop hue. Hopefully it will help to push you through any midweek lulls.

The new single release, "CoastGhost2Coast"/"Spooksville, USA," from Haunted Homes, stirs up the strange. The former eerily traverses desolate country terrain as one becomes conscious of the sounds that creep in the shadows. The latter bristles in a pleasant steady backend-anchored stroll, despite its lyrical nod to temporary existence. The quintet has a knack for rattling one’s thoughts in a memorable "cowboy wandering the cosmos" manner. You can catch them at Ortlieb’s on Friday, February 24 with Perfeckt Touch, Davey and the Chains, and Power Mystery.

John Ryan, a.k.a. Petunia, shells out energetic, heartfelt songs on his new EP Funny Talk. Focusing in on personal anecdotes with universal implications, the songs ache and arch in a smooth yet sincere manner. Whether touching on fragments of memories or analyzing the present circumstance, the tracks move in unified melody with an alt-country surrounding that spikes when called upon. Imploring a rather immediate familiarity, it echoes points within one’s past without becoming predictable. Petunia is slated to perform on Tuesday, March 7 at Boot & Saddle that will also includes Tim Darcy (of Ought) and Molly Burch. (Photo by Amanda Wagner)

Journey with Aphra into the ether with her new track "Honey," which Rebecca Waychunas premiered yesterday in her interview for Stereogum‘s Artist To Watch. It’s the latest single from her forthcoming EP Sadness Is A Gesture, due out digitally on February 28 and on vinyl in April via Inherent Sounds. Waychuna shared, "Tragedy and trauma are a huge part of my past. People need to know that about me before they get close to me." The album is "definitely about mourning" as she uses it partly to work through past difficult relationships. "In order to process trauma in your past, you have to see it, you have to look at it, you have to talk about it. Whether it’s with a therapist or through art or with just a friend." You can share in her healing process when Aphra performs at her record release show on Wednesday, March 8 at The Barbary with Brooklyn’s The Undercover Dream Lovers.

The Deli Philly’s Yearly Readers’/Fans’ Poll for the Indie Pop category just concluded last night. Thanks to all who casted their vote in support of their favorite emerging artists.

Congrats to singer-songwriter Deer Scout, a.k.a. Dena Miller! Emerging on the Philly music scene last spring with her EP Customs, Miller’s endearing, child-like vocals stand in the forefront as the delicate plucks and strums of her acoustic guitar provide a comfortable backdrop. Sorting through life’s struggles, these relatable reflections give meaningful insight into the mind and heart of the artist, building a bridge between her and each listener. And we can all use more bridges than walls these days.

Krust Toons: "That’s Something" 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.

Tremellow (a.k.a. Keith Abrams of Pine Barons) and Haggert Mctaggert (a.k.a. Braden Lawrence of The Districts) have issued a split release, Doom Paste, whose proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood. “Plastic Impulse” unwinds with familiar acoustic strumming, before cruising in a melodic but "out there" groove in an MGMT pop-psych manner, while “Franny” propels forward in on space-age, pulsating, dance beat with modulating vocals. Both artists will be performing at an ACLU benefit this Sunday, February 19 at Ortlieb’s as part of a bill that also includes Straw Hats, Pine Barons, and Mumblr. Keep up the generosity, Philly!

Fall languidly into the void of Dulls‘ new single, “New Dream,” before abruptly being snatched away in the turbulent waves of fuzzed-out guitar. The recording from Philly dream-pop/shoegaze four-piece reveals a giant leap forward in production from the group’s self-titled debut EP. Recorded and mixed by John Ceparano (of The Stargazer Lilies), it’s the latest off the band’s forthcoming album, Moon Violet, due out February 24. Dulls are also set to open for No Joy that same evening at Kung Fu Necktie. (Photo by Caitlin Vivian)

East, the new EP from Ivy Sole, hits deep. In moments, that punch is a bass-thumping, powerfully poetic pronouncement. It swims in delicate jazz/soul-orchestrated instrumentation, injecting a full spectrum of samples that shift the perspective in an organic manner. The collection thrives in Ivy Sole’s confident, unhesitating, free-flowing execution, splicing singing and spoken word into heartfelt movements. The Penn alum will be speaking on campus next Friday, February 17 at Platt Student Performing Arts House, where she’ll be leading a discussion about the recording industry from her experiences.

The winter resuming its chilling grip could be one reason (among many) to escape to a parallel tropic-climated galaxy. Spaceship Aloha, a.k.a. Man Man‘s Christopher "Pow Pow" Powell, has the temporary remedy. “Voyager” transmits from an unexplored domain, gliding in the sandy, synth-ladened beach with futuristic blips and the crisp crack of beat-anchoring percussion. Those fresh, space-age tones will transport you – at least to a daydreaming interim.