Honestly, I’ve been so busy that I really haven’t thought about making an end of the year list until I recently received a few inquiries about what would make mine. So with a little free time to reflect this weekend, I started thinking about the local albums that kept me coming back for more in 2011. It’s been a rad year for Philly indie music so I’ve been beating myself up trying to narrow it down to 10. But I’m over this sadomasochistic act. I give up. After all, it is my list, right? Why can’t it be 15? Yes, it could be even more than that, but I need to get some rest and stop obsessing. You can take a look at my list of favorite local albums in 2011 and listen to some of the tracks that have helped them stand out in my mind HERE. If you like what you hear, make sure to grab a copy or revisit it if its somewhere in your collection. I know. There are some that you think I missed or overlooked. Feel free to also share your faves from this year that you don’t see. Enjoy!

We’re not very religious on this end at The Deli. But we did want to take this opportunity to wish Happy Holidaze to all our beloved readers and supporters – YOU ROCK! We hope that everyone has a great time while Philly slows down for a much-needed break. We’ll still be posting here and there this week, but we’d also like to take this opportunity to chill a bit. However, we did want to share with you one of our favorite childhood jams (if not THE favorite). The footage was taken by our pals at BITBY from The Extraordinaires’ Holiday Revue this year. Much love and cheers!

Tonight will be a homecoming of sorts for the electro duo RYAT, who have been spending lots of time touring and on the left coast (hanging with Flying Lotus) over the past year. The project began as a solo effort for enigmatic multi-instrumentalist and front woman Christina McGeehan (a.k.a. Ryat). She joined forces with another electronic cohort Tim Conley (whose solo project Mast has been tacked on to open the evening) in 2009 and they have been making dense, corporeal electronic suits since. Their run includes last year’s album Avant Gold that found them a bunch of buzz and some notable fans. Also performing on the bill is Buffalo Stance. This quirk-pop project from Man Man’s Jamey Robinson brings a sweeter, less primal version of his bandmate’s signature oddball sensibilities with simplistic catchy grooves. Further reason to come to this show is the impressive work of South Philly producer/mc/multi-instrumentalist Lushlife (a.k.a Rajesh Haldar). His production style fits right in with refreshing newcomers like Balam Acab and Clams Casino, but he also creates pretty radio-friendly cuts as well. He’ll most likely be one of those people that you want to see at KFN just so five years down the line you can say that you did. There is not much going on in the city this weekend, but even if there was, this would be at the top of our list so count yourself lucky and get out to this show! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Adam G.

Local psych rockers Gondola are bringing their explosive brand of blues rock to Johnny Brenda’s tonight. The power trio’s sound is a pummeling mix of driving drums, heavy basslines, and deafening guitar riffs reminiscent of sludgy 70s Black Sabbath metal. Rounding out the evening’s bill are fellow heavy psych rockers Serpent Throne and Baltimore’s The Pilgrim. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $8, 8 pm, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe

Joe Reno (Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang, Flamingo) and his crew of arsonists Terry Foley, Will Wright, and Eric Kohlhofer will be conspiring to burn down MilkBoy Philly under their new moniker En Fuego (formerly El Fuego) for the first time tonight. The band had decided to change their name to avoid confusion with the local burrito franchise. Well, the incendiary rock outfit will be celebrating the release of their self-titled debut this evening in Center City. They’ll be joined by blues rockin’ bros Penrose, who are getting ready to record a new album with Bill Moriarty (Dr. Dog, Man Man, Drink Up Buttercup, etc.) in 2012, and reggae lovin’ Sonni Shine & The Underwater Sounds. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9pm, $8 – $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill

We reported about our phone conversation with Phonographic Arts’ Pat Troxell yesterday regarding the recent craziness that went down with Little Bar. Well, below is the collective’s official statement that was posted to their Tumblr page. Please read. Spanx.

Machine Gun Joe will be bringing their wintry mix of alt-country/Americana sounds to The Fire tonight. The band recently released an album of live recordings (from April 21, 2007 in Ithaca, NY) last month entitled Feels Like Shit. The EP was the result of being a school project of their buddy. You can download the album for free HERE, or just swing on by Girard Ave. this evening to hear Machine Gun Joe in the flesh where they’ll be sharing a bill with Polar Ice Caps, The Beggar’s Son, and Strawman. The Fire, 412 Girard Ave., 9pm, $7, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Chiddy Bang’s Xaphoon Jones (a.k.a. Noah Beresin) dropped a new track that you can download below called “Possessed by the Devil” last night remixing the jam “Possessed” by Elbee Thrie (of Phony Ppl). Jones explains, “The rapping is from Elbee Thrie’s ‘Creative Zone’ and the voices are me singing into the mic on my MacBook and then re sampling it 2x faster.” He’ll be performing next in Philly on December 29 at Union Transfer opening for Diplo while in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume provided by R5. If you are interested in seeing this happen, then grab your tix HERE soon because last week Diplo did tweet, “O gosh my philly show is gonna sell out presale at union transfer..Plz don’t text my 215 number askin for guestlist” so you’ve been warned.

Possessed By The Devil (Xaphoon Jones’ Version) by Xaphoon Jones