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TOP 20 electronic
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Deli Best of Philly 2011 - Fans’ Poll Is Up! + List of Jurors

Getting everything together for this poll is WAY intense, but it is always fun to see who digs what and to learn about new acts that might not have been on our radar (happens every year - we love it, and we hope you do too). We’re nearing the end folks, but we need your help to make it to the finish line! We just uploaded the full list of artists nominated for our Best of Philly Poll 2011 for Emerging Artists. It’s in the right column on this page and also HERE. Some bands in the list were selected through a submission process and some others were picked by our fine jury of local music lovers (list below), who could freely choose 3 bands each in order of preference. (BTW: If you were wondering why some more well-known names are missing from the list, that’s because we felt that they are already getting plenty of love from other national/international publications so we wanted to try and keep the list to acts that just might need the exposure more. Also past Best of Philly Poll Winners were excluded because you already know how much they rock!) Points have already been assigned to each band according to how well they did in the selection process. Now, the readers' and fans' votes will also influence the final chart. Each vote will count!

 
List of Jurors: Grace Ambrose (No Wavelength), Kate Bracaglia (The A.V. Club, XPN2, Phrequency/Philly.com), Abigail Bruley (Freelance Music Writer), Kyle Costill (BITBY), Mikele Edwards (Silk City), Gavin Hecker (PhilaMOCA), Ellei Johndro (Shadowscene), Leah Kauffman (Phrequency/Philly.com), Kevin Kennedy (The Swollen Fox), Josh T. Landow (Y-Not Radio), Brian McTear (Weathervane Music), Jeff Meyers (Kung Fu Necktie), George Miller (JUMP Philly), Brandee Nichols (Philly Mostly Vegan), Chris Perella (The Blockley), Gina Rienzi (The Rotunda), Rachel Russell (Pilam), Mark Schoneveld (YVYNYL), Stephanie Seiple (Tri-State Indie), Elliott Sharp (Philadelphia Weekly, The A.V. Club, Magnet, Prefix, Tiny Mix Tapes), Sara Sherr (Sugar Town, The Philadelphia Inquirer), Cliff Shumaker (Phonographic Arts Philadelphia), Jon Solomon (WPRB), Q.D. Tran (The Deli Magazine), John Vettese (XPN2, The Key, City Paper), Chris Ward (Johnny Brenda’s), Bruce Warren (XPN, Some Velvet Blog, The Key), Emma Zumberge (The World in a Paper Cup)
 
The Deli's Staff
 

Best of 2011 for emerging artists: Results + Schedule

Deli Readers,

Here's summary of the progress of each one of our 11 regional Year End Polls for Emerging Artists. Due to high number of NYC submissions we organized that scene's results by genre.

BEST OF 2011 FOR EMERGING ARTISTS - LATEST NEWS:
01.27.2012 - Austin Submission Results Announced  
01.23.2012 - LOS ANGELES READERS' + FANS' POLL LAUNCHED - HERE
01.24.2012 - NYC FINAL RESULTS ARE IN!!!HERE
01.23.2012 - PORTLAND READERS' + FANS' POLL LAUNCHED - HERE
01.23.2012 - SF BAY AREA READERS' + FANS' POLL LAUNCHED - HERE
01.18.2012 - NASHVILLE READERS' + FANS' POLL LAUNCHED - HERE
01.17.2012 - PHILLY READERS' + FANS' POLL LAUNCHED - HERE
01.17.2012 - CHICAGO READERS' + FANS' POLL LAUNCHED - HERE 
01.17.2012 - Portland OR Submission Results Announced 
01.16.2012 - NEW ENGLAND READERS' + FANS' POLL LAUNCHED - HERE
01.12.2012 - DC AREA READERS' AND FANS' POLL LAUNCHED - VOTE HERE

*** See below for results full list and schedule ***

A big thank you to our sponsors for supporting our poll and providing prizes to the winners!

THE DELI'S YEAR END POLLS RESULTS AND SCHEDULE

AUSTIN
Submission Results + Readers Poll late January - Final Results: February
BOSTON + NEW ENGLAND
Submission Results - Readers Poll - Final Results: Late January
CHICAGO
Submission Results - Readers Poll - Final Results: late January
DC AREA
Submission Results - Readers Poll - Final Results: late January
LOS ANGELES
Submission Results - Readers Poll - Final Results: late January
NASHVILLE
Submission Results - Readers Poll - Final Results: early February
NEW YORK CITY
- Open Submission Results:
Alt Rock/Revival RockAlt Folk - Electronic - Folk/Folk Rock - Hip Hop/World/Other - Indie Pop/Lo-Fi - Indie Rock - Metal - Psych Rock/Dream Pop - Songwriters - SonicBids submissions.
- Readers Poll Results
- Final Results
PHILADELPHIA
Submission Results - Readers Poll - Final Results: late January
PORTLAND
Submission Results - Readers Poll - Final Results: early February
SAN FRANCISCO
Submission Results - Readers Poll - Final Results: late January

The Deli's Staff

 

Weekend Warrior, January 27 - 29

If there is one thing to adore about Ape School, it's Michael Johnson's unpredictability. In one instant, he'll throw you moments of poppy synth-psych fuzz that's made its way through a chunky shoegaze meat grinder. The next, you could be caressed by bittersweet, cloudy ambiance, like on his latest single, "Beneficiary (Don't Blame Me)." And then he may completely surprise you with a dark, rockin' set, like the one he played at the recent Union Transfer show with the War on Drugs. On paper, it may seem frantic, but in sonic art form, it's seriously enjoyable. If nothing else, Ape School is consistent with offering this intensely beautiful haze that's insidiously captivating. For that reason alone, diehards should be more than excited by his second LP, Junior Violence, slated to drop late spring/early summer. Johnson will preview some tunes from the new album Saturday night at Kung Fu Necktie, where he'll play with other adored local acts, Norwegian Arms and Nightlands. Expect Norwegian Arms to offer a twisted mix of freak pop, weird folk and alt-Americana, while Nightlands stretches out an empyrean blanket of polished, dream-time soundscapes. You're welcome. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8 - $10, 21+ (Photo by Q.D. Tran) - Annamarya Scaccia

 
Other things to keep you entertained this weekend…
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Market East Record Release Show w/ Like Wild and The Mendles, SAT Ape School, Nightlands, Norwegian Arms, SUN Burden
 
The Level Room (2102 Market St.) SAT Charmaines Names, SUN Summer Love, Quiet Arcs, Fire in the Hearts and Minds
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Whitewater Press, The Bailey Hounds, Sweet Eureka, SAT First Capital Funk, Sunshine Superman, Chail & The Beige Americans
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Star Syndicate and Atrium Way, SAT Luther and One Win Choice, SUN Rasputin's Secret Police, Old People, Stinky Smelly
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) SAT Lust2Love, Butterscotch Grimm, Jurrassic Shark, SUN G. Calvin Weston
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT Casey Alvarez
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Pig Iron Theatre Company's Annual Benefit Cabaret and Auction, SUN Drake City
 
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, Philadelphia Brothers Reunion, Salsa Shark, SUN Caveman and Tha Itis
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI John Train, SUN Cowmuddy
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI LP Stiles, SUN Stonethrown, Parachuting Apostles, The Lux, Sinners Saints, Mach 22, Modern Colour, Twenty 30, Mother
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Byways and American Schoolyard
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Discount Heroes, Early Ape, This Way Home, Katie Barbato, Barakka, SAT Gray Fox, The Soundouts, The Good Excuses
 
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) FRI Horizon Wireless and Fikus, SAT Coppertonic and Natural Selection
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St. Philadelphia) SAT Bam Pow Vol. 3 Release Party w/Rasputin's Secret Police, Starwood, Northern Liberties
 
The El Bar (1356 N. Front St.) SAT Point Breeze, Bardus, Ratkicker
 
Little Bar (738 S. 8th St.) SAT Playboy Bunny Savage, Thee Sutdowns, Twisted in Graves
 
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) SUN West Philadelphia Orchestra, The Horrible Department, Octomonkey
 
Merriam Theater (250 S. Broad St.) SAT Philly Fest 7

Theatre of Living Arts (334 South St.) FRI June Divided
 
 

New Video: “Art Thoughtz” - Hennessy Youngman

We love how Philly keeps it realz! Below is an episode of “Art Thoughtz” by Hennessy Youngman (a.k.a. Jayson Musson from Plastic Little) in which he shares with the Internet some of his hilarious thoughts about English artist Damien Hirst and Bono. Also check out his recent interview from earlier this week with Huffington Post HERE. Enjoy!

 

Market East Record Release Show at KFN Jan. 27

Vintage Brit-pop. Echoed harmonies. Bittersweet melodies. Stark soundscapes. Hamlet-town beauty. These are the sonic contents that make up Market East’s self-titled debut, released on Philly’s Santa Ana Records. The minimalist pop trio will throw a rouge fete tonight at Kung Fu Necktie in honor of their release with support from locals The Mendles and Like Wild. But before you trek north (or south/east/west depending on, you know, where you are), make sure to pickup Market East’s free debut EP HERE. It will help you enjoy the scenery and sounds that much more. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St, 8pm, $8, 21+ - Annamarya Scaccia

 

Free Download: “Bella Moretti” - Greg Porn

We’re fans of Greg Porn’s work with Money Making Jam Boys and on The Rootsundun. That’s why we’re lovin’ that he’s been stepping out into the forefront in 2012. Take a listen to his new track “Bella Moretti” below (and download it HERE), which was produced by Dameadelphia. BTW: If you are adverse to porn, let go of that Bible and lighten up! No, to each his/her own, but if you actual try googling this jam, you’ll probably find yourself in a sea of NSFW videos and pics. Enjoy (whatever you decide to check out)! Special thanks to Okayplayer for sharing.

 

New Music Video: “Brothers” - The War on Drugs

Below is a dark new music video for The War on Drugs’ track “Brothers” off one of our favorite albums last year Slave Ambient. Do you think that she got away? We guess that it depends if you're an optimist or pessimist. Enjoy!

The War on Drugs - Brothers from Secretly Jag

 

New Music Video: “Two Girls” - Sunny Ali & the Kid

Check out the bromantic new music video from Sunny Ali & the Kid for the track “Two Girls.” The song originally appeared as a ukulele accompanied ditty on their album Kids, but since then, the duo has brought in drums and an electric guitar, and rerecorded at PhilaMOCA with Michael Chadwick (formerly of The Armchairs) a garage rocker. The video was directed/edited by Corey Cohen and shot by Sam Tuthill.

 

Learn More About Philly’s Folklore at KFN Jan. 26

With a name like Folklore, you can expect tales to be weaved from lead songwriter Jimmy Hughes. A veteran of the Athens, Georgia music scene where Hughes performed with acts like Elf Power and Vic Chesnutt, he began writing songs under the moniker in 2005 as an outlet for unfinished fiction of connected stories that he had been working on which led to two conceptual albums, 2007’s The Ghost Of H.W. Beaverman and 2008’s Carpenter’s Falls, that blended a mini-orchestra with different vocalist for each song to tell his tale. Hughes moved to Philadelphia in 2009, and managed to regroup and recruit a new cast of players made up of talented musicians from our beloved local music scene. Tonight at Kung Fu Necktie you’ll get a chance to hear what he’s been up to lately when he is joined by the always hauntingly beautiful On the Water and Savannah’s Dare Dukes. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $5, 21+ - H.M. Kauffman

 

Free Download: “Final Fight” - PO PO

PO PO premiered a new track today called “Final Fight” via Fader. It will appear on the upcoming album Dope Boy Magick, which will be released on February 28 via Mad Decent. The band formerly consisting of a trio of brothers is now a solo project by the lone bro Zeb Malik. You can listen to and download the jam below. (Photo by Emily Rabbit)

PO PO-Final Fight by Mad Decent

 
 
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Which of these acts was your favorite Emerging Philly Artist of 2011?
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Prefix Mag: The Roots: Undun


Work Drugs
Aurora Lies

mp3

A quick listen to Work Drugs’ official debut label full-length Aurora Lies (Bobby Cahn Records) yields sweet, sedate pop music great for, as the band would say, “dancing, boating, yachting, sexting and living.” However, a closer listen reveals a wandering, albeit smoothly executed take on the uncertainty and disconnection that must accompany being briefly marooned at sea - which as the folklore goes is when Thomas Crystal and Benjamin Louisiana had written all of the songs for Aurora Lies. The duo, who have known each other since kindergarten and began making music together in sailing school (more tales from the fanciful crew that are not yet truly verified), seem versed in the art of poring over the sketchy intermingling of open horizons, longing and melancholia without dwelling too much or too heavily. On “Catalina Wine Mixer,” much like other tracks on the album, Tears For Fears-era vocals and MGMT-esque production are blended together and soft-lit, highlighting Work Drugs’ tendency to keep it simple while avoiding saccharine. Peppy synths and drum machinations accompany the lighthearted lyrics on tracks such as “Daddy Bear,” and with lines like “Can’t keep my paws off you/These hives all look the same,” it is evident that the group are not prepared to take themselves too seriously, which is a good thing when it comes to such seductively sexified tunes. The LP’s title track, “Aurora Lies,” slows it down and offers up a somber dose of introspection that seems characteristic of the album on a whole. “Tell me what you want from me/Show me that the best of days/Won’t end up behind me,” and then added to clear up any question of the band’s carefree intent, “Hold on (we were just having fun).”  

 
Work Drugs manages to veil end-of-summer melancholia under a much-needed dose of high-quality dream pop. Their timing could not be more impeccable. While boating and yachting are probably out of season in this neck of the woods, Aurora Lies may prove to be the best soundtrack for winter’s best leisure activities - namely dancing, sexting and living. You can purchase the album HERE. - Leslie Burnette

 

 
listings
JANUARY
01.27Kung Fu Necktie
8pm Market East
01.27Le Grand Fromage
9pm Hannah Schweke
10pm Darkmatter
11pm Abilities
01.27North Star Bar
9pm Whitewater Pass
01.27The Legendary Dobbs
8pm Katie Barbato
8pm Daniel Collins
9pm Michael Ronstadt
9pm The Way Home
10pm Early Ape
11pm The Discount Heroes
01.28 The Blockley Pourhouse
9pm Splintered Sunlight
01.28Le Grand Fromage
1am S.p.e.n.t
12am Foreign Object
01.28The Fire
7pm Luther/grey Area/owc
01.29The Fire
6pm City Hall Collective
FEBRUARY
02.01 The Blockley Pourhouse
11pm Emancipator
02.01Silk City
9pm Dirty Toms
02.02HeadHouse Cafe
8pm Avataria
02.03Johnny Brenda's
11pm Snowmine
02.03M Room
9pm The Gut Strings
02.03The Legendary Dobbs
9pm James Suit
02.04PhilaMOCA
9pm Josiah Wise Godbodi
10pm Blayer&rockers Galore
11pm Kuf Knotz
12pm The Philadelphia Slick
02.04The Fire
9pm Saturday Astrology
02.08The Grape Room
11pm Dawns Red
02.09 The Blockley Pourhouse
10pm Tab Benoit
02.09Grape Room
8pm Glim Dropper
02.09Johnny Brenda's
8pm Howlin Rain
02.10MilkBoy
8pm Vintage Kicks
02.10The Grape Room
11pm Kalob Griffin Band
02.11Electric Factory
8pm Work Drugs
02.11First Unitarian Church (Side Chapel)
8pm The Water
8pm Endor Endor
8pm Northern Valentine
02.11The Grape Room
8pm Boog
02.17Connie's Ric Rac
8pm Calico Fields
02.17The Grape Room
8pm Mary Jennings
02.17Underground Arts
9pm Tulie
10pm Faux Slang
11pm Lightninging
02.18 The Blockley Pourhouse
9pm Otis Day & The Knights
02.23Kung Fu Necktie
8pm Cranes Are Flying
9pm Pearl And The Beard
02.23LEGENDARY DOBBS
10pm Silverqueen
02.24Grape Room
9pm Two Lights
02.25Grape Room
9pm The Gut Strings
02.25Kung Fu Necktie
10pm Little Big League
02.25The Grape Room
11pm The Beta Phase
11pm Phantasm
02.25The Level Room
10pm Blayer&rockers Galore
12pm Faux Slang
02.28North Star Bar
8pm Glim Dropper
02.29The Grape Room
9pm Killshot
MARCH
03.01The Grape Room
10pm El Malito
11pm Blayer Pointdujour
03.02The Grape Room
9pm Sunshine Superman
03.07The Grape Room
9pm Your Ghost
03.08The Grape Room
8pm Nick Young
9pm Tom Christopher
03.09The Grape Room
8pm Justin Levinson
03.10The Grape Room
9pm Camp Dracula
10pm Winston's Dog
03.15The Grape Room
9pm Dot Square
10pm The Folkadelics
03.16LEGENDARY DOBBS
8pm The J. Cooper Band
03.17Johnny Brenda's
8pm Shorty Boy-boy
03.17MilkBoy
9pm New Motels
03.17The Grape Room
10pm The Fractals
11pm Dynagroove
03.24The Grape Room
9pm Big Fat Marker
03.29The Grape Room
10pm Theory Of Noise
APRIL
04.06The Grape Room
8pm Joe Nicastro
9pm Frank Viele
10pm Viv Peyrat
04.07The Grape Room
9pm Bruce Torres
04.14The Grape Room
8pm Paige Allbritton
11pm Tj Mcglinchey
04.21The Grape Room
9pm Gavilan
10pm The Byways
04.26The Grape Room
9pm Waylon Speed