Siegmund Lubin was an immigrant optician, and in 1897, he began experimenting with a new photographic technology called Life Motion Pictures. With a crude camera that he built, Lubin outraged his neighbors by filming circus, vaudeville and burlesque acts in his backyard on North 15th Street. He went on to create one of the world’s largest and most successful film production, distribution and exhibition enterprises, making Philly a major hub for film production in the first decade of the twentieth century. Tonight’s Cinedelphia Film Festival special event celebrates Siegmund Lubin’s birthday with his biographer Joseph P. Eckhardt, who will be giving a presentation on the local film pioneer’s career with 16mm films projected by Secret Cinema, and live original scores from local musicians Norwegian Arms’ Keith Birthday (a.k.a. Brendan Mulvihill), Birdie Busch/Carl Cheeseman, Jesse Kudler (Philadelphia Sound Arms), and Monique Canniere (Divine Hand Ensemble). It will surely be a rare journey into Philadelphia’s past alongside artists helping to build the future of our local music community. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 7pm, $10, All Ages (Keith Birthday Photo by Brandee Nichols; Birdie Busch/Carl Cheeseman Photo by George Miller III) - H.M. Kauffman

Here's the third and final video from Norwegian Arms' Brighton Sound Sessions. It features a spacious new song from the psych-folk trio called "The Iceman," which also goes into "Kiva Ikva" off their LP Wolf Like a Stray Dog. Special thanks to Seven Knots Productions and Brighton Sound Studio for sharing. (Photo by Caitlin Magarity)

After headlining the sold out Houndstooth Entertainment launch party this past Friday at PhilaMOCA, Norwegian Arms are currently touring their way down to SXSW. Below is another video from their Brighton Sound Sessions of the trio performing "Soviet Bicycle." There is also an outtake of the band playing Frank Ocean's "Thinking About You" at the end of the footage, which was produced by Seven Knots Productions.

It’s kind of gloomy out today, and I’m feeling a little down. However, I know that there will be some good vibes emanating from PhilaMOCA tonight. Philly music community pals Norwegian Arms, Scott Churchman, Laser Background and Circadian Rhythms are ready to bring plenty of weird into the former mausoleum turned multipurpose art space. They’ll also be celebrating the release of Churchman’s cassette Ignore the Noise (Single Girl Married Girl Records). PhilaMOCA, 531 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21 + (Photo by Brandee Nichols) - H.M. Kauffman

Norwegian Arms recently recorded a few songs for Brighton Sound Sessions. You can check out the first installment below of the trio performing the title track from their LP Wolf Like a Stray Dog. They'll be playing next in Philly this Friday, March 8 at PhilaMOCA.

Dear Deli Readers,

We are proud to announce that The Deli Philly’s Best of 2012 Emerging Artist is Norwegian Arms! It was a tight race from the get-go between the self-described “weirdo-folk” duo turned trio and power-pop outfit Hop Along with Lushlife solidly representing the local hip-hop community in third place.


Please take a look at our chart of 60+ Philly area artists below. The highest value of votes came from our jurors, who included individuals involved in local music. This includes promoters, venue owners, press, DJs and other music experts (who are listed below - thanks y’all). The remainder of the votes was compiled by The Deli Philly contributors, readers, and open submissions voted on by national Deli editors.

List of Jurors: Brendan Bercik (Pilam), Dan Bisogno (Choice Tasters, VICE, Live Nation), Jeff Blinder (Spazz Presents), Kate Bracaglia (Philly.com, WXPN2, The Key), Eric Bresler (PhilaMOCA), Ryan Crump (Philly Drum Project), Kevin D’Mello (RockaPhilly), Mikele Edwards (Silk City), Nick Fanelli (The Fire, Guild Shows), Stacie George (Live Nation), Ellei Johndro (Shadowscene), Matt Kelchner (Bikini Island), Kevin Kennedy (The Swollen Fox), Colin Kerrigan (Out of Town Films, Philly.com, Pitchfork), Josh T. Landow (Y-Not Radio), Jesse Lundy (Point Entertainment), Gordon Mays (Kung Fu Necktie), Brian McTear (Weathervane Music), Jeff Meyers (Guild Shows), George Miller (JUMP Philly), Brandee Nichols (Philly Mostly Vegan, JUMP Philly), Matt Ricchini (Union Transfer, Johnny Brenda’s, Kung Fu Necktie), Mark Schoneveld (YVYNYL), Maria T. Sciarrino (WPRB, Her Jazz), Stephanie Seiple (Tri-State Indie), Elliott Sharp (City Paper, The Key, Noisey, Village Voice), Sara Sherr (Sugar Town), Matt Smith (HotBox Sessions), Jon Solomon (WPRB), Q.D. Tran (The Deli Magazine), John Vettese (The Key, WXPN, City Paper), Nikki Volpicelli (The Philly Music Showcase), Chris Ward (Johnny Brenda’s), Bruce Warren (WXPN, Some Velvet Blog, The Key)

Congrats to everyone who made the list and thanks to all those who voted!

BEST OF 2012 POLL FOR EMERGING PHILLY ARTISTS    ARTIST J W R OS TOT   1 Norwegian Arms 24 3 0.016   27.016 2 Hop Along 19 3 0.013   22.013 3 Lushlife 10 3 0.006   13.006 4 Work Drugs 7 2 0.009   9.009 5 Spacin' 7 2 0.005   9.005 6 Chill Moody 7   0.5   7.5 7 Cheers Elephant 6 1 0.045   7.045 8 The Bailey Hounds 6 1 0.006   7.006 9 Grande Marshall 5 2 0.004   7.004 10 Cousin Brian 5 1 0.055   6.055 11 Turning Violet Violet 2 1 0.011 3 6.011 12 Purling Hiss 3 3 0.008   6.008 13 Cold Fronts 4 2 0.006   6.006 14 +HIRS+ 4 1 0.5   5.5 15 The Districts 2 1 0.051 2 5.051 16 Ghost Light   3 0.011 2 5.011 17 The Lawsuits 5   0.005   5.005   TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb 4 1 0.005   5.005 19 DRGN King 4 1 0.004   5.004   Laser Background 4 1 0.004   5.004 21 Arrah and the Ferns 1 2 0.004 1.5 4.504 22 Night Panther 2 2 0.039   4.039 23 Arc in Round 3 1 0.007   4.007 24 Daniel Bachman 3 1 0.005   4.005   Gliss 3 1 0.005   4.005   Grandchildren 2 2 0.005   4.005   Nightlands 2 2 0.005   4.005 28  Modern Inventors 3   0.004 1 4.004 29 Vacationer 3 1 0.002   4.002 30 Rainbow Destroyer 3   0.013   3.013 31 Levee Drivers 3   0.012   3.012 32 The Interest Group 3   0.007   3.007 33 The Bad Doctors 3   0.006   3.006 34 Restorations 2 1 0.005   3.005 35 L.U.N.A.R. Revolt 3   0.003   3.003 36 Pattern is Movement 1 2 0.001   3.001   The High Five 3   0.001   3.001 38 Dear Althea 1   2   3 39 Ton-Taun     1.5 1 2.5 40 Lockets 2   0.054   2.054 41 Trophy Wife 2   0.027   2.027 42 Dreambook 2   0.02   2.02 43 Heyward Howkins 1   0.013 1 2.013 44 Void Vision 2   0.005   2.005 45 Juston Stens & The Get... 2   0.003   2.003   Kate Ferencz 2   0.003   2.003   Nothing   1 0.003 1 2.003 48 OCD: Moosh & Twist 2   0.002   2.002   Strand of Oaks 2   0.002   2.002 50 Bee Mask 2   0.001   2.001   White Birds 2   0.001   2.001 52 You You Dark Forest     1 1 2 53 Sonni Shine & The...     0.05 1.5 1.55 54 Eskimeaux     0.049 1 1.049 55 Orion Freeman 1   0.047   1.047   Toy Soldiers 1   0.047   1.047 57 Willow Talk     0.024 1 1.024 58 Prowler 1   0.007   1.007 59 Modern Baseball 1   0.006   1.006   The Tough Shits 1   0.006   1.006 61 Swearin' 1   0.005   1.005 62 Nick Millevoi 1   0.004   1.004 63 Shark Tape 1   0.003   1.003 64 Banned Books 1   0.002   1.002   Luther 1   0.002   1.002   Residuels 1   0.002   1.002 67 XVSK 1   0.001   1.001 Legend: J = Jurors, W = Deli Writers, R = Deli Readers, OS = Open Submissions

Much love,

The Deli’s Staff

Percussion as brisk and biting as a Siberian winter cut with mandolin twangs harkens back to days gone by at babushka’s house, sitting over a steaming bowl of homemade borscht. Vocalist Brendan Mulvihill wrote Norwegian Arms’ debut full-length album, Wolf Like A Stray Dog, during his yearlong fellowship in Tomsk, Russia.  Rich, multi-layered sounds are woven together with the help of partner in crime Dr. Awkward, a.k.a. Erick Slick (of Dr. Dog), which simultaneously blend and clash with Mulvihill’s vocals. Their quick tracks ink together to paint an icy landscape yearning for discovery, with Mulvihill, Slick and Laser Background’s Andy Molholt forging the path. Norwegian Arms will be opening for Deli NYC favorite and Brooklyn-based Buke and Gase, with Arone Dyer on the “buke” (a self-modified sixstring baritone ukulele) and Aron Sanchez playing “gas” (a guitar-bass hybrid creation). Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frakford Ave., 9:15pm, $12, 21+ - Shaylin O’Connell

This past Friday night four Philly bands came together to end the world with a bang, or deny the prophecy of the Mayans rather. Norwegian Arms were also celebrating the release of their debut LP, Wolf Like a Stray Dog, a collection of folk-y, fun tunes written by mastermind Brendan Mulvihill during his time spent in Siberia. Introducing the night was Night Panther, a groovy four-piece that sounds like a sexier version of a 1950's sock hop. They played some sweet electric guitar riffs and boogied down in their dapper outfits to thumping electro sonic blasts. Following their performance was ex-Armchairs Andy Molholt's project, Laser Background, a band so different and unique that their sound could only be described by the soul of their kazoos and rockin’ guitar work. A big excitement of the night, besides the release of the new Norwegian Arms LP, was the return of Pattern is Movement to Johnny Brenda’s stage. Drummer Chris Ward and keyboardist/vocalist Andrew Thiboldeaux threw down a slew of deep, soulful grooves with a modern day experimental twist. The audience seemed thoroughly ready for the next PiM album to arrive. 2013 is going to be a huge year for the dynamic, bearded duo. Last but not least, Norwegian Arms had everybody bobbing their heads in approval of their set that included songs from the album, another new original and a cover of Frank Ocean's “Thinkin Bout You.” It was a special evening of music at JB’s with plenty of positive energy bouncing around the room. You can check out our pics from the night HERE. (Photo by Rachel Barrish)