Review of the Deli's Band of the Month winner, Jakob Battick and Friends. Stay tuned for an interview with them in the future.

Taking their name from an Andrew Bird song, Good Kid Sprouting Horns set the stage with their incredibly minimal setup of guitar, Casio keyboard, and small drum kit. While Horns’ music was rooted in folk, they showed different shades of influences from the lo-fi rock explosion of the 90s and a lick of alt-country. Anthony Bitetti’s voice was subdued and creaky and he could belt away in a beautiful descent. Horns’ performance was powerful and satisfying.

Following Horns was Bangor native, Jakob Battick who was accompanied by his ragtag team of musicians from the local university. Going under the name Jakob Battick & Friends, the group is constantly evolving, always welcoming new members and saying goodbye to the old—sometimes cycling through the same people, allowing for the reinterpreting of already interpreted songs. What’s so special about Jakob Battick & Friends isn’t only the folk and sometimes punk-infused songwriting, but also the group’s willingness to change and experiment with songs that never end up sounding exactly the same.

A year ago, Jakob Battick’s songs would have sounded almost gentle and quiet—with the support of acoustic instruments and maybe some light drumming. With a year passed, the group has changed and know have a sound that’s jagged and loud. While the songs are still rooted in folk music, the group isn't afraid to show a little contrast between the soft and sharp. This was especially evident in the elegant sounds of Roy MacNeil’s violin set against Mark Dennis’ pummeling war-drums. It was during these moments that the folk switched to a more tribal sound.

Planets Around The Sun performed next, I suggest you check them out!

--Dylan Martin

Theodore Treehouse is relatively new to Portland, but thanks to a grand network of friends and a venue that will welcome almost anything that resembles a music group, Treehouse was given a vessel to kick the ass of 100 or more ears on Tuesday night. Despite the band being in an early stage, their songs were incredibly catchy and well-crafted. The core of every song was poppy, but there were some more experimental elements (repetition, jamming) that kept the band from being just another pop act. It'd be safe to say these guys (and gal) are garage pop, very much like Portland's Metal Feathers. The timbre can make or break a band, and this band's timbre has a wonderful coat: guitar on distortion, fuzzy synthesizer, forward bass, dynamic drums and a scratchy, but lovable voice. You could say Treehouse can fall in somewhere between Modest Mouse, Wolf Parade and earlier Animal Collective, but comparisons like this ultimately do the band a disservice, especially when they bring a completely new sound to the table and deserve the credit. If you're interested in following the Portland music scene, Theodore Treehouse is definitely a band to take note of. I can sense that they'll be playing a lot more shows with better-known bands real soon.

--Dylan Martin

Deli readers who play in bands,

The Deli has reserved 3 showcase slots at Music Tech Mashup during SXSW, which will take place at Rusty Spurs in Austin, TX on 7th St. on March 17. Rusty Spurs features 3 stages with an 800 person capacity in the middle of it all and is an official SXSW venue. During SXSW it will host shows by heavy hitters like Echo and the Bunnymen, Vega (Neon Light side project) and Semi Precious Weapons (recently on tour with Lady Gaga) amongst others.

To apply to play this SXSW show all you need to do is fill in this form HERE and click on the confirmation email you'll receive (this will simply add you to our mailing list and enter your band in our fabulous charts organized by genre and region - one day we'll also create band profiles!). 3 artists will be selected by the organizers (one of them will be a local Austin, TX artist). Any band that is available to travel to Austin is eligible. Submission deadeline is Monday 02.22 at 11.59 pm.

Music Tech Mashup Showcase (hosted by Coast to Coast Models & Events and presented by The Deli, Hunnypot, GreenShoeLace) will celebrate the convergence of music and technology and the opportunities it presents for everyone involved just as SXSW itself switches gears from Interactive Week to Music Week.This is a list of some of the artists already booked: Jada - Universal Motown Records (Boston, MA) - Bamboo Shoots - Epic Records (New York) - Shinobi Ninja - (Brooklyn, NY) - McAlister Drive - (Boston, MA) - Odd Modern - (Los Angeles, CA) - Keys and Crates (Toronto, Canada) - Curtis Santiago (Toronto, Canada) - Keith Masters (Chicago, IL) - FutureCop! (UK) - Mark Foster (Los Angles, CA).

The Deli's Staff

Michael Bernier & The Uprising will be playing his last show before he leaves the country to go to Belize to explore more about hand-drumming. Bernier won 2nd place in the overall year end contest and 2nd place in the reader's poll. We will be featuring an interview with him when he returns from his travels. Supporting at The Big Easy, Station 85, Div Kid  and People With Instruments.

--The Deli Staff

The Deli's Year End Polls for emerging artists are a great opportunity to catch up with all the most exciting up and coming bands that left a mark in the previous 12 months. Don't forget to check out these bands as they might hit it big in 2010 (if they haven't already!).

AUSTIN BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: STEREO IS A LIE


Also check out
Missions (2nd place overall)
Neon Indian (3rd place overall)
Black Joe Lewis (3rd place overall)
Austin Overall Chart - Austin Fans' Chart

CHICAGO BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: I FIGHT DRAGONS


Also check out
Hey Champ (2nd place overall)
Netherfriends (3rd place overall)
Chicago Overall Chart - Chicago Fans' Chart

LOS ANGELES BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: LOCAL NATIVES


Also check out:
Fitz & The Tantrums (2nd place overall)
Crash Kings (3rd place overall)
Light FM - (Fans' Poll Winners)
LA Overall Chart - LA Fans' Chart

NEW ENGLAND BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: MEAN CREEK


Also check out:
Michael Bernier and the Uprising (2nd place overall)
Jesse Dee (3rd place overall)
McAlister Drive - (Fans' Poll Winners)
New England Overall Chart - New England Fans' Chart

NASHVILLE BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: THOSE DARLINS


Also check out:
Non Commissioned Officers (2nd place overall)
Protomen (3rd place overall and Fans' Poll winners)
Nashville Overall Chart - Nashville Fans' Chart

NYC BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: TALK NORMAL


Also check out:
Freelance Whales (2nd place overall)
Bear in Heaven (3rd place overall)
Midnight Spin (Fans' Poll winners)
NYC Overall Chart - NYC Fans' Chart

PHILLY BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: READING RAINBOW


Also check out:
Grandchildren (2nd place overall)
Free Energy (3rd place overall)
Levee Drivers (Fans' Poll winners)
Philly Overall Chart - Philly Fans' Chart

PORTLAND BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: EXPLODE INTO COLORS


Also check out:
Nurses (2nd place overall)
Bodhi (3rd place overall and Fans' Poll winners)
Portland Overall Chart - Portland Fans' Chart

SAN FRANCISCO BEST EMERGING ARTIST OF 2009: GIRLS


Also check out:
Man/Miracle (2nd place overall)
Or, The Whale (3rd place overall and Fans' Poll winners)
Orchestra of Antlers (Fans' Poll winners)
SF Overall Chart - SF Fans' Chart