One last post to celebrate the top three bands from our year end Best of SF Poll for Emerging Artists. 

Down Dirty Shake

San Francisco based, psychedelic soul rock group, Down Dirty Shake has been honored with the title of The Deli Magazine San Francisco’s Emerging Artist of 2013. Even without that accomplishment, they are one of the hardest working bands in the Bay Area. This sometimes sultry, sometimes completely rowdy soul band that features the smooth Jim Morrison-esque vocals of lead singer, A.J. Lopez, plays a plethora of shows in San Fran and Oakland.

They played a four-week residency at The Milk Bar in the summer of 2013, and continue to record and release impressively psychedelic recordings. Their January release, The Beauville Boogie features two new songs: Sun Cheyenne and Stoned Love, which are previews of their upcoming full length album.

Down Dirty Shake's sexy ‘60s throwback ballads are completely romantic and lyrically impressive. You can always groove to their love and sex-centric music, as their songs are powerfully soulful, well composed and well written. If you haven’t seen Down Dirty Shake live, you will be doing yourself a favor by experiencing their energetic and wildly entertaining performances. (Note: you can read about DDS in the upcoming SXSW print edition of The Deli Magazine, coming soon!)

Disappearing People

The noisy heavy, dank experimental and unpredictable Oakland based duo, Disappearing People is the runner-up for The Deli Magazine San Francisco Emerging artist band of 2013. Our hand selected jury and writers really thought DP was one of the cream of the crop in the SF Bay scene. We completely agree. This band's otherworldly dissonance and musical experimentation will take you on a wild ride, and show that music doesn't have to be structured and pop oriented to move a crowd!

French Cassettes

French Cassettes is a veteran emerging band, finally getting their recognition as they were the second runner-up on the poll. They've proven time and time again that they can record great records, fill a room of anticipating and supportive fans and make their mark on the local music scene. We're always happy to cover this well rounded indie pop band. They're playing Noisepop 2014 this month in San Francisco, so keep an eye out here at The Deli SF for more details about their appearance!

Now that the poll is officially over, the Deli staff would like to thank all of the local jurors, artists, readers and writers for participating and making this year's Emerging Artist poll a great success. We look forward to introducing a new list of emerging bands next year as we continue to cover and support the SF Bay's underground and indie music scene.

Also look out for interviews with the winners of our Reader's poll, Major Powers & The Lo-Fi Symphony and 2013's Emerging Artist of the Year, Down Dirty Shake - SF Editor, je

Deli Nation,

Our Year End Poll for Emerging SF Bay Area Artists was - as usual - a painstaking (and somewhat excruciating) process, but we pulled it off with remarkable flair!

Kudos to vintage sounding psych rockers Down Dirty Shake (pictured) for winning it! Thumbs up also to dissonance masters Disappearing People (ion second place) and to bronze medal winners indie pop high fivers French Cassettes who bring a wave of optimism to this truly out there top 3... but it's SF, baby! (Oh and there's no medal, really...)

Here is how it all went down: first, we let the local bands submit their music (for free), and got our Deli editors to pick the nominees. Then we polled a list of 15+ SF Bay Area scene expert (our jury, list at the bottom) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each. Then we polled our writers, then we polled our readers. We tried to keep things open for each single genre, from Indie Rock to Roots Music to Hip Hop.

If you are a geek interested in all the subtelties related to how this poll works, you can read its rules here (happy reading!). But if all you care about is the awesome new music SF Bay Area produced in the year 2013, this list is all you need. Enjoy!

BEST OF 2013 POLL FOR EMERGING SF BAY AREA ARTISTS ****** FINAL RESULTS ******

ARTIST J W OS R TOT   1 Down Dirty Shake 7     1.5 8.5 2 Disappearing People 6 1   0.003 7.003 3 French Cassettes 3   3 0.051 6.051 4 The Love Dimension 6     0.015 6.015 5 Chasms 6     0.006 6.006 6 8th Grader 3 1   0.052 4.052 7 Meat Market 3 1   0.012 4.012 8 JAM 2   2 0.004 4.004 9 Everyone is Dirty 3     0.096 3.096 10 Sea Dramas     3 0.045 3.045 11 Twin Steps 2 1   0.037 3.037 12 Black Cobra Vipers 3     0.008 3.008 13 Cellar Doors 3     0.005 3.005 14 Happy Fangs 3     0.001 3.001 15 Major Powers & The Lo-Fi...     1 2 3   California Honeydrops 2     1 3   Koruscant Weekend 2 1   0 3 18 False Priest 1   1 0.091 2.091 19 Range of Light Wilderness 2     0.046 2.046 20 Miserable 2     0.011 2.011 21 Fuzz 2     0.009 2.009 22 Fine Steps 2     0.007 2.007   Warm Soda 2     0.007 2.007 24 Gitter Wizard 2     0.005 2.005 25 Cold Beat 1 1   0.004 2.004   Asteroid #4 2     0.004 2.004   The Family Crest 2     0.004 2.004   There's Talk 1 1   0.004 2.004 29 Blackbird Blackbird 2     0.003 2.003 30 Art Elliot     1.5 0.024 1.524 31 Devin Farney     1.5 0.018 1.518 32 Agony Aunts     1 0.5 1.5   Airs 1     0.5 1.5 34 Owl Paws     1 0.092 1.092 35 Down and Outlaws 1     0.082 1.082 36 Seshen 1     0.069 1.069 37 The She's 1     0.053 1.053 38 Chris Klippel     1 0.035 1.035 39 Fritz Montana     1 0.027 1.027   Religious Girls 1     0.027 1.027 41 Hot Lunch 1     0.025 1.025 42 Electric Shepherd 1     0.016 1.016   Spider Heart 1     0.016 1.016 44 Psychic Jiu Jitsu 1     0.015 1.015   Scraper 1     0.015 1.015 46 Front Country 1     0.004 1.004 47 Churches 1     0.003 1.003

Hope you'll find some awesome new artists you weren't aware of!

The Deli's Staff

French Cassettes:

2013 was a good year for French Cassettes. Not only did they win over Deli readers for the Artist of the Month Poll earlier this year with their exhuberant style of indie-pop, but they also managed to release a full length album called, Gold Youth, produced a music video for their song “Boys” and held down the stage alongside Black Cobra Vipers for a November residency at San Francisco dive bar Amnesia. They have gained a toehold in the burgeoning San Francisco music scene, delivering their brand of sunshine-pop to the masses. If you haven't seen them live, be sure to catch them at Brick and Mortar Music Hall February 3 with Waters and Social Studies. - Erin Dage

Sea Dramas

What do you get when you mix ‘60s surf rock, pop and folk? You get Sea Dramas, a local quintet that wowed readers voting for the Artist of the Month Poll last year. Featuring dreamy harmonies from vocalists Scott Pettersen, Marlaina Rae and gentle folk instrumentals, the band has their sound down to a science. This is shown in the bands debut album Soft Wake, released in early 2013. With tracks such as “Summer Dies” and “This is What We Know”, it’s no wonder they won the much-esteemed artist of the month poll. Be sure to see them perform at the Converse Store in San Francisco January 23rd. - Erin Dage

Art Elliot

If one thing’s for sure, it’s that Oakland singer-songwriter, Art Elliot has the post-apocalyptic pop market covered. Confronting the public with piano-based alternative pop, Elliot won himself honors for the Deli’s Artist of the Month Poll in 2013. This singer, songwriter and survivor has been making music for years, and released an EP entitled Goodbye last year. With a voice, unique and all his own, he amazed audiences with stand-out tracks such as “If My Home Remains” and “Postcard”. Keep an eye out for future shows with this artist! We know we will. - Erin Dage

Major Powers & The Lo-Fi Symphony

Self-proclaimed “adventure rock” band Major Powers & The Lo-Fi Symphony, is a trio of exceptionally talented weirdos with a flair for the theatrical. Combining epic rock guitar riffs with bouncy piano driven sections and flawless three part harmonies, the group showcases a technical virtuosity that is matched only by their twisted sense of humor. After listening to songs like “93,000,000 Miles” and “Were All Gonna Die!”, the band might be best described as a demented version of Queen. Since releasing their first full-length album, We Became Monsters in 2012, the group has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting new acts in the Bay Area. We’re excited to add them to this year’s list! - Ethan Varian

Devin Farney

Composer and pianist Devin Farney won a spot on this year’s list by creating a wide range of music that is truly distinctive. Borrowing elements from electronic, indie-rock, jazz and neo-classical music, Farney’s compositions takes the listener on a sonic journey that is both unexpected and completely enthralling. Whether it is a sprawling orchestral piece, ambient meditation or introspective indie-folk song, Farney’s music is far-reaching while retaining its own unique continuity. In addition to his compositions, you can check out Farney performing with a number of local indie bands including The Love Dimension and with local comedy-improv groups Big City Improv and The Secret Improve Society. - Ethan Varian

Agony Aunts

Psych-pop charlatans, Agony Aunts find their way onto our list thanks to an undying devotion to all things psychedelic. The Bay Area supergroup, made up of members of a number of local bands including The Corner Laughers and The Orange Peels, boasts a catalogue of well-crafted pop songs backed by lush, kaleidoscopic arrangements. Drawing on influences ranging from Big Star to Syd Barrett to Jesus Christ Superstar, Agony Aunt’s music is decidedly retro without getting stuck in the 60’s. Fresh from the release of last year’s Big Cinnamon, the group has quickly established itself as one of SF’s most accomplished pysch groups and is poised to make a big impact on the local scene in 2014. - Ethan Varian

Owl Paws:

Sometimes the flowers must die to make way for a new beauty to emerge. Since 2011, Owl Paws (aka Derek Schultz) has been releasing captivating folk records. Originally, the name Schultz recorded solo material under, Owl Paws has since expanded into a quartet including two guitars, percussion and upright bass. Owl Paws is full of haunting but not daunting folk whimsy. They have a certain style of mellow melody that gently carries you through their tender tales of trial and pursuit. It’s as though they are asking us to trim back the branch and brush of humanity to let in more natural light for us to breath and be inspired by their benevolent spell. Owl Paws is to headline Bottom of the Hill with James Riot and Cave Clove on January 25th. - Hunter Stroope

Chris Klippel:

With an impassioned voice reminiscent of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Ruban Nielson, Chris Klippel leads his one man band victoriously. No instrument is off limits within his compositions, as he makes intelligent sonic designs with the guitar, clarinet, violin, up-right bass, the human voice and even trombone. Klippel tickles notes of gypsy and dixie jazz, but his songs can range from rock n roll to R&B, baroque music and '50s soul. With cheeky album titles such as ”So Sioux Me” and “Blacktivism,” we can tell he’s clearly having a good time. Chris Klippel is keeping our city funky and colorful, a bright contrast beneath the machine grey cloud of the tech-age. if you haven’t noticed, he’s hard to classify, so just catch him on BFF.fm (Best Frequencies Forever) on January 31st and feb 1st. -Hunter Stroope

Fritz Montana:

Fritz Montana, a three-piece, blue colored, rock n' roll ensamble is fronted by the vehement voice of David Marshall. He's vocally akin to The Black Key's Dan Aurbach. He sings of classic themes, denoted in such titles as "She Just Don't Know" and "A Girl Like You," all while standing in the foreground of amplifier's with volume knobs hovering near ol’ number 11. A deep grooving bass is provided by Kevin Logan, who often references the golden years of Motown, whilst drummer Matthew Hagarty, keeps everything in-time with a flawless rhythm. They own a sound that fits in with the club scene but has successfully filled an arena as Fritz Montana keeps rock n roll's backbone strong here in the Bay Area. Currently, they’re hard at work on a new EP at The Panda Studios. -Hunter Stroope

Congratulations to The Deli Magazine San Francisco's Artist of the Month Poll Winners, French Cassettes! The readers and fans have spoken, and this polished indie pop rock band has come out on top! On top of winning the Deli SF's Poll, our editor in chief chose French Cassettes as the best band out of all the The Deli city's poll winners to reign as the The Deli's National Artist of the Month! We're very excited for them and wish this hardworking band the best of luck and success in every endeavor they pursue.

You can catch the French Cassettes LIVE playing a residency every Tuesday at Amnesia with Black Cobra Vipers!

The Deli SF Editor,

jordannah

I’ve got some free tickets coming your way for a show at Elbo Room on Nov. 28 featuring French Cassettes, Black Cobra Vipers, and the SF debut of Brolly.

The lineup has something for everyone—Brolly cools you down with introspective melody-centric pop (think Coldplay and Death Cab); French Cassettes warms you up with impossibly infectious, sunny grooves; and Black Cobra Vipers shakes you around with swooning vocals, and art funk flavors.

The two pairs of tickets are courtesy of Bourgeois Productions and event sponsors Faultline Studios. If you want them, send me an email at thedelisf@gmail.com, and I’ll draw the winners at random. Hint: dates are expensive, and this is some prime, date-worthy real estate.