“Lazer Gunz” is the name of the new single by Clementine & the Galaxy (a live video of the song here). On it, guitarist and composer Mike MacAllister pushes the dramatic energy to its extreme, which singer Julie Hardy more than keeps up with, through a fierce vocal performance that perfectly melds neon with emo. If it all feels kitsch at times, “Lazer Gunz” is also unforgettably melodic, a trademark of the band’s core strength. Too bad there aren’t any robot films out there that eschew political paranoia for sweet, old school romance. It beats war. Catch Clementine at Pianos this Friday, September 20th at 11pm. - Brian Chidester

Clementine & the Galaxy were amongst the critical darlings of last year’s underground music polls in NYC. Lately, however, the group’s tight electropop sound has evolved in a vibrant techno direction, which obscured singer Julie Hardy’s soaring vocals on the band’s newest material debuted last month at their Spike Hill show for The Deli’s electro showcase. Clementine continue the transformation in a Knitting Factory show on Wednesday July 10th with Vandana Jain, Kodachrome and Virginia Plain opening. The mere fact that they are taking chances with their sound bodes well for the act and the larger venue should give them an exciting opportunity to earn their stripes. No pressure! - Brian Chidester

After two folky bills on Wednesday and Thursday, Spike Hill will host a decidedly electronic, almost entirely lady fronted show on Friday June 07, featuring a lot of bands we are looking forward to seeing in a live setting.

Headlining the night at 12.30 will be Manicanparty (pictured) - a band that has built a meaningful buzz without even having an official EP or LP out - with their angelic electro-pop contaminated by tribal and exotic influences. Right before them at 11.40, Cultfever will enterntain us once again (we booked them a bunch of times!) with their upbeat indie-pop that blends synths, guitars and samples. The third headliner of the night, Clementine & The Galaxy, quite appropriately features a more sci-fi, but still very melodic sound, and Julie Hardy's angelic voice. Stephanie Brown's brainchild Lips will hit the stage at 10, and fill the room with their loungy and melancholic - but not necessarily slow - electronic tunes. We can't wait to see mainstay of the NYC scene Yula Beeri's new electro project Kiss Slash Crooked Smile - the lady can sing and has a lot of presence, you may remember her in Nanuchka and Star Fucking Hipsterz. KNTRL - on the other hand - cannot count on a talented front lady because... they are two dudes - the only dude fronted band of the night as a matter of fact! They are the rocker act on the bill though, which is a great thing to be if you ask us - stick around for them until 1.15am - it's a Friday night! Mystery band S&M (you don't want to miss them) and talented rapper Melissa Czarnik will kick off the night at 7.30 and 8.20 respectively.

Deli-rious beings,

In our insanely convoluted (but SUPERBLY accurate) system governing our Year End Poll for Emerging NYC Artist, our writers have a rather influential vote. Here are the results of this specific poll (top 3 positions only).

Quite unexpectedly, indie guitar-pop trio Skaters (pictured) took home the gold (the band is currently recording their debut LP, needless to say we are looking forward to it!), with the silver going to electro-pop masters St. Lucia and 10 bands getting a sliver of bronze.

BEST OF 2012 FOR EMERGING NYC ARTISTS - DELI WRITERS' POLL RESULTS -

ARTIST VOTES   1 Skaters 4 2 St. Lucia 3 3 Ambassadors 2   Anya Skidan 2   Black Taxi 2   Clementine & The Galaxy 2   Foxygen 2   Hot Sugar 2   Life Size Maps 2   Spirit Family Reunion 2   The Stationary Set 2   Turkuaz 2

Final results out on Monday!!!!

The Deli's Staff

Since the beginning of the big recession, Electronic Music in NYC has been experiencing an unforeseen explosion, also thanks to the fact that electronic projects are cheaper and more efficient even compared to the most basic of power trios (no need for band mates or rehearsal studios...). Since pretty much any genre can be reproduced electronically, rather than a genre, the word Electronic indicates "sonic material" (as in: 'these songs are made with electronic sounds'). Hence the variety of styles included in this category.

Total submissions in this category: 43

Artists Qualified to the Poll's Next Stage (starting around 01.10)

1. Kiss Slash Crooked Smile - 7.66 (out of 10)
1. Clementine & the Galaxy - 7.66
3. AVAN LAVA - 7.50

Honorable Mentions (scores above 6.5)

I Am Lightyear, Loveskills, Mitten, Future Screens, Moon Furies, New Myths, Psychobuildings, Jonka, Late Guest at the Party, Young Heel, Maria Takeuchi.

Jurors: Jason Behrends (Deli Chicago), Jacqueline Caruso (Deli LA), QD Tran (Deli Philly).

The Deli's Staff