Polls are like guitar solos, some people love them while others despise them - and we are cool with that. 

Here at The Deli we like polls because - at least the way we do them - they allow us to accomplish many positive things at once:

1. The Deli's polls are a great way to give free exposure to local emerging artists we like, directly on our homepage.
2. The polls may prompt these same artists to promote our site amongst their fans - and of course we like that.
3. They also basically force us to constantly search for great up and coming local artists - 8 every 2 weeks only in NYC!!!
4. The artists and bands who win our polls not only get their picture on top of our city scene homepage for two weeks (which is the most clicked part of our site), but also (when we have local sponsors) win some prizes, including free recording and mastering time - now that doesn't hurt them for sure...
5. Most readers perceive being nominated for a poll and - even more so - winning it, as a strong sign of quality - and giving that kind of message associated to an emerging artists is exactly what we are here for.

So if you happen to despise polls, we just gave you 5 good reasons to change your mind...

The Deli's Staff

What neosoul outfit Votive Crown lack in material, they make up for with potential and promise. Having released only three tracks over the past three years, the Brooklyn group has been coy, if not shy, about demonstrating what they're truly capable of so far. What they have cared to share, however, is a shimmering, fresh take on vintage soul, just as their name would suggest. Their most recent release, "THEREMIN" (the first since 2013) gently weaves in worldly influences into a deeply melodic soul sound that's headlined by silky, female vocals and ethereal synth and keys patterns. Votive Crown can't release something else soon enough, and you can check them out at Mercury Lounge on 8/8. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Southland's music communities say farewell to the much-loved and respected venue Pehrspace at 325 Glendale, which will be demolished on August 4th. The venue is hosting a 36-hour Pehrathon to go on all through Saturday and Sunday as a final effort to raise funds for relocation. The farewell celebration features many long-time musicians connected with the venue, with concert blocks curated by Michael Vidal, KChung Radio, L.A. Takedown, Slow Rose, The International Adventure Club, Fourth Fridays with Mary & Eli, and Young Lovers—over 20 artists are slated to perform.

In a panel discussion last week with organizers of DIY venues The Smell, Pacific Nature, and Bridgetown, Pehrspace manager Pauline Lay lightly mentioned the prospect of attaining non-profit status as Pehrspace searches for its next brick-and-mortar location to call home. In the month leading up to its imminent closure, the music and arts space has hosted benefit concerts and an auction and moving sale to help with costs for relocation. Artpunk tenants TrapsPs even opened up their last practice to friends and fans earlier in the week at Pehrspace. In its ten years of existence, Pehrspace has fully supported creative expression and become a powerful hub for DIY music, art, film and more. Sliding scale donations will be in place for this last event ($10-$20); consider further donating to Pehrspace's GoFundMe for its relocation and continued existence.

The Afropunk Festival is returning to Brooklyn this August 27th and 28th and we’ve got you covered with a playlist of all the local artists scheduled to play.  First up is Saul Williams – a poet as well as musician who melds poetry and hip-hop together in order to create a unique kind of alternative hip-hop.  The VeeVees, on the other hand, remind us that rock'n'roll is basically sped up, punhcy blues, a genre America stole from Africa.  The Whooligan slow things down with tracks full of meditative yet infectious electronica.  DJ Lindsey is no stranger to the DJ scene and creates catchy tracks that are tinged with nostalgia full of hip hop and soul vocals. On a similar line operates also DJ Juliana Huxtable, mixing tracks that are full of loud and danceable beats, but that really demand to be heard for themselves.  LSDXOXO accurately relates his music to “crying in club” as it blends melancholia, house and rap. Brooklyn based producer, CX Kidtronik makes bouncy hip hop infused with electronica, and last but not least, Dhundee combines a variety of sounds curated for dancing, experimenting with all kinds of instruments that aren’t used as often by others in the genre. - Madeleine Grossman

Live hip-hop bands are truly a diamond a dozen nowadays, making a new single from NYC's Deathrow Tull all the more special.  The Hip-hop/Soul band's first release since 2013, "Fire (like we do)" is a fast-paced joy-ride through music old and new. Clocking in at over six minutes, the heavily danceable track uses it's length to its advantage, managing to enfold genres ranging from soul, hip-hop, and reggae all into one song. It has some rock leanings too, mostly contributed by a Tom Morello-esque guitar part that stays in the background much of the track, only to suddenly break out into an out of sight solo right past the song's mid-way line. Adding to the guitar part's references, on Friday the 22nd Deathrow Tull is taking part in "Pulse Against the Machine," a benefit show for the victims of the shooting of the Orlando club, where they'll play Rage covers to finish off the night. Check out their latest track below. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber