At The Deli, we define “Alt Rootsy” or "Alt Folk" those artists that have a basis in American roots music yet manage to somehow veer off its traditional ways - hence the picture above.

Total submissions in this category: 38

Artists Qualified to the Poll's Next Stage (starting around 01.15):

1. Great Elk - 7.833 (out of 10)
2. Sorcha Richardson - 7.33
3. Derrick and the Black Sea - 7.16

Honorable Mentions (scores about 6.5):

Ben Pagano, Howth, Robin's Egg Blue, Tall Tall Trees, Everest Cale, Cole Williams, Nightmare River Band, XNY, Tess, Dan and Rachel, Erez and The End, Philip Lynch.

Jurors: Chrissy Prisco (Deli New England), Lucy Sherman (Deli Contributor), QD Tran (Deli Philadelphia)

The Deli's Staff

Like some kind of critical exercise, or perhaps only for the aesthetic nuances, Howth took their music to three different spaces, from the studio to 'Blake's place' to the stage, to expose through the recording of their latest EP Secret Goldmine the differences in textures, effects and ambiances that occur from one environment to the next. A heartfelt declaration may seem somewhat sterile when compared to the intimacy of a home recording, the sound of the live will lose in depth as it bounces further away, etc. Every track finds its own strength. Having spent the last month on the roads, touring the US to promote this new record - their second EP, closely following a second album they released in May – the band will soon be heading back to Brooklyn, where you can catch them for their homecoming show at Cameo Gallery on Saturday (8.25).

For another fingerpicking folk artist coming out of Brooklyn, Howth has a great eidetic spectrum: It can take you on a drive through the country, it can take you to a peaceful city street at night, it can make you remember feeling in love. i.e., "Hey There Delilah" couldn't hold a candle to Howth's "Timeless Square". (By the way, this CD is sold out, so that must mean something).

There’s something naturally beautiful in raw acoustic guitar and passionate, whispered singing.  Bird Courage plays the Silent Barn tomorrow, and it should be a pure, almost transcendental experience. The modern indie/folk duo is now recording an album due out this month; preview here.
 

When a band on myspace has six songs up, all with less than 100 hits, it's usually an indicator of sub-indie mediocrity. However, I just landed on a legit electro/surf rock band FishDoctor, playing consistently catchy electronic rock for a 15-strong friend section. Check out my favorite FishDoctor track, "We are we".

These bands submitted their music for coverage on The Deli through this link. - All reviews by Caitlin Clive