As evidenced by the composite points chart blogged just below this post, the voters of Portland have spoken, Facebooked, MySpaced, Tweeted, cold-called and badgered the general populace to come right and announce that, yes, Explode Into Colors was Portland's Best Emerging Band of 2009! Major huge congratulations go out to the all-girl, lo-fi, found-sound dance trio for their trailblazing 2009, and for making our ears tilt just a little more than usual this year.

Thanks, again, to everyone who voted on the Readers Poll, the Open Poll, and also to our amazing list of Jurors. The Deli Portland's stellar list of Jurors consisted of some amazing local bloggers, writers, and music people, and we couldn't have come to such a wide cross-section of bands without their valid input. Here they are, in no particular order:

DJ Gustav: DJ for 94.7 FM Alternative Portland;

Nick Mattos: Celebrated queer columnist, and arts writer for Portland's Just Out newspaper;

Chris Young: Contributor to the Deli Portland, Associate Editor and DJ/Electro Editor of Oregon Music News;

Michael Miller: Contributor to the Deli Portland;

Katrina Nattress: Assistant Editor for the Deli Portland, Music Editor of Button Magazine, and contributor to Willamette Week newspaper;

Ryan J. Prado: Associate Editor of the Deli Portland, staff writer for Just Out newspaper, contributor for Synthesis, Wonka Vision, and Alternative Press;

Mark Lore: Editor/founder of The Days of Lore music blog, contributor to Spin.com, Chico News and Review, and The Portland Mercury;

Joel Sommer: Contributor to the Deli Portland

And let's not forget the runners-up in the Best Emerging Band of 2009 poll: Nurses, and Deli Portland Readers Poll winner Bodhi! We can't say enough great things about these bands, but we'll try as soon as we catch our breath.

Stick around for our regular monthly Band of the Month polls, beginning February 1st. And keep reading The Deli Portland!

- The Deli Portland Staff