This Friday, Cheer Up Charlie's is hosting a show of some of The Deli Austin's favorite local bands, all leading up to the release of the new EP from Hikes.  Hikes came on our radar last year after the release of what looks like the most fun video shoot of all time.  Do yourself a favor...

HIKES / Like Ripples / OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO from Lobo Sucio Creative on Vimeo.

Pair that with what is some of the most heartfelt and ambitious music coming out of Austin and needless to say, we're excited to hear the new record. It's a long night of music and DJs starting with Nathaniel Red and sets from Chipper Jones, Big Bill, Happy Hell and Young Tongue.  All great bands and an amazing, eclectic line-up of local talent.  Get there early and stay late.  

Wow! We got almost twice as many submissions this year as we did last year. Thanks to everyone who helped spread the word and give bands a chance to have their music heard by critics all over the country. After tallying the votes for the Open Submissions stage of our Austin Year End Poll, it's time to release the results.

Please note that no editor was allowed to vote for bands in their own scene. The editors that voted on the Austin scene were: Q.D. Tran (Deli Philadelphia), Jordannah Elizabeth (Deli San Francisco), and Paolo De Gregorio (Deli NYC, Editor-In-Chief).

Acts advancing to our Readers/Fans Poll with a ranking above 6.5:

1. Criminal Birds (Indie Rock) - 7.3
2. Emily Wolfe (Songwriters) - 7.2
3. The Vliets (Psych Rock) - 7.2
4. Growl (Indie Pop/Rock) - 7
5. Hikes (Folk Pop) - 6.8
6. Danny Malone (Songwriters) - 6.8
7. Language Room (Alt Rock) - 6.6
8. Foe Destroyer (Garage Pop/Rock) - 6.6
9. Milezo (Psych Pop/Rock) - 6.6

Honorable Mentions (ranked above 6.0):

Calliope Musicals (Psych Pop/Rock) - 6.3
Lake Lady and the Mountain Man (Soul/Indie Pop) - 6.3
Paula Maya (World Music) - 6.3
Anya (Hip Hop) - 6.2

Total submissions from the Austin Scene: 43

WHAT'S NEXT: These results end the first phase of the poll. In the next few days we'll unveil the artists nominated by our local jurors (mostly venue promoters and other industry people who know the Austin scene insode out), and we'll let our readers and writers influence the poll with their vote.

Thanks to all the acts who submitted to us. Our open submissions pool was truly a celebration of the diversity and richness of Austin's talent. Keep creating, keep supporting and stay tuned for your chance to vote!

The Deli Staff

Every now and then you see a show that blows your mind so much that you see that band time and time again. Sorne took me to another plane the first time I ever saw them with their sonic storytelling, omniscient vocals, chilling visuals and driving drumbeats. When the song was over, the realization set in that it was only a sound check. Everybody looked around at one another as if we'd just witnessed something out of this world and although I'd been planning to leave after the band before them, there was no way I was missing out on this experience now.

Come witness the avant garde magic on Saturday the 27th at Holy Mountain as Sorne releases their second album, Ego Altar. The title track can be heard below. Mighty Mountain and Hikes will be sharing the bill that night. See you there. -- Written by Charise Sowells

There’s some music out that listens like poetry, and I’m not just talking about the lyrics. Hikes latest single “Trophy Lives” first two minutes is an instrumental of calculated guitars with no typical song structure, building and fading on its own. This isn’t a track you can listen to just once, and I’m sure the album will be the same. They’re dropping their new album tomorrow (which “Trophy Lives” is on). You can celebrate with them tomorrow night at their release party at Wardenclyffe. - Lucy Sherman