[April Smith and the Great Picture Show]

Categories: Rootsy - Folk - Songwriters
Region: NYC + NJ + Long Island
Jurors: Deli SF,LA and Philadelphia Editors

NOMINATED FOR NEXT PHASE
1. April Smith - 8.5
1. Motel Motel - 8.5
3. Jones Street Station - 7.833
3. Julie Peel - 7.833
4. Midnight Masses - 7.5

[Motel Motel]

RUNNERS UP
Hymns, No Eye Contact, Quiet Loudly, Kagero, Numbers and Letters

Finally! Something classic and clean streaming through my ear buds. Break of Reality is exactly what their name implies. A break from all of this indie rock madness and a step into the simple eloquent pleasures of a striking clan of cellos. Maybe I’m biased because I played the bowed 4 string as a youngen, but nothing beats the sound of a cello - listen to the bow's horsehair passionately caressing the strings! These guys are ripping their instruments to shreds with passion - it’s gold! This is cello music you can bang your head to. - CS

This album could very well be a relic from the 1960s.  Doug Gillard is like the Cat Stevens of 2009 with his deep (sometimes robotic monotone) vocals and classic guitar oldies sound. And he has the music cred to back up his solo endeavors having been a guitarists for Death of Samantha, Lifeguards, Gem, Cobra Verde, Guided by Voices, the list goes on.  He has something special to offer as a soloist and Call From Restricted is a chance to hear the pure Gillard sans collaborations.  So if you thought his first solo Salamander [2004] was a gem, just play “Time is Nigh” for a song that could very well be on the Harold & Maude soundtrack. Doug Gillard plays the Mercury Lounge on January 05 - CS

“I was born on False River in Louisiana. Moved around a lot. Joined the merchant marine. Fell off a boat and was rescued by a magical sea turtle. Worked at a Jello factory. Was followed home by a bear cub who I raised and taught how to skydive. His chute failed to open one day and the hole must go all the way to China. After that I moved to New York.”- AA Bondy will play Union Hall on 02.06. Read Erin O'Keefe's full AA Bondy feature here.

Led by vocalist Leo Maymind, Spanish Prisoners blend bubbly psych pop with dark telltale vocals and daydream guitar textures. Recently the band has played shows with the likes of Daniel Johnston, John Vanderslice and Foals. Shortly after their debut Spanish Prisoners expanded with keyboardist Amberly Hungerford, who also contributes with vocals adding even more diversity. They have recently released the “Los Angeles Guitar Dream” EP to a mass of good press, followed by a 7”, with remixes by RAC and Blind Man’s Color. In July they played a residency at the Cameo Gallery sponsored by The Deli and The Music Slut. - Read Stacy Surface interview with the band here.