Best NYC
songwriters
oF
Emerging
O
focus bviously referred to melodic music with a “solo” to only apply ’t doesn genre this , lyrics on the projects, but also to bands that seem to serve musical vision of one person.
Artists
2012
c
Stephie oplan and The Pedestrians
#18 Stephie Coplan and The
Pedestrians
Perhaps one of the most exciting things along the artistic journey of self-discovery and creative expression is the moment when you stop trying to be like everyone else, and embrace who you truly are. Such was the case for Stephie Coplan, singer-songwriter and frontwoman for Stephie Coplan and the Pedestrians, a dynamic, bold new band bursting through the New York music scene and into the hearts of fans all over the country. Channeling the energy of Gwen Stefani blended with keen piano chops and empowering lyrics, Stephie and the boys lure crowds with the perfect balance of mischievous fun and a scintillating sound. (Christina Morelli)
#38 Merrily &
The Poison Orchard
With their musical inspiration stemming from an emotional promise, Merrily & the Poison Orchard are impressing audiences throughout the New York and Brooklyn music scene. Their healthy integration of folk, pop, rock, and a hint of country makes for a well-rounded and entertaining live performance. Their tunes have the lightness of Feist with a twisted edge, and are richly orchestrated. (Christina Morelli)
#40 Mal Blum
Mal Blum’s whimsical, melodic songs have been garnering her a devoted group of followers over the past several years. Like many songwriters of her caliber, Blum’s strength lies in her
the deli_22 Spring 2012
Robin words. She’s willing to name-drop Harry Potter, toss a nod to vegans, or place her characters in the throes of seafood poisoning – always with engaging lyrical imagery. While the songs themselves rarely address gender empowerment issues in an overt way, the discerning listener can pick out the themes. Blum’s shows often serve as bonding experiences for fans with similar social concerns. And of course, everyone is there to hear a ton of great songs. (Ben Krieger)
#43 Clementine
and The Galaxy
In recent months, you’ve probably seen your fair share of the Clementine portion of Clementine and The Galaxy, but you may not have realized it. Properly known as Julie Hardy, the group’s frontwoman has made television appearances backing St. Vincent on David Letterman and Ellie Goulding on Saturday Night Live, using her light, ethereal vocals to accent the singers’ performances. Now with two EPs released under Clementine and The Galaxy, which includes producer Michael McAllister, Hardy is truly unleashing her powerful voice while soothing with a Florence Welchlike enchantment. (Devon Antonetti)
#44 The Sneaky Mister
Light and airy – original enough to stand out but familiar enough to share sonic space with greats like Feist and Regina Spektor, The Sneaky Mister a.k.a. Judith Shimer bares her honest lyrics and clever hooks with the current Brooklyn scene. The seven tracks off her most recent EP, Joyce, fills listeners with entertaining commentary about everyday life and the human
Bacior
Photo: Michael Popp
condition. Shimer has a seamless way of keeping spring and summer musically permeating in the air all year round. (Christina Morelli)
#47 Robin Bacior
Robin Bacior’s intimate, candid lyrics and complex, ever-evolving orchestral arrangements show us a musician whose maturity is well-beyond her twenty four years. Her comforting folk tunes are perfect for the winter season: a time of nostalgia and self-awareness yet utmost beauty. (Amanda Dissinger)
#48 Firehorse
Leah Siegel has taken her songwriting to an entirely new level with her new project Firehorse. The force and precision behind the band’s music team up to create a powerful and heartbreaking sound. The group takes listeners on an ethereal journey through an angst-driven eerie universe on their debut album And so they ran faster… In her single “Our Hearts,” the sparse electronic arrangements, the synthetic piano sounds, the mechanical electronic drums, and the strong, sad melody line confer to this melancholic song an existential quality reminiscent of the slower material by Radiohead and Peter Gabriel. (Chelsea Eriksen)
#52 Bird Call
Singer/songwriter Chiara Angelicola a.k.a. Bird Call stuns with an intense level of vocal control. Sultry whispered, sometimes ghostly soft folk breaks into full-bodied warbling without a hitch. It really seems like she can make her voice do anything – think a throatier, pleasantly weirder Regina Spektor. Chiara, based in Brooklyn and