If you live in Austin, you’ve likely seen Indoor Creature stickers around town. Their show provides more than just a sound, but also a warm camaraderie to associate with the band. The show at Cheer Up Charlies on Saturday highlighted their EP release, Both Sides. The venue was packed with their friends and supporters. There was a total of 5 bands playing that evening, and between sets all the band members were socializing and smiling. Cheer Ups felt more like a hometown house party where everybody knows everybody, and everybody is relieved it's finally summertime in Austin. The band chose a great weekend for their release; due to UT’s graduation everyone and their mom was out to celebrate.

Spotify categorizes this Austin-born band as ‘pop,’ but I’d describe their sound as refined chillwave with creamy vocals and sophisticated melodies featuring an array of instruments. You can lose yourself in the groove. And the bongos.

A saxophone also appears during the set that really ties the funkiness together. Listen to “Paradox” at 2:00 to hear the sensuous brass.

I lost consciousness during their second song of the show, Ode to Boone. It might have been the day drinking, the oversugary watermelon vodka, or the bassline penetrating my soul, but regardless I passed out for 6-8 seconds. I’m glad I didn’t miss too much of this playful, truly fantastic story of a song. The chorus goes: He’s not a puppy anymore, he’s a middle-aged dog, he’s a grown-ass man, now.

Indoor Creature is comprised of 4 talented musicians who aren’t afraid to experiment with sound, image, and ideas evidenced by their poetic lyrics. They’re bridging genres and co-creating a new vibe for those coming of age in Austin. Get a taste of their dynamic in their music video for “Dreams or Whatever,” an EP they released in 2018, OR catch them at their next show at Electric Church on June 1st.

-Melissa Green

Well alright, alright, alright y’all. We’ve reached the end of our open submissions for artists looking to be considered for The Deli's Best of Austin Year End Poll for Emerging Artists. Many thanks and tacos to all those that submitted their work; we took a listen to it all.

After tallying our editors' ratings for the Open Submissions stage, it’s time to release the results. Please note that to avoid conflicts no local editor was allowed to vote for bands in their own scene.

Total submissions from Austin: 25

Jurors: Jurors: Cody, Dan, Paolo

Acts advancing to our Readers/Fans Poll:

1. Hard Proof (Afrobeat) – 8.17 (out of 10)

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2. Madisons (Folk/Americana) - 7.5

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3. The Cover Letter (Alt Folk) - 7.5

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4. Jackie Venson (Blues Rock) - 7.33

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5. Tennessee Stiffs (Alt Folk) - 7.33

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6. COSMS (Post Rock) - 7.17

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7. Molybden (Folk/Americana) - 7.17

Honorable Mentions (ranked above 6.5):

Bazile, SIGNY, Booher, Paula Maya, Steady Legend, Wildcat Apollo, Indoor Creature

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WHAT’S NEXT: These results end the first phase of the poll. We will soon unveil the artists nominated by our local jurors, and then let our readers and our writers influence the poll with their vote.

Keep creating, keep supporting, and stay tuned for your chance to vote!

—The Deli Austin Staff