South by Southwest is one of the biggest music festivals leading into the summer season. It’s historically been known to be one of the best tools for propelling up and coming artists into the next phase, or bringing back some loved artists for new eyes and ears. Portland’s representation at the festival may not be high in numbers but it is ecclectic in offerings.

One of the city’s fun acts playing the fest is Phone Call, our 5 year old local funky, r&b electronic duo that’s been making hips move while also making us laugh with some of their lyrics. Delightfully minimalistic in its execution, Phone Call’s sounds are the perfect display for the usual sensual themes found in their songs.

It’s all in good fun, and you can catch Phone Call post-SXSW at The Fixin To’ on March 24 with Coronation and Gold Casio. Dancing options are promised to be available.

Heavy times call for heavy measures. One of the heaviest measures we can take to combat the bountiful amount of bullshit in this country currently is by hitting up the sixth annual Ceremony of Sludge, taking place tomorrow at the High Water Mark.

This year’s Ceremony of Sludge is a benefit for our local chapters of two  Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette and the ACLU of Oregon. Trudge through some brutal sludge with some sets from Witch Mountain, Troll, Disenchanter, Seattle’s Year of the Cobra, and a comeback after a two year show hiatus from Lamprey. 

Every last bit of money made at the door will be donated to both of these organizations, as will funds made from merch by Cravedog and posters drawn by Oddball Tattoo artist Sarah Crosley, so come show some support. Tickets are on a sliding scale starting at $10. 

If you’re a fan of trippy lo-fi folk rock much like that of, say, Kurt Vile or Kevin Morby, and you’re NOT already listening to Portland’s Jackson Boone, you’re majorly missing out on some serious misty magic. A natural born songwriter, Jackson has been making music and playing festivals around the country since 2014. Today, he’s releasing a new full length and gearing up to hit the road in support of it.

Organic Light Factory was inspired by the continual changes Jackson and his band the Ocean Ghosts experience as a result of their constant songwriting and touring. The songs are like a diary of their journey so far, showing personal transformation as well. "Don’t" and "Mystic Winds (from the East)" are all we’ve heard on it so far, so you’ll have to catch the rest of the tracks at the album release show/tour kickoff.

Head over to Mississippi Studios tonight at 9pm to hear the album performed live and in full, say goodbye the band and catch some sets from Cat Hoch, Sinless and Wave Action as well. 

Portland via Queens, NY songstress Ashley Xtina is veering from her usual piano ballad beat to try her hand at a more dancier genre, and the outcome is ripe for repeated play.

The Game is Ashley Xtina’s electropop endeavor that’s already given us the incredibly catchy "Frozen In Time," which has received much deserved attention from radio stations from here to Sweden. On this International Women’s Day, she’s dropping the second single from the album, titled "Gone," and the way its synthy ’90s dance styles showcase her vocal ability is sure to make this one another hit to add to her list.

Give "Gone" a listen below, and be sure to catch Ashley Xtina’s next performance at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser at Portland Saturday Market July 8-9. You could also meet Ashley at any of her #WCW (Woman Crush Wednesday) events, which are monthly showcases at the Jade Lounge that feature Portland’s, and soon to be New York’s and Nashville’s, diverse and talented female musicians. 

Deli Portlanders,

It’s been a months long road in the process of nominating and voting on who all of you feel are the city’s best musicians for the year. After thinking back on all the shows played and albums released from 2016, we’ve finally got a solid list of Portland’s finest. Take a gander at who you all fell for (and just how much you fell for them), while also showing some love to yourselves and the lovely jurors that participated.

Thanks to our jurors: Linneas Boland-Godbey (Next Northwest), Aaron Sharpsteen (Photographer), Tony Prato (Bunk Bar), Duffy Rongiiland (Gnar Tapes), Rob Cullivan (Portland Tribune), Leigh Belacic (PDX Pop Now), Jeni Wren Stottrup (Gritty Birds Podcast), Annie Ostrowski (Riot Act Media), Blake Hickman (Good Cheer Records), Clifford Prince King (Photographer), Mo Troper (Impose Magazine/Portland Mercury), Chad Davis (Musician), Jordan Stamm (Drunk Dial Records), Hunter Skowron (Dazzleships Records), Todd Walberg (Photographer), Yousef Hatlani (Faces on the Radio), Corbin Corbinn (Crush House/Photographer), and Andrew Olson (dr0ne PR).

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty of what you all have been waiting for…

Lithics

Lithics exude mystery. From their experimental punk drone to their intentional lack of an internet presence, they’re the band you may not have known existed until you saw them accidentally. They’ve been coasting in Portland’s formerly under-appreciated but always DIY post/art punk scene for almost three years now with just two releases under their belt. Their three track, self-titled tape from 2015 gave us a taste, but it was their 2016 release Borrowed Floors that helped propel them into being Portland’s best band of the year.

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2. Cat Hoch

This isn’t the first success Cat Hoch and her band have experienced with the Deli. She came out on top entirely in 2015, when she was voted the Best Emerging Artist of that year and was the readers’ choice for best in shoegaze and psych rock for this year. From opening up for Ride to commanding even bigger stages, Cat Hoch and her talented group of musicians aren’t stopping anytime soon.

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3. Abronia

Ambiently soft yet broodingly heavy, Abronia have expanded their lineup to match their beautifully atmospheric and expansive sound. Our overall pick for best in electronic and experimental and perfect for moments of mental reflection (but easy to enjoy in damn near every other scenario), Abronia’s dominanation of the experimental side of the poll makes total sense, and we can’t wait to hear new releases from them.

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4. Ice Queens (Alt Rock/Metal, 7pts)

5. Fur Coats (Hip Hop/R&B, 6pts)

6. The Toads (Indie Rock/Post-Punk, 6pts)

7. Mr. Wrong (Punk/Garage, 6pts)

8. Shrine of the Serpent (Alt Rock/Metal, 5.5pts)

9. A Volcano (Alt Rock/Metal, 5pts)

10. dolphin midwives (Electronic/Experimental, 5pts)

11. Gold Casio (Electronic/Experimental, 5pts)

12. Chanti Darling (Hip Hop/R&B, 5pts)

13. Lola Buzzkill (Hip Hop/R&B, 5pts)

14. Laura Palmer’s Death Parade (Psych/Shoegaze, 5pts)

15. Wave Action (Punk/Garage, 5pts)

16. Donte Thomas (Hip Hop/R&B, 4pts)

17. Little Star (Indie Pop, 4pts)

18. Candace (Psych/Shoegaze, 4pts)

19. Zozma (Psych/Shoegaze, 4pts)

20. On drugs (Punk/Garage, 4pts)

21. James Curry IV (Electronic/Experimental, 3.5pts)

22. Mini Blinds (Indie Pop, 3.5pts)

Despite the late announcement, we’ve got the winners of our "Best Of" poll ripe and ready for their Deli Portland chart debut. In who all of you considered to be the best in local offerings of metal and alternative rock, let’s say a big ol’ congratulations to Shrine of the Serpent and Ice Queens.

Tallying the most adoration from both our jurors and our readers, Shrine of the Serpent melds death and black metal with all the gloom of sludgey doom that anyone could ever ask for. Though they’ve only one self-titled EP under their belt, Shrine of the Serpent has reaped much deserved acclaim from labels like Parasitic Records and Memento Mori. It makes sense, given their triad of members boast resumes including Tenspeed Warlock, Graves at Sea and Sod Hauler as past projects. Let’s hope we see a new release from them soon.

Locals’ hearts are filled with love for Ice Queens, who won our Deli readers’ poll by a landslide. It was just over two years ago when an admiration for rambling ’90s rock brought Minden‘s Evan Houston (guitar) and James Taylor (bass) together with the bearded force of Brandon Nikola on drums and vocalist/guitarist Edgar McRae, eventually breeding their sound salute to the style. Their celebration of syncopation of that decade makes for a captivating performance, with their next one being next month at the Turn Turn Turn.

*photo by John Keel

MOGO Fest wouldn’t be a definitive Portland faction without a little bit of psychy garage. Veronica Booking is handing this arena for the festival, with one of her bills being one of our picks for today’s festivities. 

On tonight’s bill at Dante’s, the self proclaimed dancey "trash jewel" output of ’60s throwback band The Pynnacles headlines this night of psychedelic pleasantry. This is also somewhat of a "welcome back" show for progressive stoner rock group Cambrian Explosion, who have been on the road for much of February. Rounding out this nod of a classic night is some space rock from LiquidLight, who came out on top in our Best of 2015 readers’ poll. 

Dante’s is sure to transform into a land of trippy lights, so come prepared to be immersed in impressive soundscapes and colorful visuals. Music starts at 9pm, with tickets running $10.

 Our next choice in MOGO Fest offerings comes by way of a show curated by the festival’s designated hip hop and R&B specialists, The Thesis, which is a series of showcases centered around the genre co-sponsored by We Out Here Magazine and XRAY.fm. Each performer and DJ on this bill has a cultural tie back to Africa, which is something important to celebrate now more than ever in recent times.

Blossom‘s music beginnings date back to age 12, where the Trinidad & Tibego made Keisha Chiddick played alongside her uncle’s steel drum band. Fast forward to now, where Chiddick’s meaningful neo-soul work under her floral moniker has added such beautiful light to Portland’s underground. 

Coming from Ibadan, Nigeria, Sifter‘s migration to United States almost a decade ago was in pursuit of furthering his work as an artist, as well as taking his singing career to the next step. He started recognizing his abilities also at age 12, while singing in his church’s choir. Now, he’s signed to Nigerian based label Bugatti Recording Group. ISSA‘s (or I$$A) time in the states has been in the same vein, taking creative inspiration from his home of Dakar, Senegal. Growing up speaking French and loving American and European takes on hip hop and R&B along with other island types of music have breathed extra life into I$$A’s vision.

Spinning at this show comes from the Afro-Caribbean, dance and house stylings of Valan Primus (aka DJ Pr11me) and Crate Diggers host and DJ to Portland rapper Tope, Verbz. With so many cultural vibes flowing from this bill, it’s impossible for it to not be a good time.

Be at Dante’s by 9pm tonight to catch everything as it starts. Tickets are $10 and this show is of course 21+.

 In just its second year, MOGO Fest is beginning to make a name for itself in Portland’s fairly large market of music festivals big and small. For the next two days, cleverly curated shows will be taking place around town spanning genres from jazz to psych and indie rock, so we’ll be picking out a couple shows at the top of our list. Be sure to check out ALL of MOGO Fest’s happenings over at their website, since there’s something for everyone!

Our first choice is curated by Rola Music, who has taken care of booking all the indie and pop styles for the fest. Soulful r&b psych will be coming from our readers’ poll winners for Best of 2017 The Fur Coats. This is their second to last show before they leave on their European tour, so they’ll be sharing some new songs as they prep for the road.

Playing with them is the dreamy sludgepop of KING WHO (formally Us Lights), fit with brooding synths and layered soundscapes that help the mind escape. Along with the high energy heaviness of Enjoy Things and this show is surely something to enjoy.

This 21+ show starts at 9pm at Alberta Street Pub, with tickets running $7 a piece.

Since Dan Dan won our Artist of the Month poll back in October, they’ve instrumentally crawled deeper into our hearts with their synthy electro-rock. When we first heard of them, we itched to take in every last bit of Dan Dan’s creations like rays of sunlight providing all of that necessary Vitamin Dan. They’ve since released a couple of new tracks and have been play a grip more shows, one of each recently warming are hearts.

Dan Dan just shared "Swimsuit Season" with us no more than a day ago and it’s already sparked endless dreams of hot weather, sandy beaches and fun in the sun. Their use of synths, vocoder and an addicting drum beat on the track provide an endless allure that makes you want to play it on repeat.

Here’s to hoping they’ll play it at their next show, a benefit for the ACLU and the White Helmets fighting for what’s right over in Syria. Also set to play this benefit, taking place this Friday at Valentines, is Lavender Flu and Pathogens. Tickets are on a sliding scale of $5 to whatever you can afford and music starts at 9pm.

Enjoy "Swimsuit Season" below.

Devy Metal may be somewhat new as a band, but they come with all the spirit and vigor as seasoned vets. They’ve got a couple singles out now ("Greenleaf," "Baptism" and a cover of "Tempted" by Squeeze), but they’re releasing a mystery single with us all tomorrow as part of their Sunday Sessions at Rontoms with And And And.

As always, Rontoms Sunday Sessions are free, so come here Devy Metal’s new track and some Portland favorites in And And And. Check out Devy Metal’s live recording of "Tempted" for Noise & Color‘s Cake Away Show below.

Devy Metal – Tempted (Squeeze Cover) from The Cake Away Show from Devy Metal on Vimeo.

The Spare Room on NE 42nd doesn’t do many shows but when they do, they’re worth checking out. Tonight’s show will be eclectic, fun and free, which are the three best qualities a show could possible offer.

We’re finally getting The Wild Body EP release we’ve all been waiting for. The cassette will come with quite a few versions of artwork to choose from, so if you find yourself a fan of their experimental post-punkcore dream rock (which you should be), you’ll have your pick of the litter while supplies last, of course!

A bit of fun from Karaoke Star, the improv project from Cat Hoch and Bryson Cone, will be kicking off tonight’s entertainment, with the gazey garage stylings of The Tamed West closing the night out.

Music starts at 9pm, so be sure to show up on time before the place packs up!