For the longest time, hip hop and r&b in Portland were backburner genres to the city’s most popular categories of indie, rock and garage. Things started to change recently, where more artists took to the soulful sounds of rhythm and blues or incorporating the type of woke sensibilities often dropped in bars of hip hop tracks. The results for this round of our poll provide proof of who’s been doing it the best in the last year, so keep scrolling to check them out.

Our top winners, Lola Buzzkill, are a supergroup of sorts dazzling audiences with their soulful croons and rhythmic tendencies. Their live performances integrate incredible makeup and costumes on top of their throwbacks to funky and sultry r&b and disco . They’ve got one of the best interactive live performances in town right now and if you haven’t gotten a chance to see them yet, you’re definitely missing out. Congrats on being our top dogs, Lola Buzzkill!

*video by blueheronvideo

Next is the Fur Coats, who swept the readers’ poll without a hitch. The Fur Coats have been around for a little while now but have nonetheless been one of more dynamic iterations of modern psychedelic soul and mild jazz, using sax and organs in the most savvy of ways. They’ll be heading off for a long tour of Europe and we couldn’t be more excited for them.

Rounding out our winners are Chanti Darling and Karma Rivera, occupying two different sides of the same coin. Chanti Darling basically ran the last year, coming into it named Willamette Week’s Best New Band. Taking over festival stages and running their own dance nights led by powerful vocalist Chanticleer, Chanti Darling mixeds soul, disco and r&b with electronic elements to produce some of the most danciest tunes in town right now. Karma Rivera is the only actual hip hop artist to place, and she one of the best to represent the genre. Her beats are banging as are her rhymes, and her femme power is much needed in music world typically dominated by men.

With the way the world has been going lately, it’s pretty obvious that we’re all incredibly tired. That’s why this track by Deathlist, "Never Been So Tired," is perfect for these feels. 

From their self titled EP from just over a year ago, "Never Been So Tired" echos a depressive exhaustion collectively felt by many, expressed in a few lines worth of lyrics. "In one life I’ve never been so tired/In this one life you never get so tired/and words don’t make me safe, I want a cheap death/Because in this one life I’ve never been so tired."

Relevent in every way possible. You can hopefully catch Deathlist play this song along with some new ones from their upcoming full length (due out in April) tonight at the Fixin’ To with Sunbathe, Polygris and Bohr, or at the new Know on March 3rd with Hurry Up and Panzer Beat.

Dual guitars, primo percussion and an interesting blend of jazz, psych, r&b and indie rock have propelled local trio Astro Tan into the hearts of music lovers around town for the last couple years now. A few EPs here, a couple free released singles there, Astro Tan haven’t given us a full length’s worth of the trippy soul we’ve all been waiting for, until now.

Canary, out today, pulls a few previously released tracks and throws them in with some newer ones like "The Jetsons," a wispily melodic tune relating modern life and love to the animated quips of the old school futuristic cartoon of the same name. It shows Astro Tan taking what they do best to the next level.

Stream Canary below and be sure to check out Astro Tan’s album release show on the 28th at the Doug Fir with Tango Alpha Tango and Taylor Kingman before they head on tour in mid-March.

Tour Dates

2/28/2017 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge (Album Release) w/ Tango Alpha Tango

3/16/2017  Eugene, OR – Hi-Fi Lounge

3/17/2017  Grants Pass, OR – The Haul

3/18/2017  San Francisco, CA – Pianofight

3/19/2017  Reno, NV – St. James Infirmary

3/21/2017  Provo, UT – The BoxCar Studios

3/25/2017  Boise, ID –  Treefort Music Festival  

Those screen savers on the old Microsoft Windows systems used to be the best. So many options to get visually lost in as a child, a stoner or in some people’s cases, both, those screensavers were one of the best things about zoning out and ignoring the "wah wah wahs" of your parents. 

"Transporter," the newest animated video from Strangeletter, the dark alt-rock project from Steven James Bayless, is reminiscent of those zoned out times. While flying under the local radar, Strangeletter has been ascending in success in so many other ways, with his music having been featured in the TV show Firefly, in trailers for PlayStation’s inFamous 2 and more.

Spark up, turn the lights out and get caught up in Strangeletter’s "Transporter" video below. It’s perfect for this drizzly night.

Our more trippy genre poll, psych and shoegaze, ran gazed out slow fuzz with the strange visuals psychedelia forces your mind to make. The two winners all of you felt rocked 2016 honestly come as no surprise, since they’ve been packing venues and mesmerized crowds all throughout the last year. Big congratulations go out to Zozma and Cat Hoch! Both of these names are of course familiar in the Deli Portland world, because our Deli readers have brought them to the top before.

We’ve thought of Zozma as one of the best psych acts in Portland for awhile now. All of you voted them as our Artist of the Month back in September of last year, so seeing them as the winner of our readers’ poll solidifies their stance as the rulers of our spiritual psych world.

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

A collaborative effort from Banana Stand Media and the Portland Mercury, Sound + Vision is a monthly showcase that presents some of the best acts in town. Sound + Vision only began last month and with their second installment happening tonight, the showcases promises a solid duration of enjoyable artists.

In just a couple hours, the best flavor in Dorito pop comes from Cool American, who will be sharing the stage with the softly sad alternative of Boreen and the Malkmus-esque indie of Perfume V. It’s quite a steal when you think about it, seeing these three acts take to the Mississippi Studios stage for free. If Sound + Vision keeps it up, they’ll be seeing growing crowds with each one.

Tonight, come out and enjoy two of the greatest things life has to offer – whiskey and rock music – for free.

Well, the whiskey may not be free, but the music is and that’s where the most enjoyment will come from. Elements of punk, hardcore and doom focalize for Tanker’s first (and possibly last) show, with sets from post-grunge ghost rock duo Glacial Fall, sci-fi hardcore punks 42 Ford Prefect, the ski masked vigor of G*U*N and the good feels of Bad Sex.

A lineup like this guarantees Tanker‘s first show is going to get a bit rowdy, so come prepared to leave with the stench of booze and sweat all over you. Music will start somewhat promptly at 8pm.

It’s about time for us to all get real, dude.

There’s nothing wrong with having lofty dreams and aspirations, just as long as they come with a reality check. Though their name may have been inspired by some wall graffiti in the bathroom of their old practice space, that message is still relevant.

Aside from its bathroom wall writings, it’s thematically written all over the self-titled, debut EP from Get Real. Five songs worth of the band’s fun rock explore living with modest means while coming to terms with one’s own unsavory actions. Sonically, the album blends bits of surf, late 90’s indie and a tinge of garage pop, making for a pleasant way to take in empathetic subject matter.

"The songs are pretty much all about low living. Being fucked up all the time, sleeping with people you have no interest in, fantasies of escaping, feeling trapped in a body and personality you’re not comfortable with," says Get Real frontman Alex Erickson.

Stream their EP below to prep for their release show tonight with Dogheart and Sea Fuzz at the American Legion.

Portland is a city of protesting. Our propensity to come together in revolt against major issues afflcting society is one of the greater characteristics of the city, as is what is offered locally in music. Today, most of the country has been participating in the General Strike against President fuck up Donald Trump prior to Monday’s President’s Day. Those striking haven’t been partaking in any activities, especially ones that benefit the country’s capatlistic benefit. 

For the most part, everyone wants to aid in spreading this message of strong displeasure, which obviously leaves venues with things scheduled today at a bit of an impasse. Northeast all ages venue Turn! Turn! Turn! was presented with this same problem, and has decided to move forward with the great show they have scheduled for tonight, where Blesst Chest, Sad Horse and Lithics are set to play.

On the decision, Turn! Turn! Turn! said:

After much deliberation between Turn! Turn! Turn!, its employees, the bands and others willing to share their input, we have decided to be open and have our show as scheduled February 17, the day of the general strike. This was a difficult decision, as everyone involved with this show sympathizes with the aims of the strike. Ultimately, we had the opportunity to do more good by having the show than not. To that end, we are making the show free so you don’t have to open your wallet. However, we will be accepting donations at the door for IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization) and Portland Homeless Family Solutions. In addition, Turn! will be offering an all-Portland tap list and spirits by Portland distilleries. Those willing and able to spend a few bucks at the bar will also be supporting IRCO and PHFS, as we’ll donate between 25% (for non-donated kegs) and 50% for donated kegs to these organizations. 

End your day of striking the right way by heading up to Northeast Killingsworth with some cash in hand.

 The next few days will be marked by Portland punx Piss Test, who are playing two shows within the next three days. Tomorrow they’ll be hitting up High Water Mark for a Mississippi Studios and Do503 curated show with Memphis riot grrrl revivalists Nots and locals Patsy’s Rats. On Saturday, they’ll be taking the stage again with garage post-punk acts Lunch, Petite and the Bellicose Minds as part of celebrating the latter’s Incision EP release.

Pumping us up for all the upcoming Piss Test punkness, we’ve been repeatedly playing their boisterous love song "Vegan Coffee," coming off their third self titled EP. It’s got an addicting rhythm and enough energy to serve as sonic caffeine itself, making it hard to not want more and more of.

Specializing in the dark swells of rock music’s subgenres, Past Haunts has given XRAY.fm listeners the best in everything from krautrock to coldwave every Monday for the last four years. They’ve hosted some pretty good live shows in their day and their first one of the year is another one to add to the list. Past Haunts is taking over Lovecraft on Friday by joining Portland’s Tender Age with LA’s Drab Majesty, and Soft Metals acting as the artist fulcrum between the two cities.

The slo-fi pop of Tender Age is the perfect sound to fully represent the drizzly minimalism of the Rose City. All three of their releases (comprised of two 7" and an EP) eptiomize noisy soundscapes that are more than easy to get immersed in and this show couldn’t be a better way for them to ring in 2017 with.

Electronic duo Soft Metals have roots here in the Pacific Northwest and SoCal, with their synthesizer sounds indicative of our darkwave scene as well as what’s going on in some of those LA clubs. Rumor has it they’re working some new material, exciting Soft Metals fans who have been craving another release following 2013’s Lenses. Rounded out by the not so drab coldwave of Drab Majesty and this turns into another delightfully dark night at the Lovecraft. 

 *photo by Cary Clarke

As we come to the close of another round of genre polling, this one sees an interesting pair of categories mashing up together in voting. Thinking of indie rock and post-punk in the same light is weird enough, but what isn’t strange is who all of you chose as the winners. We’re pleased to present you with the best in indie rock and post-punk for 2017: Lithics and The Toads.

Lithics are the winners of our overall poll, with much love given to them from our anonymous jurors. They dropped Borrowed Floors last year, along with playing a series of shows throughout the year that made a lasting impression on many of our poll participants. One of their first shows of 2017 will be this Friday with Sad Horse and Blesst Chest at Turn Turn Turn.

The Toads took over the readers’ poll with their fun loving, power pop indie rock without a problem. Theses dudes really know how to write an easily lovable rock song that makes you want to pogo up and down with a huge smile on your face. Always Be Nice, the EP they released in October of last year, is a much needed reminder to spread some love and kindness around. You can check out their lovely live set at Quarterworld on Thursday with Radler.

A more than honorable mention needs to go out to Star Club, who gave The Toads a huge run for their money in the readers’ poll!

	Blowout		3%	10 votes
	Dark/Light		2%	6 votes
	Marcys Band		7%	18 votes
	Lithics		2%	7 votes
	The Century		1%	4 votes
	Star Club		35%	91 votes
	The Toads		45%	115 votes
	Tyrants		1%	4 votes