The Shivas have come a long way over the years. We’ve seen quite a few albums since the band’s beginning in the early 2000’s, released on labels like the DIY Gnar Tapes and the honored Pacific Northwest reppin’ K Records. Flash forward to present day, where Better Off Dead came out just last month. Their 5th album, Better Off Dead pomps a pastiche of keenly conjured surf rock, tinged with doo-wop and a western twang. Contributing vocals from all members (guitarist Jared Molyneux, drummer Kristin Leonard, bassist Eric Shanafelt and percussionist Ian Hartley) keep the tracks on Better Off Dead varied and harmonious, without sounding bulky or overbuilt. It’s likely they’ll play almost all of the album at its release show tonight, so stream it below and get yourself acquainted ahead of time.

Playing with the Shivas will be Deli Portland Artist of the Month nominees Sculpture Gardens and Cat Hoch, the winner of the Deli Portland’s Best Emerging Artist of 2015 title. This tightly stacked bill is happening at the Doug Fir, with tickets from $8-$12. Doors at 8pm, show set to begin at 9pm. With the serpentine technique of Cat Hoch and the brazen rock pop styled in a 60s-esque fit of Sculpture Gardens, this show will be nothing short of a hella fun time.

-Cervante Pope

I’m trying out another new series here for the Deli Portland called Saturday Night Sounds. With it, I’m hoping to share a chill tune or two to be enjoyed by you doing whatever it is you do on Saturday nights. For its inaugural post, here is "Forced Entry" by Reptaliens. The track dropped some days ago, but I feel it’s the perfect jam for this crisp weekend night. Both main members, Cole and Bambi B., have been literally immersed in various acts around Portland for the last few years. As Reptaliens’ first track, "Forced Entry" conjures colorfully hazed happiness, like a pleasant dream transformed into a song. 

Reptaliens are set to drop a full length, aptly titled Recordings, sometime in the summer of this year. Considering "Forced Entry" as a peek into what Recordings will sound like, we only have great things to look forward to with its release. Enjoy it below.

-Cervante Pope

There’s been quite the buzz flying around the Mt. Portland compilation, and that buzz could not be more warranted. An idea turned reality, solo musician Joel Magid saw how transmuted Portland and its music scene have become, and decided to capture it one track at a time. Featuring 13 of PDX’s most beloved and brightest, like the Century, Talkative and what very well may be the last recording from Grandparents to name a few, the Mt. Portland compilation doesn’t even come off as such thanks to its production. Each original, previously unreleased track was recorded at Buzz or Howl Studios by owner Stan Wright. Though the bands on the comp aren’t bred of the same genre, Wright’s analog recording technique melded each contributed track seamlessly, resulting in a collection that’s more cohesive than just compiled. Both Wright and Magid fronted recording time, pressings and all other costs themselves, keeping the compilation not for profit and free for us to consume.

Stream the compilation below and check out the Mt. Portland release show tomorrow at Rontoms, for free. Performing will be Boone Howard and Michael Finn (the Domestics), Candace, Joel Magid himself and headlined by And And And. 

-Cervante Pope

Oh, the illusive "perfect bill." All venue bookers, show promoters and bands are constantly seeking an unmarred night of cohesive, fluid musical enjoyment. Unfortunately, it’s never as easy to plan as it may seem. Yet last night’s show at the Star Theater proved a successful feat on Portland’s end, hosting a stacked bill comprised of locals LiquidLight and Hollow Sidewalks, and Texas living Future Death and Ringo Deathstarr.

There’s a reason why LiquidLight won the Deli Portland’s Best of 2015 Readers Poll, and they more than validated that victory on the stage. It’s clear that each member of the band knows how to play their respective instrument well, all of them exhibiting a clean and clear mastery without coming off as pompous, only pleasant. You found yourself easily lost in the technical sweeps of both Anthony Medici’s and Cory West’s guitar playing, while Zackary Rodrigues pounded out intricate drum beats with ease. Though he kept it low key towards the back of the stage, you could still feel bassist Gage Dean’s presence strongly as he maintained the songs’ heavy rhythms.

With a slightly differing sound compared to that of LiquidLight, Hollow Sidewalks (pictured above) shared with the audience a different approach to the conventional post-punk form. Lead vocalist Nora Murphy Hughes has a deep and alluring quality to her croon that aids in the band’s signature delivery – psyched out post-punk presented in a mellow and enjoyable fashion. Setting the mood with darkroom hued lights, their music warbled and pulsated through your gut, leaving you wanting more of their short and sweet songs.

Each band played as if they place was packed, and though it wasn’t, that type of vigor is what helps define a good band. Giving their all, both LiquidLight and Hollow Sidewalks truly fit the bill.

-Cervante Pope

If there’s one thing kids need more of in their lives, it’s music. It’s a way for the younger geneation to express themselves – their angst, anguished emotions, disdain for the world they’ll soon have to traverse – music is a neccessity. Yet with music programs in schools across the country steadily falling to shambles, any efforts to keep this outlet available are more than needed, and much appreciated. Music in the Schools is aiming to keep music alive for those under bar age here in Portland. MITS has teamed up with Clinton St. Theater to put on their monthly showcases, spotlighting young bands and opening them to vernal audiences.

Last night’s showcase touted a four band bill with sponsorship from local all ages festival, PDX Pop Now. Opening up the night were the comically clad KULULULU. Part frenzied rock set, part lively performance art piece, dancers ran around the audience as they thrashed about on stage. Undergrads Dad Rock took the sophomore slot. They haven’t even graduated high school, yet last night marked the release of their second album, Papa Defeats the Beast. It’s pleasantly punky, and proof of how musical guidance at a young age can conceive greatness. 

With the second half of the night being dominated by slow rockers Sabonis and closed out by indie loves Just Lions, February’s MITS installment only further ascertains the importance of keeping music open to everyone, regardless of age.

-Cervante Pope

When it comes to having a good time in Portland, we all know who to call. We call the Party Boyz. These two, the delightful duo of Rachel Milbauer and Elizabeth Elder, have been curating shows and parties, and documenting the life of creative Portlanders for some years now. Tonight, they’re releasing "Party Boyz: A Lifestyle Zine Vol. III," which exhibits some of the finest work being created by our locals. From essays to photos to recipes, the magazine features entries from the likes of Sallie Ford, Aan‘s Bud Wilson, Moon By You‘s Kevin Clark and many more. 

The release show is happening tonight at Mississippi Studios with performances by MY BODY, Eyelids and x Hour. Doors open at 8pm and it’s $10 to get in, so stop by, grip your copy of the zine and take in the scene.

-Cervante Pope

If you’re bumming on being alone, or just hate the holiday for the sake of hating things, then bask in the delight that is Candace‘s Valentine’s Day weekend release, Teenage Tragedy. The two song drop consists of hazy bedroom pop covers of "I Wonder If I Care As Much" by The Everly Brothers and "Teen Angel" by Mark Dinnings, executed in a manner that’s both romantically dreamy and gloomily sappy. Whether you’re spending the day single or with a partner, turn out the lights and play Teenage Tragedy on loop. It’s much better than every lame love song on the radio.

-Cervante Pope

Say you’re interested in checking out what’s happening in new music across the nation, then you can turn on any Top 40 station and be incredibly disappointed. Yet, if you are interested in what’s really going on in music, then look no further than a few blocks away from wherever you are in town – at Portland’s underground music scene. Our city is notorious for its eclectic scene and it’s still true that the average Joe (or Jolene) can go out on a Tuesday night and find an act that’s definitely worth seeing for $5 or less. Surprisingly, this really does still happen in PDX despite the number of amazing venues shutting their doors due to rent hikes, condos popping up all over town, and food carts closing down in place of new high rise construction.

If you are looking for a little taste of what PDX was like before it turned into condo-central, then check out the Portland based band, Big Feelings. Their upbeat and lo-fi sound is reminiscent of Camera Obscura, Beat Happening, Magnetic Fields, etc. They’re opening up Hey Lover‘s video premiere show (along with White Glove) Thursday, February 11th, at The Know. The band’s creations are a result of candid, "living room" style collaboration that have been going on for what seems like years. Having three writers who collaborate effortlessly is what gives this group the ability to put each story through their own DIY filter; resulting in music that emphasizes simplicity and the kind of lo-fi grooves that really set the tone for an evening of hanging with your buds and slamming some Old Germans in one of Portland’s hole-in-the-wall dive bars. You can check out Big Feelings’ newest single, "Making Faces," below and be sure to get out and see these guys (and gal) tonight at the Know!

-D.T. Barkness

Let’s say you dig hip-hop and shoegaze, and really wish there was something out there that seamlessly blended them both? Well, if you haven’t dabbled in Force Publique yet, you probably should start now. The duo, consisting of Cassie Graves on guitar and vocals, and James Wayne on synths and MPC, produce such a full sound using only a few tools, eventualizing a sound alike if Beach House were to be a trap band.

The video we’re premiering for Force Publique today is a live performance of their song "Bind," off their latest self-released tape, Bloom. "Bind (Live)" is a colorfully artistic interpretation, with its filming taking place at the Museum of Modern Life in Southeast Portland. The video casts you into an almost psychedelic trance aesthetically, so sit back and trip out with "Bind (Live)" below.

-Cervante Pope

Battleme is one of Portland’s best-kept secrets and it’s honestly a shame. Matt Drenik writes insanely catchy garage rock pulled straight from the 1970’s in a way that is fresh and unique in a city inundated with garage groups. This weekend, Battleme is playing three release shows across the Northwest for their new album, Habitual Love Songs. Habitual Love Songs is an album that immediately calls attention to itself: it’s both fuzzy and refined, heavy and danceable. You could stream Habitual Love Songs online, but what you should do is watch them play live tomorrow, the 11th, at Bunk Bar, in what will likely be your favorite garage-rock show of 2016. 

We’re fans of Mr. Bones at the Deli. Who wouldn’t be? We covered their debut cassette back in February of last year and the first single they shared from their upcoming sophomore effort, due one year after their debut at the end of February. Bites is dropping on the 26th on Good Cheer Records, with the first track off it, "12," premiering on Paste a few days ago. "12" is reminiscent of alternative indie rock from the late 90’s mixed with their already addictive lo-fi fuzz pop. It’s either a song about love or a song about confusion, but either way, it’s a song to be enjoyed. Listen below.

-Cervante Pope

Opposing the conventional instrumental makeup of a band, Human Ottoman devise lively musicanship with Susan Lucia on drums, Grayson Fiske on vibraphone and Matthew Cartmill on cello. The three met each other in college and their shared interest in mingled measures resulted in a self released album, 2014’s Independent Music Award winning Power Baby, and the single they’re bringing to you today. "YDKWH" (standing for "you don’t know what’s happening") is a crazed, frenetic expression of each member’s individual talent. With a video just as vibrantly chaotic as the song itself, Human Ottoman kill it. You can see for yourself with the debut of their new video below, and check out the album it comes off of, Farang.

-Cervante Pope