Ever get the feeling of impending invasion when a song starts playing? The newest single "Shakin’ Bones" by Portland-based Mister Tang could be comparable to accidentally opening the door into a meth super-lab, and running away as fast as you can.  With it comes unraveling emotions of intimidation, disorientation and subtle aggression. Somehow, this song walks the fine line of echoing 1960s garage rock without crossing over to mimic it entirely. Tang’s screeching "I wanted it all" over and over again brings the listener back to reality and away from the invasion. You’re left realizing that we’re all in this together.

– Colette Pomerleau

After a rocking two week campaign, Cambrian Explosion and their bluesy waves of ethereal psych-rock have claimed victory in our latest Artist of the Month Poll. Their songs move like living organisms, crawling through vivid soundscapes built upon swelling guitar leads, crisp rhythms and textured organ drones. You can dance along with their psychedelic creations for yourself by listening  their latest release, The Sun EP on bandcamp. Congrats on winning the poll, Cambrian Explosion, we’re stoked to call you our February Artist of the Month. – Ben Toledo  

Pardon the shameless self-promotion but on Tuesday March 4, my very own band The We Shared Milk will share the stage at the Doug Fir Lounge with local drunken-power-pop favorites And And And, and Chicago’s experimental-math-popsters Maps & Atlases who will have a new album out April 17th. The show is part of a Red Bull sponsored concert series, Sound Select Presents: Portland, and the night’s lineup was curated by one of indy rock’s finest acts and certainly one of he biggest bands to come out of Portland, Portugal. The Man. 

RSVP here for get into the show for $3. Doors at 8pm, but arrive early as the space will likely fill up quickly. – Travis Leipzig

MarchFourth Marching Band is, of course, named for the date they began. It was the last time Fat Tuesday fell on the date eleven years ago in 2003. After throwing their first Mardi Gras party full of romping beats and brass, burlesque and revamped vaudeville, the group of 15-20 members did march forth.

Use the Internet to your advantage while perusing new music and things get weird. Type in "Rio Grands" to find mostly extraneous information. Learn about that 1950s movie and the long river nowhere near the Pacific Northwest. After browsing menus from steakhouses and Mexican restaurants, the light at the end of the tunnel is gleaming so close you can feel it. That light translates well once the music starts. Rio Grands have already found a way to channel sunny and approachable vibes despite the conflicting surroundings. Close your eyes and imagine thriving beach parties. This Sunday, that party will take the form of the record release for A-Z at Rontoms, which has been two years in the making. Consider the build up and understand this is not something to be missed. – Colette Pomerleau

NTNT are gearing up for the release of their newest EP, And Then the Moon, this Friday at the Alhambra Theater. The EP has an epic and professional feel that sets it appart from previous releases. With a unique cadence and rhythm bathed in melody and rich sound, each track stands strong on their own. But it’s the great care and thought evident in the lyrics that cause the entire EP to pop. Track three, ‘Getchya So Good’ is mellow like a warm spring day and serves as a great anchor to the more upbeat songs on the album. While NTNT have already made And Then the Moon available online, the EPs official release party is this Friday at Alhambra Theater featuring Rare Monk & Neighbors and is open to all ages. Doors open at 8:30, show starts at 9pm and tickets are $10 at the door, but if you buy two or more tickets in advance (by today, 2.27) they’re only $5 a pop. – Cory Huennekens

In 2009, singer-songwriter Matt Drenik made Portland his home. Along with, he brought a soulful voice that blends perfectly into blues based, alternative rock n roll. Matt did not waste anytime making music in this city and quickly formed Battleme, who are set to release their second album, Future Runs Magnetic on the newly formed label, El Camino Records.

The first, self-titled album is an electric form of its current identity with highly technical productions (produced by Thomas Turner of Ghostland Observatory) and featured a large variety of sounds throughout. The new album has been a work in the making as Matt brought in a team of musicians to form Battleme and evolve the sound into its cohesive alt-rock state.

Future Runs Magnetic starts off with the single, “Just Weight”, a the bass driven ballad with heavy drums that hammer bridges into the chorus and back to the verses. This dictates the pace for the rest of the album, it thrives on layering electric guitars and screeching vocals. The production is raw and clean to the point where you can imagine yourself standing in the studio, watching the recording. The song “We Get Out” starts out with a happy piano riff and then explodes into a rock anthem along the same lines as Andrew WK and you can feel the energy build the whole way through.

As with the first album, it’s Matt’s hollowing voice that ties each song and the entire album together. While the guitars give the sound a post-grunge edge, the vocals show tribute to a classic rock backbone that truly makes for an original sound. The Future Runs Magnetic album release party is taking place at Club 21 this Saturday so come out and see why Portland is lucky to have this band on its roster. – Colin Hudson

The Deli Portland is back at Kelly’s Olympian on March 1st with an delicious night of local music. Opening up the show is Adam Brock 4, who have taken a broad range of musical flavors to cook up a sound that is equal parts folk, indie rock and electronic with a dash of pop for good measure. After simmering in the Portland music scene they’ve cooked a unique sound that’s turning heads wherever they play. Next up is Just Lions, who will bring a tasty, jazz-tinted rock n’ roll jamboree that to leave your ear buds buzzing with excitement. Closing out the show is Hustle and Drone whose sweet, synthesized rhythms and electronic foundation support an undeniably soulful sound. Their live show is electrifying, and not to be missed. Doors open at 8:30 with the music starting up at 9, join the Deli crew at Kelly’s to see some of the bands that help to make Portland’s diverse and flavorful music scene. ¡Viva la musica!

Portland three-piece, Big Haunt, just released their 5-track album, Devotionals, and if I can say one thing, it’s that the band certainly lives up to their name. At the risk of sounding silly, what we have here is some damn spooky indie folk. They tag themselves beneath “dark garden music” which, though cryptic and oddly specific, is fitting for the soundscape they so expertly craft throughout the record. Songs like “Burn Me Up” feature chilling harmonies coupled with ominous lyrical content that practically has you looking over your shoulder for assurance. When front man Lars Ballard sings, “Like a lover on a cold night, death she held me in her arms oh baby,” you damn near have to reach for a night light. “Bitter Water” was my favorite track with a foreboding harmonized refrain like some twisted spiritual to a reverse baptism. Believe me when I say Big Haunt is a welcomed ghost, providing catchy folky tunes that will undoubtedly take up residency in your aural attic space. – Ted Jamison

What has 8 legs, weighs half a ton and sings like John Lennon? Old Age, and they’re releasing their first full- length album, Wildlife this Thursday February 20th at Mississippi Studios.

This is a big deal for those in the know. Considering the explosion of growth Old Age has shown in both their songwriting and live performances throughout the releases of The Whale EP (2011), Ancestors (2012), and The Rain Won’t Ever Come (2013), a first full length recording is certain to blow minds. The album’s nine tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Adam Harney at Deep Search and Flora Studios.

The boys were rad enough to share exclusively with The Deli track 8 off of Wildlife, ‘My Prerogative.’ This is a tune I have had the pleasure of enjoying live somewhere in the double digits, but the recording is on another level. Take a listen for yourself.

Sharing the stage with Old Age Thursday night are the tremendously talented Nick Delffs (of The Shaky Hands, Death Songs and Tiburones) and Paulo Zappoli. I’ll see you there. 

-Travis Leipzig

The Hugs have just released a video to accompany “Let It Go”, a calm and reflective song that explores the emotions that surface as a relationship comes to a close. The video, directed by Sean Allen, features images of the shores on the Willamette beneath an overcast sky that mirror the intonations of vocalist Danny Delegato’s voice as he recites and sings his lyrical content into the camera. Watch the video below and be sure to listen to The Hugs latest album, Love Led You Here, on bandcamp. – Benjamin Toledo

In the epic, two part season finale of the Party Boyz podcast our favorite hosts turn the microphones on each other and we learn a bit about the rad girls (boyz) that make this podcast a possibility. The two brilliantly curated playlists that illustrate the conversation include songs by St. Vincent, Aan, Harlem, The Ghost Ease and a lot more. Listen to the first part below, check out the second part here and be sure to give Party Boyz your attention via facebook to keep up with their latest news. – Ben