Looking for the next addition to your music library? Fanno Creek has it covered. Their latest release, Monuments, is a treasure trove of melodic material. The band seems to have found the right ingredients from a variety of genres which produce a tasty sound, indeed. Songs like “Trilithon” are wonderfully simple in content and yet in that simplicity elegant and sweet, but don’t get too settled in, there is more to Fanno Creek than just that. “Page” provides the sour contrast to the sweet songs. It showcases their versatility by incorporating eerie, sweeping sounds that contrast with the more consonant sounds. The sweet & sour combination shows a conscious effort to produce not just good songs but a great album. One of my personal favorites from Monuments is “Bones”. “It has strong late 60’s/early 70’s, almost psychedelic quality to it that make this track very cool. The attention given to each song is evident and the result is a kick ass album. – Cory Huennekens

Aan was my first introduction to the Portland music scene. I remember venturing out into the unknown, alone, struggling to even find the venue. It was hard work, convincing myself to gaze out into a sea of strange faces. When the band started to play, my focus was still and unable to be broken. "Wake Me With A Kiss" brushes a cold, white sheet over your eyelids, enticing you to believe you’re in the scenario of waking up next to someone special on a hazy morning. Bud Wilson’s vocals are something to take note of. Through the curls and the snarls of his intriguing twang, there’s this never-ending maze of new sounds to explore. The lingering bass flirts with a build up, the guitar distantly trickling down your spine. This song posseses a theme true to the entire career of the band; anything is possible. Aan’s enthusiasm for mystification draws in the attention of many, but their incredible talent is responsible for keeping us excited. – Colette Pomerleau

In their debut album, And Now.., The Moonshine have crafted eight songs reminiscent of a trip across country, capturing the beauty of traditional sounds with banjos, fiddles and harmonizing vocal chords. Opening with banjo, stomps and hand claps, “Never Know” starts the album off on an uplifting note; the interplay between the calling vocals leave the listener needing to sing along. This energy moves and transforms to fit into range of folk-inspired song structures, changing in an almost cinematic way. “Hard Times” comes off with an undercurrent of noir, “Shadow Song” as a bluesy and poetic confessional and the powerful closer, “Enough” has enough emotional punch to give you chills. And Now… is an example of the folk genre at its most dynamic, the nostalgic sounds within balanced by a crystal clear production. The next time you’re getting ready for a trip out of town be sure that you have this album to keep you company. – Benjamin Toledo  

After two weeks of promotion and bringing in nearly 500 votes, She’s Not Dead have been chosen as the reader’s pick in our best of 2013 poll. Influences of hard rock, pop punk and alternative music shaped their style and have brought them through a year filled with energetic shows, explosive songs and an ever-expanding fan base. Congratulations on your victory, She’s Not Dead, here’s hoping your next year is even more exciting than your last. – Benjamin Toledo  

Just Lions have brought in a ton support from fans in their second Deli poll (they were our Artist of the Month way back at the beginning of 2013) and have taken silver in the Best of 2013 readers’ choice poll. Their rocking, at times anthemic compositions have worked their way through most every venue in town over the past year and garnered them attention for their dynamic hooks and tight arrangement. Listen to their music below and be sure to keep an eye on them this year; it’s bound to be an exciting one for Just Lions. – Benjamin Toledo

Taking third place in the readers’ choice segment of our year end poll is Adam Brock, who you may recognize as the winner of this year’s open submissions segment. His tasteful blending of indie pop, folk and electronic elements combined with the pristine production of his recordings have brought him support from the Portland music scene (as well as few choice Deli editors across the country) that continues to grow. The creativity contained within his songs may only be exceeded by his passion for the music in general, which has shown through every interaction I’ve ever had with him. Congrats, Adam, may 2014 be your most successful year yet. – Benjamin Toledo

Modern Kin plays Rontoms on the 26th and promises quite the show. Having trimmed from a four to a three-piece in 2012, the group took time to re-orient sonic priorities and spit out a raucous self-titled debut in late 2013 off their own label, Amigo/Amiga. Drummer Jeremiah Hayden claims this was “a record of growth” in which they “wanted to introduce more rhythm and movement in the drums and the bass.” Mission accomplished. Each song is a call to arms, a lesson in combustion, a manifesto to the mundane. In songs like “Unannounced”, singer Drew Grow shout-sings with Win Butler-like vibrato while in “Wicked Crush”, the vocals seep and seethe paired with sinister (yet still catchy) instrumentals. In “Abandon”, Grow wails, “Our desperation isn’t beautiful, but here it is, so let’s say it is.” An apt summary for Modern Kin’s frenzied rock that hits like welcomed pummels to the eardrums. – Ted Jamison

If two Portland bands were born to play shows together, it would be these two. And not because they sound like twin lineups, rather their matching energy and pazazz that pair alongside both bands’ strong, soulful undertones that can give any righteous hipster something to smile about. Minden will start off the night as their soft keyboard, smooth rhythm section, and harmonious back and forth vocals come together with an intriguing complexity that always ends on the right note. Following this, is the root driven rock stars, Magic Mouth. They play funk music with punk attitude and screeching soul-filled vocals with an ability to speak to a crowd through their high energy, fun-filled songs. Both Magic Mouth and Minden are set to have huge years in 2014 plus they both start with “m” so that’s kinda rad too. – Colin Hudson

After nearly a year of developing and growing as a band, Urban Wildlife is ready to release the latest incarnation of their fluorescent indie-folk stylings, a record by the name of Strangers. The eight tracks within carry an emotional depth portrayed through poetic lyricism, swelling instrumentation and Emily Logan’s unwavering vocal melodies. Songs like “Alchemy” and “Salton Sea” descend upon the listener like a fog, with an ethereal air that surrounds their dynamic arrangements. Warm and tranquil sounds produced by “Witchcraft” and the melodic builds of “The Merchant” show the range of Urban Wildlife’s style, which seems to run parallel the range of a human experience. The extremes on either side of their musical spectrum are stitched together by various undefined and unique shades of gray. Urban Wildlife will be celebrating the release of Strangers at the Secret Society on Friday, January 24th, get over to the show to see them at their best. – Benjamin Toledo

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired of waiting for summer to catch loads of rad live music? Beat your boredom this winter busting a move at Big Ass Boombox Portland, which is back with it’s third bringing of bodacious bands and brainy wordsters. This free, two-day festival takes place at five venues downtown (including two all ages venues) and features 40 local bands and 15 litterateurs.

As always, young Jedi, you must choose your own adventure, but here is my tentative agenda for the weekend.

Friday, January 24

Start at the Ash Street Saloon for Hands In at 10:30 pm followed by The Autonomics, then split over to Dante’s to catch some of The No Tomorrow Boys all killer no filler antics at 11:30 pm. Next I’ll either stick around Dante’s for Adventure Galley or head back to Ash Street for Psychomagic, depending on how the substances of the evening grab a hold of me.

Saturday, January 25

This night will get a little weird. Start out at Slabtown (all ages) with The Century at 9:30. Next I’ll head to Ash Street for Coma Serfs at 10:45 pm, then stroll to Kelly’s Olympian for Summer Cannibals at 11:30 pm. For the highlight of the night, I’ll make my way back to Ash Street to watch Old Age at 12:15 am.

Your journey through Big Ass Boom Box may be entirely different than mine. Take a look at the schedule of shenanigans to decide for yourself how you plan to spend the weekend. But don’t be a dummy and not go out, after this it’s back to waiting for summer. – Travis Leipzig

This week we’d like to highlight one of the supporters of our local music scene, Dennise Kowalcyke. She’s the station manager at KZME, a radio station which focuses on playing music from local bands and promoting their art through the airwaves. Ben was able to chat with Dennise about  the station’s history, future goals and their mutual love for rigsketball in an interview filled with insight into how KZME became a staple in our local scene. Read the full interview here!

KZME just launched a fundraiser to help their listener-supported radio going, go here to learn more info and show your support.

Treefort just announced the next list of reasons why you should make the trek to Boise this March to experience what is turning into a staple of the Northwest music scene. Over a dozen of our Portland’s best bands will be joining the spring party including Aan, Sallie Ford, Wooden Indian Burial Ground and a bunch more (see the full list of artists here). Treefort has once again proven its ability to curate a fantastic lineup of music to be presented it in the evolving arts and music scene of Boise, ID. The festival runs March 20-23rd, do yourself a favor and join this year’s festivities. – Benjamin Toledo