There’s something about Old Light’s inherent need to experiment that keeps the listener intrigued in each moment of their sweeping, unbridled compositions. For every two steps into the psychedelic they take one step back into a more accessible territory, resulting in an effect that could bring the most tentative listener into a hypnotic, hallucinatory state. YES, their most recent release, is filled with such moments. Harmonies are broken between soft vocals and reverb drenched guitar tones, coloring even the most disorienting moments with a certain pop appeal. Old Light will be playing at Dante’s this Friday night as part of MFNW with La Luz, Mike Donavan and Ty Segall, catch their set at 10 pm. – Benjamin Toledo

Minden, one of the most soulful bands that Portland has seen in a long while, makes its MFNW debut tonight at Branx. Their songs are complex and involve many different arrangements with their two singers. The distinct keyboard sound brings a 70s pop feel that the drummer turns it into rock. This band may or may not be the result of seven children not listening to their gospel choir teacher, I wouldn’t know because their bio only says that “none of them have tattoos.” Nonetheless, these Kansas City transplants know how to put together conceptualized songs and can play them with fun energy that can even make a PBR spokesperson dance. – Colin Hudson

Sun Angle, possibly the most musically diverse experimental act in town, are earning a reputation for putting on a one-of-a-kind live show. Between the driving nature of their compositions, the vivid energy they put into each movement and the amusingly disorienting content of their stage banter it’s hard to find a more intriguing performance. Indie-rock, latin jazz and punk influences intersect with a sound I can only describe as psychoactive to make songs that feel completely unique. The musicianship is admirable throughout, the interplay between the kinetic rhythms and the heavily affected melodies create an enticing result. You can catch their set tonight at Mississippi Studios as part of Musicfest Northwest, they go on at 10. – Benjamin Toledo

Ian Mackintosh and Ben Braun have their roots in Rip City, coming together to create sweet-synthed electro-pop as Mackintosh Braun. Their two albums The Sound, and Where We Are are full of ultra harmonized charm. There is a degree of comparison to Hall & Oates, aside from the combined last names. Braun’s father was a long-time drummer for the aforementioned duo, and sometimes lays down heavy beats to gravitate Ian and Ben’s atmospheric style. There is a glint of new wave, contrasted with vivid, snappy club notes. Strong hooks and flowing melodies can cause closed eyes and closer dancing. They take the spot as local openers for Rush Midnight and Gold Fields tonight at Mississippi Studios, with tracks to share from a third album on the way. – Brandy Crowe

When it comes to PDX rap group TxE, I would hesitate to classify their tunes as rap due to its clear influence from old school hip hop. Samples from Biggie are no surprise in their music because it is focused on poignant lyrics with solid delivery. The grooves are mellow with traces of soul and are mixed together to uplift the beat into a danceable track. Most people do not correlate hip hop with Portland, but TxE (consisting of members Calvin, Epp, and Tope) can hold their own with some of the best in the country. By sharing stages with the likes of Lil Wayne and Macklemore they have proven that good verses can travel far and wide, especially if you know how to throw them down. TxE are taking part in MFNW at the Hawthorne Theater for a rappers showcase tonight. – Colin Hudson

The Deli Portland is hosting a summer celebration on Saturday, September 7th to showcase some of our favorite acts in town to music enthusiasts celebrating Portland’s most extravagant week of live music. Drop in at Kelly’s Olympian from 2 pm to 7 pm to see lively sets from Jacob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners, The Quick & Easy Boys, Otis Heat, Tango Alpha Tango and Mister Tang. All that delicious music for the incredibly reasonable price of absolutely free, see you there!

Next week could easily be dubbed Portland’s biggest music week of the year as a plethora of national acts descend upon our city for the five-day festival known as MusicFest Northwest. Amongst the packs of music enthusiasts traversing the downtown area, many rising names in the Portland music scene will be taking part in the celebration. Over the next week we’ll be previewing some of our favorite local bands, letting you know why we love them and where you can check them out next week. Keep your eye on the Deli for our local picks, and learn more about the festival and see the full lineup here. It’s going to be an awesome week.   

Dresses have spent the summer building momentum, spreading their indie-pop gems across the west coast and charming audiences with their bright compositions and heartwarming harmonies. Looks like all their work has paid off, as Dresses have just signed to SideOneDummy Records. The label will be releasing their new Sun Shy EP on CD and vinyl October 22nd and on Itunes September 3rd. This couldn’t have come to a more joyous, endearing and deserving duo; this will surely expand their audience exponentially and bring greater recognition to their upbeat anthems. Congratulations on the signing, Dresses, we can’t wait to see where your musical journey leads you next. – Benjamin Toledo

Typhoon, the Portland based indie rock band, is a dominating presence on stage in both numbers (hovering around 12 members) and in powerful songs, weaving together somber lyrics that manage to sound celebratory. The ever surprising arrangements found on White Lighter, Typhoon’s just released second album, highlight the lyrical and musical skill of frontman Kyle Morton. On August 21 Morton flawlessly lead Typhoon through several of the bands new songs at Kink’s Bing Lounge and proved that the band is a force on stage as well as in the studio. This band has the skill to translate songs from the album to the stage in a powerful way. Be sure to catch the 22 minute live act on the Bing website and take in the epic horn section, delicate strings, and revival feel that was in the room for yourself. Better yet? Make the drive to Seattle on September 10th and catch them at The Crocodile with 1939 Ensemble. – Joy Pearson 

Watch the full performance here

Flight 64 Printmaking Studio has put together a show that is sure to be one of the highlights of the summer, featuring Magic Mouth and Onuinu. After an energetic performance at PDX Pop Now!, Magic Mouth has been taking the Portland music scene by storm. Their sound is composed of Motown and a little bit of hip hop, but is grounded in raw rock and roll. They thrive with an unspeakable amount of band chemistry that lasts from the first note to the last. Onuinu has made a name for himself in the past few years as a producer and now has a backing band to complete the music. The songs have a vibe similar to chillwave, but dive in and out of smooth rock and always often land in an a futuristic soul groove that will make you dance. Head to Alberta Rose Theater this Friday to do just that. – Colin Hudson

The alt-country stylings of Northern Currents possess a genuine, cathartic quality that is displayed clearly by their latest release, Raven and the Magic Pill. Raspy vocals move between twangy guitars, distorted riffs, and racing rhythms that punctuate the transparent emotion contained within each dynamic composition. The lyricism is strong throughout, particularly on the title track. The descriptive language captures a tone that is as candid as it is poetic. The energetic closer, "Minnesota," is another highlight. Its anthemic chorus is reminiscent of something you’d sing without inhibition while raising a glass with close friends. You can listen to Raven and the Magic Pill in its entirety on Northern Currents’ bandcamp page, be sure to keep an eye on their facebook page for upcoming performances as well. – Benjamin Toledo    

The PALS portion of Southeast’s PALS Clubhouse can be an anagram that stands for whatever you imagine (such as "Party and Live Sustainably") aside from the venue’s value of being a hangout for friends and friends of friends of local bands. Basically, the family of roomies in the bungalow are letting you come to their house party. Recently named by Willamette Week as one the the cities best (unlicensed) venues, masses arrive to a home of endless collages and backyard brouhahas that host local bands on an outdoor stage. In celebration of its hospitality and the summer tradition of music fests, PALS gives you PALS FEST 2013. The festival boasts an all day street fair on Saturday with performances from a slew of PALS pals like Tiger House, De La Warr, and Bubble Cats then spreads the love with shows from Sun Angle, Eidolons, Alameda and (too many to list here) in venues across the city throughout the week. BYOB at the clubhouse and bring one to share, gotta pay it forward. – Brandy Crowe