[August 29th, 2007]

Please note: Some showtimes have been moved. Please check musicfestnw.com for latest showtimes.

5:30 PM

The Bronx

AudioCinema (226 SE Madison, all ages) Free entry with pass, available for free at Jackpot Records on day of show, OR MFNW wristband.

7 PM

Ghostface Killah

Are kids still down with Wu-Tang? They ought to be, because one of the group's greatest members (and arguably its most relevant) is playing for free. Don't miss it. CJ. AudioCinema (226 SE Madison, all ages) Free entry with pass, available for free at Jackpot Records on day of show, OR MFNW wristband.

8 PM

DJ GWIZSKI (BETWEEN SETS)

[NOT-SO-FRUITY LOOPS] DJ Gwizski's latest album, Loop Regions, is full of crate-dug soul and jazz samples that crack and pop like heyday Tribe Called Quest or Gang Starr records. The record is fantastic late-night fare, placing the Gwiz among Portland's beatsmith elite, and his DJ sets highlight the previously laid tracks that got him there. CJ. Fez Ballroom

Green Circles

[GARAGE POP] Green Circles is an Australian outfit that plays throwback garage infused with a healthy dose of pop-punk. Fans of the mod counterculture, the band isn't afraid to drop fashion hints or reference its stylish lifestyle in song. While Green Circles shows a penchant for psychedelia as well, it's more Scooby Doo psychedelic than, you know, taking-lots-of-acid psychedelic. CJ. Fez Ballroom.

Slowhawk

[HARD ROCK] We're not entirely sure if "slowhawk," as a stand-alone term, would better denote an odd haircut or a potentially extinct type of bird. We can assure you, however, that Portland's Slowhawk is a hard-hitting trio that plays metallic punk in the grand tradition of local legends Poison Idea and contemporaries Diesto. DAC. Hawthorne Theatre.

THE HEAVY HEARTS

[ROCK] Seattle-based quartet the Heavy Hearts plays the kind of slow-burning indie rock that calls to mind Yo La Tengo's more rockin' escapades or Versus' heavier moments—until it explodes. At its most heavy, screamo-inspired moments, the band's brash vocals and soaring guitars come closer to Drive Like Jehu or even the Pixies. And, like said predecessors, the whole affair is locked down by a heavy, pounding rhythm section. AM. Kelly's Olympian.

DJ Beyonda

[HIP-HOP & THEN SOME] DJ Beyonda's skills occasionally take a backseat to her gender when she comes up in the press, so let's skip straight to the music: Aside from being a fantastic, trainwreck-free DJ, Beyonda is a collector and purveyor of beats from the four corners of the world. On her latest mix (check it through Beyonda's MySpace page), she blends crackling old soul with pulsing electro, '80s club bangers, a bitchin' German disco track and a Laurie Anderson remix. Expect mostly hip-hop tonight, but Beyonda certainly doesn't mind throwing a curveball every now and again. CJ. Roseland Theater.

Siren's Echo (8:30 PM)

[HIP-HOP] I've never seen Siren's Echo (the duo MCs Syndel and Toni Hill) fake it. There is a conviction behind these ladies' words that sounds fresh with every performance. While SE is primarily a hip-hop outfit, elements of soul, funk and gospel are never too far away. That, and the MCs' willingness to leave their hearts on the stage, makes it easy to connect with Portland's first ladies of hip-hop. CJ. Roseland Theater.

Dirty Mittens

[INDIE POP] This Portland three-piece, fronted by small-but-powerful ex-WW intern Chelsea Morrisey, derives influences from all over the musical map—from doo-wop to lo-fi indie-pop to shoegazing rock and back again. But what defines Dirty Mittens is its knack for a great pop riff, like that of should-be hit "Walking Home Happy," whose combination of a catchy drum beat and an infectious keyboard jangle will have you, well, walking home happy. DCC. Satyricon.

Leigh Marble

[SINGER-SONGWRITER] Leigh Marble's "Baby Ruth" is one of the best girl-done-me-wrong songs I've heard in a long time, but this local singer-songwriter doesn't stop at heartbreaking tales of lost love. Taking a tip from the book of Wilco, Marble infuses his folk-pop with a wry sense of humor and just enough grit to make you feel a little uncomfortable (in a good, good way). AM. Slabtown.

Ferraby Lionheart

Crystal Ballroom (8:15 pm)

9 PM

Drunken Prayer

[HARD COUNTRY] The dark mood of Drunken Prayer's country-folk hybrid is amplified by its modern spurts of electric chords and primal drumming. Songs of death and demons pack an old-timey wallop, but they also explode into aggressive rock, creating a psychobilly celebration of whiskey, murder and, sometimes, simple bliss. AK. Ash Street Saloon.

Herman Jolly

[BEDROOM FOLK-POP] Itinerant Northwesterner and former Sunset Valley frontman Herman Jolly indulges folky passions with an established solo career that's worlds away from the sugary rock of his former group. Deceptively simple with intimate, fragile vocals, Jolly avoids the preciousness of most bedroom music through gently propulsive pop frameworks that enliven an endless Sunday-afternoon soundscape. JH. Berbati's Pan.

The Brunettes

[BREEZY INDIE-POP] See spotlight. Crystal Ballroom.

The Blakes

[BIG RIFFIN' ROCK] In the grand tradition of mindless party bands like Jet, the Flaming Sideburns and the Hellacopters, Seattle trio the Blakes exists almost purely on big riffs, cocky posturing and songs about drugs. And though it cites pretty much every hard-rock staple as an influence, the band's jagged rock and throaty vocals sit pretty comfortably among brash rock contemporaries like the White Stripes or Murder City Devils. JED. Dante's.

Fist Fite

[SYNTH PUNK] Though some of Fist Fite's keyboard sounds are damn close to bleeps from the original Legend of Zelda, this is not a two-bit eight-bit band. Vocalist Jonnie Monroe slides effortlessly from seductive chirp to rock howl, all while doing a spazzy tap dance across the stage. And Christian Carmine's pummeling of the boom booms has enough punch to make you blink on beat and a fluidity yet unmatched by any machine. JS. Doug Fir.

The Sun the Sea

[EBB-'N'-FLOW ROCK] The Sun the Sea plays a sweeping, atmospheric brand of rock that suits its name perfectly. Even at its most straightforward, the quartet beckons comparisons to Radiohead, a band that's not exactly straightforward. Tracks like "Surgical," off the band's self-titled EP, shuffle bashfully toward catchy, but the Portland outfit's hypnotic washes of folk-influenced sound are most often just as subtly transfixing as, well, the sun or the sea. AM. Fez Ballroom.

Black Elk

[HEAVY ROCK] While the apocalyptic charge opening Black Elk's self-titled debut drew sweaty, black-clad rockers across the nation to join its growing legions, the guys in this Portland quartet are far more than metal savants. Borne upon Erik Trammell's unsurpassed fretwork and Tom Glose's ripped vocals—growling shrieks chockablock with trad-rock sing-shouts—the Elk's sea-change dynamics and sheer musicianship force appreciation apart from the none-more-heavy riffage. JH. Hawthorne Theatre.

DJs E3, the Incredible Kid, Anjali & Sujinho

[WORLD DJ] The Atlas crew of E3, the Incredible Kid and Anjali are well known around Portland for their monthly DJ night—the longest running at Holocene—on which they spin far-Eastern genres (though mostly dance and electronic at heart) imported from India, Cambodia and beyond. For MusicfestNW, they've brought in the baile funk of guest DJ Sujinho, to boot. MB. Holocene.

Cabinessence

[PSYCH COUNTRY] Like any psychedelic band worth its roach clips, Cabinessence pairs a lot of rock with a little country to craft its blissfully upbeat tunes. Each of the local band's Prozac-y songs is loaded with sing-along choruses and gleefully high-end vocals that evoke more than a little John Lennon-inspired whimsy. AK. Jimmy Mak's.

Das Llamas

[EXPERIMENTAL ROCK] Das Llamas' seething guitars and Ian Curtis-esque vocals turned to "11" conjure something far beyond what you'd expect from the average Joy Division-influenced rock band. At times brooding, at times just plain rawkus, the quartet finds something surprisingly unique given its Seattle roots—roots now tragically known for sprouting derivative bands by the trainload. MB. Kelly's Olympian.

THE COOL KIDS (9:15 PM)

[BOUNCY CRUNK] The Cool Kids mix filthy southern crunk with De La Soul-era descriptive lines and bouncy-ball flow. On "Black Mags," the duo raps over a slowed vocal sample about its pimped out...bicycle. "I got two pegs on the back/ And you got two legs under your skirt, so hop." Any old-school heads looking to find a bridge to the rap of today ought to hop on the Cool Kids' pegs, and enjoy the ride. CJ. Roseland Theater.

White Rainbow

[PSYCH IMPROV] Adam Forkner, a.k.a. White Rainbow, is to electronics what Rothko was to painting: blissfully minimalist and freakin' ?spiritual. The sounds Forkner elicits from electric guitar, effects pedals and noise makers aplenty span from quiet mumblings to tribal ambience, delicately building into shimmering, euphoric, gospel-y noise. Prep for a psychotropic trance that will vibrate in your skull for days. AS. Satyricon.

Lael Alderman

[FOLK POP] Though local songwriter Lael Alderman cites the "holy trinity of Pauls" (Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller) as influences on his MySpace page, his slightly dark, orchestral sound and acute, dramatic vocals are awfully reminiscent of Andrew Bird. But Alderman isn't afraid to rock, either, and the shuffling beats and forward energy of his momentous pop songs bear no stamp but his own. AM. Slabtown.

Ethan Rose

[AMBIENT] Musique concrète for worn souls, the ambient passageways of Ethan Rose are one of Portland's greatest musical treasures. Through layers and layers of effects and delays, Rose turns oddities like player pianos, music boxes and church bells into gurgling, slowly chiming works of wonder that still manage to sing. His most recent release, Ceiling Songs, made up much of the soundtrack to Gus Van Sant's latest film, Paranoid Park. MB. Towne Lounge.

10 PM

The Dt's

[GARAGE ROCK] Founded by Dave Crider, head honcho at venerable NW garage punk label Estrus, the Dt's sound is full of just what you'd expect: hard-hitting drums and furious guitar work. The pleasant surprise is vocalist Diana Young-Blanchard, who sounds like a more believable version of that chick from the Detroit Cobras. JED. Ash Street Saloon.

Damien Jurado

[FOLK] Seattle's Damien Jurado knows how to tell a story, and not just with his loss-themed lyrics. The Seattle songwriter's meandering guitar and hypnotizing voice, too, draw you into a world where loved ones lose their minds and lovers walk desert highways. Jurado is definitely not the music of choice for smiling, happy people—but his tunes might make your life look better by comparison. PR. Berbati's Pan.

Eugene Mirman

[ABSURD COMEDY] OK, New York comedian Eugene Mirman isn't exactly a musical act, but he's earned a cult following opening for folks like Yo La Tengo and Modest Mouse. And he sometimes sings, as does the creepy "Crooning Child" on his website (whose rendition of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" is surprisingly scary). Most importantly, Mirman is hilarious, subversive and bizarre—and that alone could qualify him as a rocker. AK. Crystal Ballroom.

Loch Lomond

[OLD-WORLD FOLK] Somewhere in the misty chamber-pop wilderness between the territories of the Arcade Fire and the Decemberists falls Loch Lomond, which builds luscious and cinematic landscapes that are almost shockingly lovely. The lyrics work under their own internal dream logic, and the orchestral instruments, saw and theremin are ably held together by Ritchie Young's soaring, fragile voice. BS. Dante's.

Pseudosix

[INDIE ROCK] Pseudosix will get under your skin. Haunting vocals, subtle guitar crescendos and a one-woman string section (Kate O'Brien plays both cello and violin) make this Portland band hard to shake off. You might not find yourself humming its slow and pensive songs, but you'll ache for more vocal harmonies like the ones on standout tune "Under the Waves." PR. Doug Fir.

The Heavenly States

[PUNK POP] Oakland's Heavenly States extricates shards of hardcore and Modern Lovers-style punk from their respective genres without actually smashing any instruments or contracting STDs along the way. The band's song structures often follow pop blueprints, with frontman Ted Nesseth's vocals covering love and politics in equal measure, while recalling a young Dave Grohl. CJ. Fez Ballroom.

Thrones

[TOTAL HEAVINESS] Q: If you were the bass player in the Melvins and then played in Earth, what the fuck would you do next? A: You'd start Thrones. Joe Preston's latest quest for total heaviness is just what you'd expect—bass in the face and completely scary. Oh, and awesome. EB. Hawthorne Theatre.

The Incredible Kid

[WORLD DJ] See Saturday, 9 pm listings. Holocene.

Jonah

[POP] You gotta dig how the wall of sound that Jonah crafts expertly builds in tandem with its pop balladry. The Portland quartet's sparkling songs of love and disappointment should appeal to fans of Coldplay and the Killers, though Jonah occasionally indulges in Queen-style vocals and guitar theatrics, as well. CJ. Jimmy Mak's.

Go Fever

[SHOEGAZIN' PSYCH] Go Fever is a Portland-based trio, not a debilitating illness. Its laconic, hazy retro-rock sound does call to mind the addictive psych-drone of Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Warlocks. The trio is currently completing its debut full-length before taking to the road to spread the fever, so to speak. DCC. Kelly's Olympian.

Lifesavas

[FUNK-HOP] From the anti-arrogant message to DJ Rev. Shine's funkadelic, horn-heavy samples and MC Jumbo's kooky Flava Flav sunglasses, Lifesavas are infectious. Their shows are consistently packed with longtime devotees as well as young faces who prefer a positive rhyme ("We rise 'cuz we gots to shine") and a rump-swaying beat to unfounded preaching and repetitive "hell yeah" nonsense. JM. Roseland Theater.

YACHT

[ELECTRO-POP] Everyone loves the Blow, right? Well, Jona Bechtolt, a.k.a. YACHT, was half of the Blow (the beat-making boy half) until a few months ago. So, is YACHT like the Blow with a boy singing? Sort of. It's way fun, and you can surely dance to it. Plus, there are references to magic. Everyone loves magic. EB. Satyricon.

Tim Seely

[CUT-'N'-PASTE POP] Seattle singer-songwriter Tim Seely he plays pretty, delicate pop embellished with fuzzy bits of noise and bursts of static electricity (think Andrew Kaffer meets old Built to Spill). But the heart of Seely's tunes is his smooth, lofty voice and bright, meandering guitar; those little accoutrements just make the whole package that much more interesting. AM. Slabtown.

Jackie-O Motherfucker

[EXPERIMENTAL] More than a decade into their career, Portland's longtime avant-garde ass-shakers Jackie-O Motherfucker are still at it. As of 2007, founder Tom Greenwood is the only original member, but that's beside the point; the improvisational and collaborative nature of JOMF has ensured that the band stays relevant and sounds different every day. JED. Towne Lounge.

The Morals

[EMO-FOLK] Remember Evan & Jaron, that mid-'90s brother act where one played guitar and they both sang? The Morals are just like that! Except this Portland-based duo is not comprised of brothers—and it doesn't suck ass! Also, Ben and Casey "Moral" (Ben Hubbird and WW assistant music editor Casey Jarman) sometimes employ a bassist and drummer to fill out their heart-on-sleeve songs about karaoke and romance. AB. Tube.

11 PM

LKN

[PROG-GRUNGE] LKN (Lauren K. Newman) is the kind of woman who makes you feel bad about yourself. She landed herself a spot on Willamette Week's Best New Bands list. She's an explosive guitar player, godlike drummer and endlessly powerful singer. She's drawn comparisons to Kurt Cobain. And if she started a new religion, I'd be first to sign up. DCC. Ash Street Saloon.

Jason Lytle (of Grandaddy)

[LONELY PIANO POP] Emerging from the rubble of Grandaddy's drug- and drama-ridden demise, singer-songwriter Jason Lytle is back! His new tunes sounds like a stripped-down, melancholy version of said blip-rock band's, but—even amid achingly lonely piano and acoustic guitar (and, yes, a few computer blips)—Lytle's resilient voice remains a friendly, familiar sound. And since Lytle's MySpace features an acoustic version of "The Group Who Couldn't Say," there's even hope of hearing some Grandaddy songs! AM. Berbati's Pan.

The Helio Sequence

[SPACE ROCK] While fans have been twiddling their thumbs waiting for a new album, electro-space rock outfit the Helio Sequence has been making its television debut on an action sports channel (huh?) and gaining a cult following in L.A. (the hipster enclave of Silver Lake loves 'em). The Beaverton boys will deliver fresh goods this fall, but catching their garage-band excitement and cracked-out arcade noise live is better than instant gratification. JM. Crystal Ballroom.

Patterson Hood (of the Drive-By Truckers)

[SINGER-SONGWRITER] Indie-rock's own Flannery O'Connor, Patterson Hood leaves behind his neo-Southern rock group, Drive-By Truckers, for this solo set. Hood's character studies are unfailingly moving and intelligent, bringing backwoods denizens and Southern schemers into sharp relief. For those allergic to his band's high volume, tonight should provide a quieter opportunity for contemplating Hood's talents. JR. Dante's.

Swan Island

[FEMME METAL] With its big arena sound and theatrical shows, Swan Island has earned every bit of its massive Northwest following. And with crunching metal guitars and songs that veer toward the epic—we're talking massive crescendos and pulsing drums—its explosive sound is a complex and masterful kick in the nuts. AK. Doug Fir.

Saturna

[PSYCH-ROCK] Saturna's "Roll Down" could easily be the backdrop for a Target commercial. And the more you try to repel its catchiness, the more you want to hit repeat. But don't beat yourself up when one of this local quartet's songs get stuck in your head. Their components—Doves' bittersweet melodies and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's so-spacey-it's-almost-British guitar effects—come from good places. JM. Fez Ballroom.

The Bronx

[FEEL-GOOD HARCORE] Take the heavy, slow, cut-with-a-dull-knife sound of mid-career Black Flag, give it a very '90s production, and you've got the Bronx. There's a lot of space between everything—each drum beat, each instrument, is completely clear, mowing down the hairs in your ears one by one. This L.A.-based outfit delivers an unforgiving, energetic, sugar-coated beating. Pleasurably painful. JS. Hawthorne Theatre.

DJ Anjali

[WORLD DJ] See Saturday, 9 pm listings. Holocene.

The Retrofits

[POP] Portland's Retrofits pretty much define adult contemporary. With the look of Il Divo and a sound that melds pop contemporaries the Fray and David Gray, this piano- and violin-laced pop quintet gushes with sweet, saccharine vocals ?and sentimental instrumentation that the ?middle-aged lady set just can't get enough of—take your mom! TR. Jimmy Mak's.

The Ones

[ROCK] One listen to local rockers the Ones and you know these guys just ooze self-confidence. I mean, they pull off '80s-esque guitar licks with ease and absolutely no sense of irony. And since the local three piece is a little bit Southern rock and little bit Rolling Stones, they've gotta trump their own cheesy moments, too. Most of the Ones' lyrics are filler like "Something wrong with my stereo/ Getting signals out of Tokyo"—but they're still undeniably fun. PR. Kelly's Olympian.

Girl Talk

[MASHUP MASTER] See spotlight. Roseland Theater.

The Dirty Projectors

[EXPERIMENTAL FREAK-POP] See spotlight. Satyricon.

American Princes

[INDIE ROCK] The guys in American Princes might hail from Arkansas, but Southern rockers they are not. They're the new royalty of indie rock. After numerous lineup changes, the Princes released sophomore full-length Less and Less earlier this year—and the record's eclectic vocals and melodic guitars may be the best thing to come out of Little Rock since Bill Clinton. PR. Slabtown.

Atole

[INNOVATIVE ELECTRONIC] Atole crafts oft-times light and neurotic soundscapes that weave in and out of organic and computerized warbles and shifts. Experimental but heavily melodic, these boys are pushing the forefront of Portland electronic music even further into the unknown. If you want some damn smart, damn dancey music to energize your night, looks like you've found your band. AS. Towne Lounge.

Sexy Pants

[SEXY IS RIGHT!] There's certainly no shortage of folks deeming themselves sexy these days. But I'll tell ya what's a helluva lot sexier than all those MySpace hoochies: a Portland dance-pop outfit made up of dudes in short shorts singing songs about the fact that they're wearing short shorts! And nevernudes, never fear: Rumor has it the band comes equipped with Speedos "just in case." AM. Tube.

MIDNIGHT

Pierced Arrows

[FOLKSY PUNK] Some Portlanders are still mourning last year's breakup of hometown punk-garage heroes Dead Moon. If they're hoping that Fred and Toody Cole's new band, Pierced Arrows, is Dead Moon Redux, they'll be a little disappointed. While both bands are similar—and combine stripped-down punk with folk and country—they're definitely not the same. But fingers crossed, Pierced Arrows will bust out a Dead Moon classic like "DOA" for old times' sake. PR. Ash Street Saloon.

Okkervil River (12:30 AM)

[FOLK ROCK] See spotlight. Berbati's Pan.

The Thermals

[GARAGE PUNK] There are plenty of reasons to listen to the Thermals: They're a local band done good that consistently crafts punky and loud, catchy tunes. Here's why I listen: short songs. Remember those? If we're all supposed to have ADD by now, then why is everyone writing songs that are so fucking long? Who needs to hear the chorus 10 times? Thank you, Thermals, for making the 50-word blurbs of rock. EB. Crystal Ballroom.

The Minus 5

[ROCK] The Minus 5 is primarily known for its ever-shifting lineup, and MusicfestNW's version of the band should see mainstays Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Ministry's Bill Rieflin joining group founder Scott McCaughey (of the Young Fresh Fellows). Luckily, every incarnation features McCaughey's shrugged-off melodic grandeur and clever lyrics—imagine XTC featuring Beatles-y musings on middle-aged languor. JH. Dante's.

Bobby Conn

[ART ROCK] The enigmatic (yet funky!) Bobby Conn has been spreading his off-kilter pop-rock to listeners for over 10 years now. And he continues to forge a unique blend of Fame-era Bowie, early Prince and Talking Heads art-rock with each album. Conn's latest Thrill Jockey release, King for a Day, is perhaps his most ambitious, written as a soundtrack to a nonexistent film. DAC. Doug Fir.

The Prids

[POST-PUNK] Portland's Prids are a dark post-punk quartet known for a distinctly un-nihilistic dedication to veganism and animal rights. But even if the band's philosophy and brooding sound hint at Morrissey, its latest album, Until the World Is Beautiful, bears more in common with Joy Division than the ol' Mozer. DAC. Fez Ballroom.

DJ Sujinho

[WORLD DJ] See Saturday, 9 pm listings. Holocene.

Climber

[MOODY POP] Somber, eloquent and complex, Climber's electronic lamentations veer toward Thom Yorke's moodier moments. Each song is its own tripped-out dreamscape, with orchestral swells adding density to the already heavy, frequently depressed tone. But, somehow, this Portland quartet's compositions are ultimately uplifting. They hit deep and latch on. AK. ?Jimmy Mak's.

800 Octane

[PUNK] Portland's own 800 Octane is darker than your average punk band. Inspired by the Misfits and b-movies, this band is eminiscent of AFI around the release of Black Sails in the Sunset, It's definitely working that Halloween theme but not quite overplaying it. Let's hope it stays that way, because the world does not need another Davey Havoc. PR. Kelly's Olympian.

Clipse

[DOPE-GAME RAP] See spotlight. Roseland Theater.

Kleveland

[RAWK] Kleveland's garage anthems detail a rawk experience lived too well and frontwoman Stephanie Smith is the perfect poster girl. The local boys in the rhythm section (and new addition Morgan Grace on keyboard and backing vocals) provide support for Smith's tales of excess, but it's her stage to stagger upon. JH. Slabtown.

Quiet & Linger

[DJ DUO] Recently seen co-hostin' such local dance nights as Kulturszene and Nightclubbing, DJ M. Quiet is stormin' Portland's dance floors with sexy and sophisticated beats designed for good-lookin' folks to sleekly jive and jitter to. Tonight's set—with co-DJ Genevieve Delinger (of Jackie-O Motherfucker)—adds a seductive element to Quiet's pristinely engineered electronics. Bones will be a-swayin'. AS. Towne Lounge.

1 AM

The Obituaries

[BLUES-PUNK] See spotlight. Ash Street Saloon.

Richmond Fontaine

[AMERICANA] Plenty of Portland bands (the Shins, Decemberists, et. al) are well on their way to becoming household names in America (at least in under-35 households). But Richmond Fontaine skipped Stateside fame and moved right to receiving acclaim abroad. The band's latest effort, Thirteen Cities, wrapped frontman Willy Vlautin's sonic short stories in such lovely steel guitar- and trumpet-laden country-rock that hip U.K. mag Uncut deemed it an album of the year. JR. Dante's.

Deerhunter

[AMBIENT NOISE] Deerhunter's hype-fueled explosion into indie-household-name status was as odd as it was deserved. The Atlanta five-piece is one of those rare crews that never had a specific genre forced into its head. The result is perfectly ethereal music that transforms from molten pop ambience into shattered, trembling Sonic Youth-esque bloodletting. A truly religious experience. MB. Doug Fir.

Derby

[POP] With its clap-along beats and intricate vocal harmonies, Derby's indie pop is so incredibly soothing that it's easy to get lost in the good vibes. Each song is carefully calibrated to hit all the right notes, and the precision of the three-way harmonies meshes well with songs that jump from laid-back whimsy to all-out pop anthems. AK. Jimmy Mak's.

Amadan

[CELTIC PUNK] If ever there was music to drink your ass off to, it's the fiddle-laced Celtic punk of Amadan. Like the Pogues and Dropkick Murphys before them, Amadan fuses the punk snarl with the sort of Gaelic overtones that make a Guinness go down extra fast. AK. Kelly's Olympian.

Michael Dean Damron & Thee Loyal Bastards

[COUNTRY] When Mike Damron's I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House, called it quits, a whole subset of Portland music fans (let's call 'em shit-kickers) lost their mascots. Damron responded by forming Thee Loyal Bastards, a supergroup including the Wipers' Sam Henry, the Eels' Allen Hunter and Drunken Prayer's Morgan Geer. The Bastards may be a far cry from the SOB's raucous stage show, but the musicianship in Damron's new group is better than ever. Even a shit-kicker has to grow up sometime. CJ. Slabtown.