Minden, Moon by You

[RETRO POP] As a chronicler of Portland's music scene, discerning which acts' stars are rising is sometimes just a matter of association: Whom are they playing with? And where are they playing? Case in point: retro-pop six-piece Minden. The group, which relocated from Kansas City, Mo., this summer, recently played one of Rontoms' Sunday Sessions and an unofficial MusicfestNW show with a secret headliner that turned out to be Kishi Bashi. Earlier this month, the band played Doug Fir to celebrate the release of its debut full-length, Exotic Cakes, a daydreamy record of twinkling keys, gauzy vocals and lively percussion. Keep one eye open to watch these guys.