Over the last half decade tat Portland's And And And has been bumping and grinding, they have become the epicenter of a bubbling scene of melodramatic dark-rock bands that make their home in the city's inner east side.  However, due to family troubles and self-admitted depression bogging down frontman Nathan Baumgartner, the band only managed to release two EPs and a few singles over the last five years. Though they still managed to earn themselves the title of Best New Band in 2011 by the Willamette Week, and are some of the most diversely active and friendly menbers of the local music community as a whole. 

Alas, these Portland staples are finally ready to unveil their long awaited debut full lenth. Out on Party Damage Records, And And And will celebrate release of The Failure on January 15 at Doug Fir with the support of Hosannas and Ah God.  But for now, wet your whistle on their brand new, silly ass hobo-fest of a video for the album's first single, "A Real Case of the Blues." 

- Travis Leipzig 

Tuesday will mark the first headline show at Mississippi Studios for Us Lights. It is also be the kick off of their European tour. Joining them will be Hosannas and Yeah Great Fine, making it yet again a blinding display of the Portland scene.

Yeah Great Fine's fluid polyrhythms lay underneath some seriously catchy pop ditties. Reminiscent of 90s video game themes, these boys will make even the most uptight ears twitch. Their song Manifest Destiny's Child a personal favorite­ because, quite frankly, we could all use a little Beyonce spirit from time to time. Tight harmonies and percussive genius make this a great start to the night. 

Hosannas next with a slightly more ominous tone. These punching drums and distorted whispers of melodies are haunting and thought provoking, and tracks like Cccloud smack with an Art Garfunkel influence that is hard not to love. 

Michael Young's vocals for Us Lights are breathtaking. As rich as Rufus Wainwright, his tone soars over beautiful, classic synth melodies. This five piece produce an incredibly dynamic tease of clean emotive pop. I defy you to not be blown away.

- Jennie Chapman

Photo of Us Lights by Peter Rasmussen

Despite the arguably volatile conditions that have developed around the Portland music community as of late – hyper increased development in inner urban areas displacing low-income artist types and forcing venues to close; increased noise curfew enforcement; obtusely racist police interference with hip hop shows – there is still one beautiful, unalienable force that is overflowing throughout our tired and artistic collective: FRIENDSHIP.

PALS FEST 2014, taking place August 9th through 15th, is the perfect celebration of the friendship that ties together Portland’s musical community, and back for the festival's third year, the lineup couldn’t include any better best-bud-bands. This year, the celebration offers seven crazy nights of music, each at a different venue across town and curated by different local tastemakers, and all free or $5 entry. However, if you’re like most day-job slaving humanoids and don’t have the stamina to take in seven nights of live music in a row, here is our abridged list of shows you probably don’t want to miss:

Are you down with local music? Are you down with non-profits? As Portlanders, I think the answer is a resounding yes. 

PDX Pop Now! – Portland's non-profit of rock is celebrating the release of its annual compilation of local talent with a fundraising/concert extravaganza at Mississippi Studios THIS Sunday!

For those of the “below 21” persuasion – never fear. In true, punk rock fashion PDX Pop Now! is including an all ages portion of the event that starts on the Bar Bar patio at 2pm, featuring performances by New Move, Blak Neon, LEO and Natasha Kmeto and a DJ Set. The festivities subsequently move indoors for a 21+ set featuring Illmaculate, Bearcubbin'!, Sara Jackson-Holman and Hosannas.

According to PDX Pop, “all proceeds of this event will support the PDX Pop Now! mission to stimulate and expand participation in the Portland music scene” - an admirable cause to say the least, considering all the hard work this organization has done to support local art. From its early days as a listserv for Portland music lovers in 1998, PDX Pop Now! has grown into an “all-volunteer organization committed to…provid[ing] and support[ing] live performances and recorded materials.”

Listen to Hosannas for spiritual uplifting, check out the track list for the compilation and get a copy for yourself at Mississippi Studios this Sunday. 

- Ted Jamison