Sometimes all a straight killer music video needs is a good fuckin’ setting, a cool ass scene of folks into the shit in front of them, and a few dicks, fart clouds, battle axes, demon tongues and horns ’n skeletons drawn all over the frames. That, at least, is the winning combo for the new vid by long-hair havers and dive-bar rockers Sweat Lodge, who (in conjunction with Kash Powers) used to make the visual accompaniment to the deeply early metal of track “Bed of Ashes.” Speaking of the young days of the big-chord, reverbed-up, psych-on-edge version of metal, this video reads like the music-and-quick-cuts intro to a movie about metalhead kids in those simple, patched denim vest loving days, being slammed full of fuck-off attitude, booze and weed and characters aplenty partaking in both of ‘em and what’s obviously a show that everyone is pretty fuckin into, all with hair a’bangin’ in the dingy, slightly-vomit scented air of one of Austin’s least 6th Street bars, The Grand on Airport Boulevard. All stories I know of and have been part of that take place at The Grand are on the “what even is sobriety” end of the debauched scale, and from the looks of things, Sweat Lodge and their crew of merry friends are there these days makin’ damn sure the place doesn’t go and do somethin’ dumb like getting more respectful or whatever.

Looked at as a peak into a very different kind of scene than that which you’ll typically find at the more mainstream venues in town, this video ain’t just a hell of a track to throw one back to and get raucous with, it could also be taken as an invitation to a scene in Austin that doesn’t give a fuck about flannels or manscaping, if of course you can find it and you ain’t an asshat. The Deli wants more of this, and Austin’s soul kinda needs it. Please keep it up Sweat Lodge, and the rest of y’all turkeys need to switch out some of those quiet ass records you got for somethin’ louder ASAP, ya hear? This is a hell of a good place to start.

Portland's annual festival celebrating the local music scene, PDX Pop Now! returns this weekend for three days of all-ages adventure at Audiocinema (under the Hawthorne Bridge). Check out the full schedule here, plus The Deli's top picks for the weekend below:

Balto: Daniel Sheron's psych-Americana project is lyrically driven and big and melodic. His first record Call It By Its Name is a diverse mix of country, folk, and pop that sounds like Blitzen Trapper's love child with a dash of outlaw thrown in for good measure. Catch them at 6:40 p.m. on Friday.



Golden Hour: Portland's tender-hearted garage group Golden Hour are like the younger sibling in a cool band that you never had but always wanted. Their catchy, relatable lyrics and upbeat, declarative songs will linger with you long after you hear them--in the best way possible. Don't miss their set at 4:10 p.m. on Saturday.

 


Hands In: Bedroom psych favorite Erick Crosby brings his dreamy tunes to the stage Saturday evening at 6:50 p.m. Hands In provides the perfect soundtrack to your angst, your dance mood, or general party attitude. 

The Last Arful, Dodgr: A new voice in the Portland hip hop scene, Dodgr brings a fresh sound to the festival and holds it down for lesser-represented genres in the local music scene. Don't miss her breakout set at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday.

The Stops: These self-described "five girls playing punk" do not mess around. Their fast, hard, sorry-not-sorry songs are sure to get the crowd moving at this weekend's festival. Representing the all-ages scene, their debut album Nameless Faces is a dirtier, grittier version of local favorites Summer Cannibals. Get down to Audiocinema early on Saturday, The Stops play at 2:10 p.m.

These and many more perform Friday through Sunday at Audiocinema. The music festival includes a street fair, beer garden, and plenty of opportunities to get immersed in the Portland music scene. 

-Zibby Pillote

Hailing from the Greater Toronto Area, a 6 piece psycadellic-garage-pop-rock band, The Auras. I recently found a copy of their EP2 from 2014 and was thoroughly impressed with their catchy tripped out jingles. Listening to the 5 song EP takes you on a ride through the solar system of your mind. It keeps your attention as much as it makes you completely zone out. More recently they have released another EP alongside singer Tess Parks for the track "I Believe In Everything" and her lazy vocals in this track fits the Auras...aura. You won't be able to keep up with all the noise action that comes around so beautifully together. If you're into the whole shoegaze thing you'll dig the Auras and you can see them LIVE at Lee's Palace tomorrow opening up for Ringo Deathstarr.                    - Kris 'Big City' Gies

Now this is one we’ve posted before as part of a previous Artist of the Month Poll roundup, but now we’re givin’ local pychpoprock (mmmhmmm, smush them genres) act Three Bones its own damn post because they’ve got a neat lil July residency goin’ on at the Historic Scoot Inn that’s jammin’ along quite nicely. We’ve been quite into this pair (headed by Victoria de Benedicty and Dalt Jacob with Grant Johnson and Mike Stavitz as well) since they put what has been one of the year’s prime headspace occupyin’ tracks and eyeball a’pleasin’ vids out earlier this year with the strummmeriffic and oddly super satisfyin’ “Hold on to Ya” earlier this year. Goddamn psychedelic earworms y’all: in a genre that finds itself in the long-noodlin’ territory more often than not, it’s not somethin’ you really expect for a psych track to be a tight, clean piece of pop that gets right up between your brains and shakes its tail for a week or two, but damn if “Hold on to Ya” ain’t just that.

I think what really gets this track and vid movin’ is that it just feels legit as Texas barbeque; even when hammin’ it up all weird and creepylike for the camera (as Dalt does just freaky fuckin’ well), you get that unfakeable sense of authenticity that tells ya these are some good damn people just doin’ the damn thing thing in the way they damn well wanna do it, and they’re down if you’re down and cool if you ain’t. We think y’should be, and a trip out yonder to Scoot Inn will likely get you on the Three Bones wavelength quicker than a blonde dude in an all white get up can strum a guitar, which if you check the vid, is pretty fuckin’ fast.

You may recognize his voice if you're familiar with Hamilton's indie rock heroes Young Rival. Aron D'alesio has released his debut solo material in the form of a 4 song cassette. Much like his work with Young Rival, his tunes have come with some interesting music videos. Most recently released is a video for my personal favorite track on the album "Diamond Ring". Looks like Aron was able to pick apart some scenes from an obscure oldies movie to go along with the sad nature of the song....in love with a girl but she's wearing a ring...we've all been there before. The vibes of the tune are great. Like an oldies AM radio. Peaceful tone with thoughtful lyrics. Watch the video for "Diamond Ring" then you'll be looking at his other videos right after. Do it. -Kris "Big City" Gies