SUPER PICK

SAVILA, NOTEL
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) When Notel dropped their first single earlier this month, the band’s chilled-out, beachy instrumentals quickly made waves throughout Portland. “Sun Reservoir” is the slightly wicked, ultra-breezy track that you might play while cruising down Highway 101 in a getaway vehicle after successfully robbing a bank with your boo. Candy-coated on one end and colorfully eerie on the other, the nostalgic nod will leave you pining in the dust when it’s all over. Notel is the brainchild of several staples in the Portland music scene, including guitarists Becky Miller (Top Parts) and Peter Condra (Magic Mouth), drummer Emily Kingan (Lovers), and synthy mysticism from Lorna Krier (Lorna Dune). This month’s Sound + Vision at Mississippi Studios will be the band’s first-ever concert, so expect them to unveil even more material live. What better way to welcome Notel than to pair them up with the similarly moody and star-studded Savila, a psychedelic three-piece inspired by the range of Latin America’s cumbias and sun-kissed West Coast surf rock. Guitarist and She Shreds founder Fabi Reyna cleverly stacks dreamy riffs while vocalist Brisa Gonzalez (of the now-defunct Swan Island) hypnotizes audiences with Spanish-language tales. It’s topped off with cowbell-friendly tropical beats from Orquestra Pacifico Tropical and Mascaras percussionist Papi Fimbres, for a smoky sound that’s meant for stomping and swaying along. EMILLY PRADO


WEDNESDAY 5/24

COREY HARPER, DUSTIN RUTH
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Portland’s own Corey Harper didn’t make his way onto my radar until the 22-year-old singer/songwriter landed a slot opening for Justin Bieber’s Purpose Tour last year in Vancouver. While he wasn’t exactly what we were concerned about at the time, I noted liking his gritty and soulful voice during his simple acoustic set. His songs sit comfortably at the intersection of Americana, folk, blues and country, sometimes giving me John Mayer and Stevie Ray Vaughan vibes. His intimate set on Mississippi is sure to be an easy and enjoyable listen. JENNI MOORE

CARDIOID, LOS COLOGNES, BECAUSE
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) It’s been just two months since Cardioid left Portland for Los Angeles, but the band’s already returning to promote their recent debut, Parts Dept. Though Lizzy Ellison only left Radiation City to join Unknown Mortal Orchestra drummer/producer Riley Geare as Cardioid last year, they’ve developed the beautifully cohesive sound of a well-seasoned outfit. Each song on Parts Dept. contains its own instantly accessible hook, and these poppy melodies are sometimes set against wistful strings. Cardioid’s music is dream rock—a surreal, angst-laden gaze into indie rock’s subconscious. These days they may call LA home, but their first album showcases the melancholy pop rock one might expect from a city that’s often doused in rain and IPAs. ROSE FINN

T.I., COOL NUTZ, YUNGMIL, JAKE SIERRA MUSIC, DJ DROPKID
(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) T.I. did good by putting a Portland stop on his Hustle Gang Tour, given the subject matter of his most recent album. Last year he dropped Us or Else, which thematically centers on the current socio-political climate that has so many people rallying in the streets. With guest spots from artists like Killer Mike (Run the Jewels) and Quavo (Migos), T.I. uses his new record as a platform to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, police brutality, and social justice. He also recently dragged Trump—who lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2,864,974 votes—on Twitter in defense of everyone’s favorite weed dad, Snoop Dogg. Calling Trump a “tangerine tanned muskrat scrotum skin” is quite possibly the best and most accurate presidential diss yet, so let’s hope he doesn’t hold back once he hops onstage at the Roseland. He’ll be among like-minded people. CERVANTE POPE

THURSDAY 5/25

BLOSSOM, PHONE CALL, DNVN
(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) A Blossom show is always a good time, and this one should be no different. With roots in Trinidad and Tobago, Blossom has Portland’s hip-hop scene under her spell. Phone Call and DNVN should pair excellently with her funky soul-infused style. Phone Call is made up of two former members of Portland-based disco band Strength. They draw from their dance music past, infusing their sound with heavy hip-hop beats. CLAIRE HOLLEY

GIRLPOOL, SNAIL MAIL, SURFER ROSIE
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Led by high school senior Lindsey Jordan, last year Maryland three-piece Snail Mail released an impressive debut EP last year, Habit. It’s six tracks of lo-fi indie rock that perfectly captures the feeling of dragging your feet around your hometown and praying you don’t get stuck there for good. CIARA DOLAN Read our story on Girlpool.

MÁSCARAS, JO PASSED, LASER BACKGROUND, BITCH’N
(The Know, 3728 NE Sandy) Read our review of Máscaras’ new album, El Morán.

BLEACHERS, BOB, MOSES MISSIO
(Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) It’s been five years since the band fun. bumrushed the mainstream with its bombastic pop music. Since then, fun. has been relatively quiet, but lead guitarist Jack Antonoff has established himself as one of the preeminent behind-the-scenes songwriters and producers on Earth. He co-wrote and co-produced three songs on Taylor Swift’s 1989. He co-wrote Sara Bareilles’ mega-hit “Brave” and Lorde’s new single “Green Light.” He has worked with Sia, Zayn, Carly Rae Jepsen... the list goes on and on. But as busy as Antonoff has been with other folks’ music, he’s been just as productive with his own, which he makes under the name Bleachers. The first Bleachers album, 2014’s Strange Desire, was packed with perfect summer jams, and the first three singles from the forthcoming Gone Now sound just as promising. Antonoff’s primary gift? Marrying massive, 21st-century melodies (and technology) with distinctly ’80s-inspired pastel new wave vibes. Few do it better. BEN SALMON

FRIDAY 5/26

TWERK: DJ ILL CAMINO
(Killingsworth Dynasty, 832 N Killingsworth) Sometimes you just need to twerk. For me, this usually takes the form of me dancing pantsless next to a Bluetooth speaker, but here’s a chance to let resident DJ Ill Camino take over sound duties for once, with his HQ mix of hip-hop, R&B, and bounce music that’ll aim to get all the booties shaking. Plus it’s at the spacious and appealing Killingsworth Dynasty, a spot that’s become an experienced host to a slew of POC- and LGBTQAI-inclusive dance functions. JENNI MOORE

JAGWAR MA
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) The year was 2013. Rich youths ran around on coke benders at [insert music festival here] while feeling no shame for appropriating Native American-inspired headdresses. Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” was the song of the summer, but these folks craved mellower hits to play while actually getting lucky. Enter the phenomenon of “hipster sex music,” which presents buzz bands like the XX and Jagwar Ma the ideal market to milk: trust fund kiddos who just want something that’s trippy, man. Some say Coachella is our generation’s Woodstock, because the 1960s were wild, radical, and free, but this new kind of freedom simply equals someone’s ability to buy shit. It’s 2017, and besides minor victories like the implosion of Fyre Festival forcing rich people to eat middle school lunch sandwiches for a day, these massive displays of aristocratic cultural capital remain relatively unfazed. Jagwar Ma has a new album, and it sounds no different—I guess the beats are kind of pleasant. CAMERON CROWELL

FLYNT FLOSSY AND TURQUOISE JEEP, MAZE KOROMA
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Purveyors of a genre they call EMB hip-hop (“Existing Musical Beings”), for nearly a decade Turquoise Jeep have brought humor back into hip-hop and R&B. The movement started with the fly moves of Flynt Flossy and the deliciously named Whatchyamacallit during a time when the standard club hits lacked comedic substance. There have been a few changes to the Turquoise Jeep roster, as they’ve said goodbye to the sultry voice of Pretty Raheem and Yung Humma, the creator of their most famous hit “Lemme Smang It,” but the boys continue to churn out hilariously sensual jams. For those in the mood to get a little “Licky Sticky” belting out lyrics about their “Cavities,” Turquoise Jeep know how to bring seductive performances (which often include audience participation). It’s no wonder they’ve managed to “keep the jeep ridin’” for all these years. CP

TIM MCGRAW AND FAITH HILL, JOSEPH
(Moda Center, 1 N Center Court) Husband/wife duo Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are the exemplars of the modern career in the country genre. They crank out music with admirable regularity, while squeezing in time to take on acting roles, help produce television shows, serve as mentors for up-and-coming Nashville talent, and make fun investments like McGraw’s former part-ownership of an Arena Football League team. And their fans respond in turn, keeping their albums flying off the shelves and former hits like “This Kiss” and “I Like It, I Love It” in heavy rotation on country radio. The pair are engaging in another joint tour this year, with the goal of firing up advance support for a new collaborative album that’s set to drop after Soul2Soul: The World Tour wraps up in October. Being the king and queen of country music is their business, and business is a-boomin’. ROBERT HAM

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN
(Star Theater, 13 NW 6th) With highly theatrical stadium rock presentation and neo-classical fretboard fireworks, Swedish guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen grabbed the shredder centerfold torch from Eddie Van Halen in the mid-’80s and provided the blueprint for subsequent axe superheroes like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to enjoy mainstream success. By relegating the lead singer to sideman and directing the center stage spotlight onto his iconic Stratocaster, Malmsteen injected glam-rock sex appeal into his searing arpeggios with Amadeus-level virtuosity that wowed huge crowds, sold many albums, and inspired young heshers like myself to dive headfirst into hours of private lessons and bedroom noodling. Copious amounts of my time and lunch money were spent collecting magazines adorned with his leonine mane and daydreaming about attaining even half of the face-melting abilities of the great “Ing-vay,” possibly the most recognized first name in heavy metal guitar culture. CHRIS SUTTON

ANGELA DAVISE, REDRAY FRAZIER, LIBRETTO
(The Secret Society, 116 NE Russell) Though her name immediately calls to mind the firebrand activist, feminist, and college professor, Portland’s Angela Davise is more akin to the mellow folk and pop music of Joan Armatrading or Tracy Chapman. Tonight the singer and songwriter celebrates the release of her new album, What Will Remain, with local soul-rock virtuoso (and former David Byrne backup singer) Redray Frazier, fresh off his TEDx Portland performance. Whether he’s performing solo or with his band, onstage at the Keller Auditorium or at the neighborhood dive, Frazier does not disappoint. Also on the bill is veteran Portland MC Libretto, still reintroducing himself to his adopted hometown after years locked away in federal prison, and still every bit as hungry as he was back in the Misfit Massive days. While the acts are dissimilar in style, tonight is a rare opportunity to see three unique local talents collaborating with and vibing off each other in an intimate setting. SANTI ELIJAH HOLLEY

SATURDAY 5/27

WHAT WAS SOUND: DIIV, WOODS, EL TEN ELEVEN, FRUIT BATS, SMALL LEAKS SINK SHIPS, BED., JUJUBA, SUNBATHE
(Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 1020 SW Naito) Having trouble scoring tickets to Sasquatch, bro? Fear not, as the combined efforts of local startup Sub Rosa Curation and the Portland Rose Festival promise to make your Memorial Day weekend a noisy one down at the waterfront. For $28 per ticket, What Was Sound brings a musically diverse slice of indie artists together under one banner for a one-day, all-ages mini-fest. And with the lineup featuring the neo-psych punch of Woods, the twisted Americana of Fruit Bats, and the shimmery pop of DIIV, you’ll hardly give a rip about the potentiality of “fest folks”—like Croc-wearing poseurs or weekend bridge-and-tunnel jocks—harshing your mellow. Locals on the bill include the Nigerian juju of Jujuba, rockers Small Leaks Sink Ships, the fuzz-forward trio bed., and Sunbathe, the solo project of Genders frontwoman Maggie May Morris. Bring sunscreen and don’t be a jerk. RYAN J. PRADO

THE POSTCARDS, SMALL FIELD, BODY ACADEMICS
(Kelly’s Olympian, 426 SW Washington) There’s not a whole lot of information available online about Portland-based baroque-pop band the Postcards. The “About” section of their Facebook profile includes no bio and no band members’ names, and there isn’t an official Postcards website. Their Bandcamp does, however, feature a full stream of the band’s new, debut LP, This Green Hill, which offers a peek at the Postcards’ interests. Namely: jangling, psychedelic, ’60s-style pop music, heavily influenced by Brian Wilson and his work with the Pet Sounds/Smiley Smile-era Beach Boys in the late ’60s. This Green Hill sounds carefully constructed out of hooky melodies, lush harmonies, layered production, and a toolshed full of instruments, some conventional to pop music and some not so much. Not only is This Green Hill the Postcards’ first album, tonight is their first-ever show. Intriguing, right? BS

HOOPS, PARTS, NO LALA
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Bloomington, Indiana, dream-pop outfit Hoops is a collaboration between Drew Auscherman, Keagan Beresford, and Kevin Krauter, three songwriters who craft catchy, laidback pop nuggets that almost coercively make you think of summer. Some might be turned off by the suspiciously chill affect that permeates their 2017 debut, Routines, all warm vintage synths and shimmering Roland jazz chorus casting a layer of impenetrable cool over the proceedings. Hoops is best, though, when they accidentally let their guard down. Standout “On Letting Go” serves as a jaded kiss-off to lost love that doesn’t seem to even convince its writer, Beresford. Mumbled over a wistful breakbeat that’s somewhere between Moby and Prince, the song’s dismissive refrain of “I don’t even care, I don’t wanna know” is immediately undercut by Beresford’s concession: “I admit I doubled back when I told you I don’t write love songs.” NATHAN TUCKER

SUNDAY 5/28

SPARKLE BITCH BALL: SKULL DIVER, FOXY LEMON, RARE MONK, BUCKMASTER
(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) Get ready to sparkle, because all the kings, queens, “and everything in between” will be at Holocene to celebrate tonight’s Sparkle Bitch Ball. Besides maximum fabulosity, one can expect the release of psych rock outfit Skull Diver’s new album Chemical Tomb, as well as the debut of their music video “8 Pack 8 Legs” starring your host and local drag queen royalty Patrick Buckmaster. Joining the fun will be more music from Rare Monk and Foxy Lemon… and you (bedecked in glitter, sequins, and ready to stun). WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY

DIGABLE PLANETS
(Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) Yep, beloved ’90s hip-hop trio Digable Planets is still reunion touring, and yep, we’re still excited about it. Ladybug Mecca, Doodlebug, and Butterfly last took the stage at the Crystal last August, meaning even if you attended you’re probably gonna need a post-Trump palate cleanser. Yes yes, y’all! DIRK VANDERHART Read our story on Digable Planets.

RODRIGUEZ, ARUM RAE
(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway) The story of Sixto Rodriguez is one of the greatest and most heartwarming in rock ’n’ roll history. A Mexican-American hippie from Detroit records two radically charged folk rock albums in the early ’70s, and then fades into obscurity until a reissue label and fledgling filmmaking crew dig up his gilded treasures. The 2012 documentary Searching for Sugar Man exposed Rodriguez’s unsung magic, particularly on his debut LP, Cold Fact, to a public instantly enraptured by his heady mixture of Bob Dylan’s poetic wizardry and Neil Young’s fearless Americana, all wrapped up in the broken bricks-eye view of Motor City depression. It’s reassuring that such enriching and incendiary music can get that type of belated appreciation. CS

MONDAY 5/29

CROOKED BANGS, CONDITIONER, SEX CRIME, WAY WORSE
(Black Water Bar, 835 NE Broadway) On their new album Crooked Bangs II, Austin’s Crooked Bangs expose the recesses of dark punk. Lead by bassist/vocalist Leda Ginestra, the band’s no-frills thrash sounds like the punk record you used to hide from your parents as a preteen for its dangerous undertones. Ginestra’s often French-sung vocals lend a nebulous layer to the band’s otherwise rollicking merits. Songs as undeniably great as “Rabbit Hole” put the band in the company of pioneering ’90s grungers like Mudhoney, had they been pitting with Dead Kennedys in a dank Northwest basement all night. Crooked Bangs II is a really good punk record, and you should buy it and hide it from your parents, no matter how old you are. RJP

TUESDAY 5/30

SOUND + VISION: SAVILA, NOTEL
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Taking its name from the Spanish word for aloe vera, cumbia three-piece Savila is singer Brisa Gonzalez, guitarist (and She Shreds founder) Fabi Reyna, and alternating guest drummers. Like the plant, their music is a salve—the Portland group seamlessly weaves together psychedelic guitar, Gonzalez’s echoing vocals, and intricate percussion, for a result that’s blissed-out and sun-dazed. CIARA DOLAN Also read our super pick.