The first of its kind (well, maybe not in the whole world, but here in Oregon at least), the Get Outta Town series is in its infancy, with it's first edition to take place on January 30th. The premise of the Get Outta Town series is to encourage local music lovers to venture away from Portland's usual venues and see a different part of the state. It's an amazing idea, and Get Outta Town #1 will be held at Coyote Woods in Estacada, Oregon. Playing the inaugural bill will be Divers, Woolen Men, Ah God and Abronia, for tickets on a sliding price scale of $5-$10. Proceeds will partially go to the bands and partially go to coverage of any damage that happens to the property.

Just in case you drive down there and get a little too fucked up for the drive back to town, the Get Outta Town launchers are in talks with the local and independent Red Fox Motel for a potential discount for attendees, so stay tuned!

-Cervante Pope

When it comes to throwing your hands in and being a team player, there isn't a finer group of young gentleman that knows more about this than our own Hands In. Sensual wailer Erick Crosby heads the forefront of this endeavor, backed by Chad Davis and Cody Berger, both of whom are members of two other Portland psych-garage fits, Ah God and Talkative. Hands In have been featured on The Deli Portland before as part of last year's PDX Pop Now! post, but it's due time to give them proper mention. Hands In will provide your ears with the utmost refreshing jam sesh and can be found playing shows around time quite often. Keep up with them via their Facebook page and catch them live!

-Cervante Pope

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 

We’ve been talking about local lo-fi shredders Ah God a lot lately. They’re still up for a vote in our current Artist of the Month poll. If you're still out of the loop, it would be wise to come check them out this Thursday at Bunk Bar. The duo will be supporting a stellar lineup including Portland’s very own slowgazers Tender Age and San Diego based jangle surfers Heavy Hawaii. It’s sure to be a night so full of reverb and ethereal texture that when the last song ends you won’t be sure whether the ringing in your ears is the tapering last note or, you know, permanent hearing damage.

Ah God will be taking it to you hard as always with the energy and tenacity of grunge tempered by the lo-fi DIY sensibilities of bands like No Age and Abe Vigoda. Tender Age will add some starch to the mix and slow things way down without sacrificing any density of sound. Their style is similar to the pacing and texture of Cocteau Twins with Seapony’s knack for a catchy hook. Heavy Hawaii will take us to the beach with their reverb-smeared summer jams. Their sound is like Olivia Tremor Control or Ariel Pink weirdo-rock plus bubblegum surf pop and a So-Cal tan.

With ambassadors from every corner of 90s-influenced reverb pop, this show isn't one you can’t afford to not miss.

- Bryce Woodcock

Once you can come to terms with the fact that "typically amusing Saturday nights" never actually work out for you, you'll realise you should just go to the Deli Portland showcase at Kelly's Olympian. We've already gone ahead and taken care of all the planning for you and there will be three amazing bands, cheap booze and tons of chicks. Heading the night, Ah God, differential in their distant vibes, layered vocals and slightly-off melodies will make you feel cozy in the same way that sitting in a strange cabin in the middle of nowhere makes you feel. You're warm. There's no harm. You're incredibly stimulated in being in a new place with new people and you're taking in the new tunes. Before them, Cambrian Explosion do more than waltz with Eastern psychedelic rock, they intermingle in the most intimate ways. The band has been carving out a reputation for themselves in the Portland Psych movement and have been recognized for a​ reason. Opening the night like a 5-hour energy drink, Mister Tang have the ability to shift your mindscape with a single jolt estranged guitar. Stone and Jeff Tang mesmerize and intoxicate with their transcendental garage rock. Each band's sets will be recorded live and have a track contributed to a forthcoming Deli Portland/Kelly's Olympian/Revolver Studios live compilation. Doors at 8pm, the show begins at 9 and the cover is $5 which all goes to bands. SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC.

- Colette Pomerleau 

'Peach Sunset' from Ah God on Vimeo.