It was 1977 when David Bowie, drawing inspiration from the sight of his producer embracing his lover by the Berlin Wall, released “Heroes,” ostensibly one of his best singles (and probably one of the greatest rock tracks of all time). While the politics of the period undoubtedly underscore the song’s lyrics, the track’s core theme is distance, the varying uncontrollable factors that keep us from the people we long most to see. Though this is may be an ahistorical reading of Ziggy Stardust’s intentions, it’s hard not to listen to Brooklyn multi-instrumentalist Jeremiah Brunnhoetzl’s (d.b.a. Arlo Indigo) cover without considering the context of our contemporary malaise-ridden daydream — in the age of social distancing, it’s likely many of us find ourselves fantasizing about how things would be, how great things could be, if the odds could be overcome, albeit briefly. Thankfully, Brunnhoetzl’s “blue pop” instrumentation, his pulsing synth-driven, 80s-tinged approach to Bowie’s work, masterfully captures the original’s dispirited energy with a contemporary spin. Give it a listen below.

 The brooding sounds of Sheers are undeniable. Led by the deep, mercurial vocal capacity of Lily Breshears, the particular sounds the trio produces are rife with opportunities for introspective thinking, and their first track of 2017 definitely follows in that same vein.

"Quantized" artistically and classically blends trip-hop, jazz and minimalistic pop into layers of textured and honest instrumentation and lyricism. Breshears' vocals steadily build along with backbeats from Daniel Rossi and atmospheric bass from Aaron Stern in efforts to fight against instant sonic gratification, encouraging focused reflection. The idea for "Quantized" came from the unwanted recalling of old memories brought on by the summer's blooming scents, prompting the line “early summer never smelled so putrid/when the last was best and worst and unlived." It's meant to showcase the effect memories of past experiences can have on the present, and that it does very well.

A release show for "Quantized" will be at Bunk Bar on 7.12, along with another single release from Arlo Indigo and another performance from Tino's Dream.

 As if the last couple weeks haven't been enough of a clusterfuck in the way of music festivals, tomorrow brings yet another to add to the list of attendance. This time around, it's a collaboration between three bar venues downtown and Lagunitas Brewing.

PAC NW Fest features 15 bands spread out across Dante's, Ash Street Saloon and Kelly's Olympian, all in one Saturday night. 

Catch what is sure to be a rowdy final performance from Foxy Lemon's drummer Zach Boggis as they headline the bill at Kelly's Olympian. Supporting them will be Bubble Cats, the Hoons, Keeper Keeper and Internal State. That side room at Kelly's is sure to reach capacity.

Over at Dante's, you'll find Seattle's Moon Darling, Willow House, Arlo Indigo and Just Lions opening up for King Who, the new moniker for the trippy synth pop group Us Lights.

Dark pop rock lovers Skull Diver will be closing out the night at Ash Street Saloon with their psychedelic visuals and ethereal vocals. Febian Perez's post-Bike Thief project Eclisse will also take the stage, along with Rader, Young Hunter and Salo Panto.

All shows start at 7 p.m. Wristbands for all three venues are available for $12 adv, $15 door with single show tickets being $8. Wristbands can be picked up tomorrow at Ash Street Saloon only. Purchase wristbands here. Enjoy!

 PDX Pop Now's 2016 festival weekend is coming to a close and with its posted lineup, it'll be ending on a high note. Youth bands Fossa Club and the Living Skins open up this sunny Sunday, leading into the blowing up and of Blowout.

Cilantro will be offering a more worldly spice, followed up by a lively punked fueled performance from Bobby Peru.

Deli Portland favorites A Volcano, Force Publique and Cat Hoch have slots on the closing day, along with experimental noise act Consumer, who shared his spontaneous sounds on the PDX Pop segment featured on KATU.

Renaissance Coalition breakout artist Maze Koroma will spit some mad flows just before one of Portland's current biggest bands Summer Cannibals closes out this year's fest just before the 10 o' clock hour.

This year's PDX Pop Now festival was one of the best to date, with an outstanding turnout backing one of the most diverse lineups in its history. It'll be exciting to see what the non-profit has up its sleeve next.