If you're looking to enjoy some straight up rock & roll roots, local maestros in the craft Balto will be providing a freek week of it with their new week-long residency at Al's Den, downtown at the Crystal Hotel.

Beginning today and lasting through the 27th, Balto's residency will mainly be solo performances from band frontman Daniel Sheron. It was Sheron's ventures from Moscow, Russia through Siberia that have helped inspire much of Balto's songs and sounds, from their October's Road debut to their recently released 7" Call it By its Name.

"CA LUV" is the latest to come off Call it By its Name and is an airy roots track that will act as the perfect taste holder for fans as the wait for yet another Balto release.

All of Balto's Al's Den residency shows begin at 7 p.m., are free and for those 21 and over. They'll be joined by other acts throughout the next week, all of which can be found here.

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

Thursday, June 5th, Alameda play at Mississippi Studios celebrating the release of their Live From the Banana Stand album! The band admits that they’ve been “holed up” prepping new material and recording, which means we’re about to witness a mass exodus of pure, pent-up creative energy… you’ll want to see this.

Banana Stand Media is an underground house venue/recording space/record label, known for their epically intimate live recorded and filmed shows, and their resulting live albums and video content. Alameda’s own front-person Stirling Myles referred to Banana Stand as simply “too good to be true,” referencing this upcoming release as “a document of a special moment.”

About Alameda: I would refer to them fondly as “dense folk.” Their list of influences is vast, ranging from “epic metal, noise and hardcore to jazz and pop,” all channeled into incredibly dynamic, orchestral folk tunes with sweeping strings and even a clarinet in the mix. They’ll share the stage at Mississippi Studios Thursday with fellow local folk acts Balto and Bevelers. In preparation for the show, Check out the video of Alameda playing "Little Lives" from their performance at Banana Stand. 

- Ted Jamison*