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!

If there's one thing kids need more of in their lives, it's music. It's a way for the younger geneation to express themselves - their angst, anguished emotions, disdain for the world they'll soon have to traverse - music is a neccessity. Yet with music programs in schools across the country steadily falling to shambles, any efforts to keep this outlet available are more than needed, and much appreciated. Music in the Schools is aiming to keep music alive for those under bar age here in Portland. MITS has teamed up with Clinton St. Theater to put on their monthly showcases, spotlighting young bands and opening them to vernal audiences.

Last night's showcase touted a four band bill with sponsorship from local all ages festival, PDX Pop Now. Opening up the night were the comically clad KULULULU. Part frenzied rock set, part lively performance art piece, dancers ran around the audience as they thrashed about on stage. Undergrads Dad Rock took the sophomore slot. They haven't even graduated high school, yet last night marked the release of their second album, Papa Defeats the Beast. It's pleasantly punky, and proof of how musical guidance at a young age can conceive greatness. 

With the second half of the night being dominated by slow rockers Sabonis and closed out by indie loves Just Lions, February's MITS installment only further ascertains the importance of keeping music open to everyone, regardless of age.

-Cervante Pope

 Formed here in Portland in 2008, Just Lions is a pop, rock, and jazz trio consisting of brothers Chandler and Brady Strutz, and their longtime friend Andrew Shepherd. Over the course of their time together, the group has managed to put out three EPs (currently available on Bandcamp and Noisetrade), and with influences ranging from The Beatles to The Strokes to Elliot Smith, its no surprise that they're able to combine a satisfying variety of musical elements into their songwriting. The title track from their latest EP, "Great. Okay." (streaming below), is a radio-friendly indie-pop gem rife with infectious whistling and catchy melodies, while the final track, "On the Road," showcases the group's ability to employ more complicated rhythmic and melodic work, as well as to combine elements across various genres (in this case, rock & roll intensity, jazz complexity, and bluesy guitar play). The trio just recently signed with Randm Records out of San Diego and they've begun work on their first full-length album. In the meantime, you can catch them tomorrow night, August 21, at Mississippi Studios. - Patrick Wolff

Thanks to all the artists who submitted their music to be considered for The Deli's Best of Portland Year End Poll for Emerging Artists. We had a record number of submissions from Portland (70!) thanks so much for the overwhelming response!

After tallying our editors' ratings for the Open Submissions stage, it’s time to release the results. Please note that to avoid conflicts no local editor was allowed to vote for bands in her/his own scene.

Total submissions from Portland: 70.

Jurors: Jurors: Michelle Bacon (The Deli KC), Roxy Morrison (The Deli Toronto), Paolo De Gregorio (The Deli NYC).

Acts advancing to our Readers/Fans Poll:

1. The Lower 48 - 7.8 (out of 10)

2. Just Lions - 7.6

2. Jackson Boone - 7.6

4. Dirty Revival - 7.5

4. Jeffrey Martin - 7.5

4. The Binary Marketing Show - 7.5

4. Anna Tivel - 7.5

8. Kool Stuff Katie - 7.3

8. Mermaid in China - 7.3

9. Mothertapes - 7.16

Honorable Mentions (scores above 6.5) 

Future Historians, Dogheart, Souvenir Driver, Foxy Lemon, Talkative, LiquidLight, Ezza Rose, Neka & Kahlo, The Adaptive.

WHAT’S NEXT: These results end the first phase of the poll. We have already unveiled full list of nominees that also includes the artists nominated by our local jurors (see left column here). It's now time for our readers to influence this Year End Poll for Emerging Portland Artists with their vote - look out for th readers' poll on the right column of this same page!

The Deli Portland

There are good and bad ways to start the summer. Just Lions have chosen the good route with the release of their new EP, Great. Okay. which they will celebrate with a free show this Monday night, 6.30, at Mississippi Studios. The three-piece band, known for it’s pop rock energy and jazz tendencies, latest work hits these core characteristics while expanding into a deeper core of their sound. 

The EP begins with the title track and immediately hits you with sweet whistling and a catchy rhythm that makes for easy listening. This song brings a radio friendly presence to the album, which was even aired on 94.7 FM (Clear Channel's New Rock/Alt radio station) earlier this month. Next, the band drifts into a jazzy atmosphere that is very prevalent during their live performances. Relying on guitar work and jazz scales, “Everything Goes Away” remains a very free flowing song that is slightly reminiscent of something by Jack Johnson (you know, if Jack Johnson was cool and rocked a little harder). The closing track is the heaviest. “On the Road” is much more than a track with the same name as the iconic book by Kerouac. Opening guitar riffs unleash into a fury while the harmonious vocals smooth things over. This song ends with an exploding, bluesy guitar solo that only makes you wonder what this band has in store for the future.

Although this EP is short with only three songs, the release show Monday night will be packed with good music. Jammy psych-heads Bear & Moose open the night, followed by fellow jammy psych-heads Animal Eyes, and Just Lions close out the night, where you will be able to see what Great. Okay. is all about and much more.

- Colin Hudson