We're steadily trudging through our polls for the bands all of you loyal participants in the Portland scene considered the best in music from last year. We tackled the electronic and experimental poll with this last round and we're happy to announce our top winners (though you ALL our in our books!). Congrats to...

Gold Casio for winning the overall poll (which is our local jurors' votes + the readers' poll votes) and Abronia for winning our readers' poll!

Likely the only psychedelic-electronic-disco act around, Gold Casio have been favorites in the local dance scene for a while now to those "in the know." But now, with more singles and shows under their belt, the band's incredibly rhythmic and somewhat flirty musical nature has made its way into the hearts of those outside of the usual dance club dwellers, proving that all that really glitters is Gold...Casio.

Ambiently soft yet broodingly heavy, Abronia have expanded their lineup to match their beautifully atmospheric and expansive sound. Perfect for moments of mental reflection but easy to enjoy in damn near every other scenario, Abronia's dominanation of the experimental side of the poll makes total sense, and we can't wait to hear new releases from them.

Take a peek at our other poll placers and be sure to show them some love as well!

	Amenta Abioto		13%	96 votes
	dolphin midwives		16%	118 votes
	Gold Casio		29%	204 votes
	Abronia		18%	132 votes
	Don Gero		6%	44 votes
	James Curry IV		15%	106 votes

Leave it to Gold Casio to breathe some life back into this tired day of mildly holy appreciation. A particular appreciation of theirs (and anyone else that relishes surf music's pioneers) revolves around the Beach Boys, their opus Pet Sounds and everything that they've done for music in general.

Since 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Pet Sounds' release, Gold Casio have used their psychedelic disco elements to cover the most relatable Side two song on Pet Sounds, "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times." 

On their choice to cover "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" specifically, Gold Casio's Brock Grenfell said:

We wound up choosing this particular song because its got great melodies and it was kind of just resonating with us. Honestly, after what a shit-show year 2016 has ended up being, I feel like it's pretty appropriate. I think a lot of people probably feel right now like they weren't made for the times we're living in. 

SO. MUCH. TRUTH. See Gold Casio play for Do503 at the beginning of the new year with Glasys and Holidae House at Holocene but until then, enjoy their dance pop take on a Beach Boys' classic.

After months of strenuous hard work, the 13th annual PDX Pop Now Festival is here to be enjoyed by Portland's newest wave of all-age music appreciators. Each year, numbers of volunteers spend so much of their personal time trying to make the festival happen by showcasing the city's best up and coming artists and today, the fruits are now ripe for entertainment.

Sabonis, a somewhat shoegazey, somewhat lo-fi alt indie group is opening up the fest, using the chill vibes to ease everyone into a weekend of craziness. Saola, playing after Sabonis, is probably one of the greatest bands out there right now that still happens to be in high school. They're bringing the heaviest element to the day's lineup, with a doom metal output.

Folky stylings are represented by Loch Lomond, Dragging an Ox Through Water and Snowblind Traveler, with a country-ish twang coming from Jenny Don't & the Spurs.

Ali Muhareb's Mujahedeen and Eyelids are the trippiest of the bunch and electronic lovers Gold Casio are helping one of the only hip hop acts, Mic Capes, get bodies moving towards the end of the night.

The first day of PDX Pop Now offers a little bit of something for everyone, as do the other two days of the fest. It officially begins at 6pm tonight, so be sure to come out. It's free!

Kicking off a summer series of shows along the West Coast, electronic loves Gold Casio will be sweatin' up the Doug Fir tonight in celebration of their soon-to-drop music video and upcoming debut full length. As part of the transformation of their current release, the Fever Dreams EP will see an additional five songs, propelling it from a sampler pack of their indelible dance pop to a straight serving size of active tunes. 

A video for Fever Dreams' closing track, "Last Song," will be shared some time next month.

Joining Gold Casio tonight will be synth pop duo Calm Candy and Australia's Cub Sport, rounding out the bill with a guarantee of solid gyration.

The show starts at 8:30 tonight and only costs $5, so let's groove tonight.