Reptaliens really do rule the Earth.

Some of us probably DO feel like the lizard elite run everything, or at the very least, the Cheeto elite do. After the way the last few weeks have gone that seems more like an actual fact than an alternative one. But when it comes to who has taken hold of our local music scene, there are a few names we just can't get out of our heads. One of them is Reptaliens.

Led by the lovely union of Cole and Bambi Browning (Sculpture Gardens, Wampire, Brainstorm), Reptaliens has included members from other talented acts like Fog Father, Cat Hoch Band and Lola Buzzkill over their course of their band-dom, but a constant enjoyment can always be found in their songs. A twee-like innocence presents itself amid the lo-fi instrumentation and angelically comforting vocals from Bambi, allowing their songs to easily sway from flirty bedroom pop songs to surrealistic dream daze productions.

As of right now, Reptaliens are scheduled to play their next show March 3rd with Skull Diver and King Black Acid at Mississippi Studios. Until then, congratulate Reptaliens for being your favorite Indie Pop act of 2016!

The Shivas have come a long way over the years. We've seen quite a few albums since the band's beginning in the early 2000's, released on labels like the DIY Gnar Tapes and the honored Pacific Northwest reppin' K Records. Flash forward to present day, where Better Off Dead came out just last month. Their 5th album, Better Off Dead pomps a pastiche of keenly conjured surf rock, tinged with doo-wop and a western twang. Contributing vocals from all members (guitarist Jared Molyneux, drummer Kristin Leonard, bassist Eric Shanafelt and percussionist Ian Hartley) keep the tracks on Better Off Dead varied and harmonious, without sounding bulky or overbuilt. It's likely they'll play almost all of the album at its release show tonight, so stream it below and get yourself acquainted ahead of time.

Playing with the Shivas will be Deli Portland Artist of the Month nominees Sculpture Gardens and Cat Hoch, the winner of the Deli Portland's Best Emerging Artist of 2015 title. This tightly stacked bill is happening at the Doug Fir, with tickets from $8-$12. Doors at 8pm, show set to begin at 9pm. With the serpentine technique of Cat Hoch and the brazen rock pop styled in a 60s-esque fit of Sculpture Gardens, this show will be nothing short of a hella fun time.

-Cervante Pope

I'm trying out another new series here for the Deli Portland called Saturday Night Sounds. With it, I'm hoping to share a chill tune or two to be enjoyed by you doing whatever it is you do on Saturday nights. For its inaugural post, here is "Forced Entry" by Reptaliens. The track dropped some days ago, but I feel it's the perfect jam for this crisp weekend night. Both main members, Cole and Bambi B., have been literally immersed in various acts around Portland for the last few years. As Reptaliens' first track, "Forced Entry" conjures colorfully hazed happiness, like a pleasant dream transformed into a song. 

Reptaliens are set to drop a full length, aptly titled Recordings, sometime in the summer of this year. Considering "Forced Entry" as a peek into what Recordings will sound like, we only have great things to look forward to with its release. Enjoy it below.

-Cervante Pope