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!

Starting up a record label is a pretty big endeavor – it's as stressful as it is time-consuming, and in the age of self-publishing and rapid media consumption, it seems like a pretty thankless job. Fortunately, those reasons keep the half-hearted folks away, assuring that the labels that do exist are truly run by music lovers who are dedicated to supporting their community (be it local, national, global, what have you). And since these folks are dedicated to their community, it only makes sense that you can return the favor and support them, right? You don't have anything better to do this Friday night anyway.

The latest independent record label to enter the Portland fold is Touchy Feely Records. Their current roster consists of three acts Grandhorse, Dedere, and Sleep School, and more acts will surely follow in the coming months. This Friday, October 3rd, they'll be throwing a gigantic launch party in North Portland over at the Kenton Club. There will be free tarot readings, silent auctions, raffles, and of course, music.

It's a packed bill that night, featuring six bands, the center piece of which is Sleep School, releasing their first EP, White Girl Wasted. Other bands who will be performing include Grandhorse, Dedere, Bubble Cats, tigerface, and Hart & Hare. The festivities kick-off at 7pm with a price tag of $5 to get in. And before you decide, “It's not a free show, so I'm not going,” take a minute to a) think of how ridiculously entitled your attitude is and b) consider that you get a raffle ticket upon entry, meaning you could possibly win back way more than those five bucks you spent to get in.

This should be a seriously fun event, so come on down to the Kenton Club on Friday, October 3rd, and check it out! Find out more and RSVP over on Facebook at the event page, and while you're at it, give a like to Touchy Feely Records.

- Alexei Shishkin

Is your life lacking in the sonic sensations that can only be provided by a night of frenzied, unfiltered rawk? Mine too, my friends, mine too. Fortunate for us, the guys in Bubble Cats will be performing at Habesha Lounge this Friday night to provide us with an auditory fix. This four-piece act shreds through jagged riffs, heavy rhythms and crisp vocal shouts backed by an energy that embodies a  punk rock spirit. Their three intertwined EPs (Hiss, Purr and Mews) showcase this energy through crisp production, but is no substitute for their live performance. Joining them will be the sludgy, blues-infused tunes created by recent Medford transplans 100 Watt Mind and Djupang. Show starts at 9pm with a 5 dollar cover, be there for a night of rock n’ roll in it’s purest form. Your ringing ears will thank you for the experience.  

- Ben Toledo 

The night kicked off with a bang, as Bubble Cats put on a shred-fest of guitars and cool melodies. Next, Tender Age charmed the audience with their serene dream-pop, preparing the solid Wednesday night crowd at Mississippi Studios for their headliners.

Souvenir Driver are ahead of the curve, making each live show a production. Probably the best-dressed band in Portland, the three-piece suit-clad dudes looked and sounded polished for the release of their sophomore album, Living Water. SD made every effort to set the mood, layering the soft, reverby vocals of Nate Wey and heavily effected instruments, along with a mesmerizing visual effect reel projected over the band. The use of visuals transports the audience into a totally different space, adding an undefined excitement to their ominous bliss-pop songs. My favorite song from their set was “I Touch You Honey” off Living Water, with a catchy surf pop guitar riff, upbeat drums, and atmospheric backing vocals.

Attention to detail sets Souvenir Driver apart from other bands, right down to the hand-made posters and limited-edition cassettes at the merch table.

- Chandler Strutz

Photos by Todd Walberg

I’m a big fan of Bubble Cats and their epic pop/gateway metal--think heavy Weezer, like if Rivers Cuomo hadn't phoned in the last five albums while getting restraining orders in Japan. These guys have the baddest guitar melodies and harmonies (guitarmonies) around. The Tamed West opens the show with their blend of groovin' garage/psych pop remeniscent to the late Gauntlet Hair crossed with Tame Impala meets Elliot Smith esque vocals. Splitting up these two fine local acts Friday night, and measuring up quite nicely, is sothern California based Dharma. 

The show is only $3 this Friday at Habesha. 8:30pm. - Chandler Strutz