Deli Portlanders,

It's been a months long road in the process of nominating and voting on who all of you feel are the city's best musicians for the year. After thinking back on all the shows played and albums released from 2016, we've finally got a solid list of Portland's finest. Take a gander at who you all fell for (and just how much you fell for them), while also showing some love to yourselves and the lovely jurors that participated.

Thanks to our jurors: Linneas Boland-Godbey (Next Northwest), Aaron Sharpsteen (Photographer), Tony Prato (Bunk Bar), Duffy Rongiiland (Gnar Tapes), Rob Cullivan (Portland Tribune), Leigh Belacic (PDX Pop Now), Jeni Wren Stottrup (Gritty Birds Podcast), Annie Ostrowski (Riot Act Media), Blake Hickman (Good Cheer Records), Clifford Prince King (Photographer), Mo Troper (Impose Magazine/Portland Mercury), Chad Davis (Musician), Jordan Stamm (Drunk Dial Records), Hunter Skowron (Dazzleships Records), Todd Walberg (Photographer), Yousef Hatlani (Faces on the Radio), Corbin Corbinn (Crush House/Photographer), and Andrew Olson (dr0ne PR).

Let's get down to the nitty gritty of what you all have been waiting for...

Lithics

Lithics exude mystery. From their experimental punk drone to their intentional lack of an internet presence, they're the band you may not have known existed until you saw them accidentally. They've been coasting in Portland's formerly under-appreciated but always DIY post/art punk scene for almost three years now with just two releases under their belt. Their three track, self-titled tape from 2015 gave us a taste, but it was their 2016 release Borrowed Floors that helped propel them into being Portland's best band of the year.

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2. Cat Hoch

This isn't the first success Cat Hoch and her band have experienced with the Deli. She came out on top entirely in 2015, when she was voted the Best Emerging Artist of that year and was the readers' choice for best in shoegaze and psych rock for this year. From opening up for Ride to commanding even bigger stages, Cat Hoch and her talented group of musicians aren't stopping anytime soon.

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3. Abronia

Ambiently soft yet broodingly heavy, Abronia have expanded their lineup to match their beautifully atmospheric and expansive sound. Our overall pick for best in electronic and experimental and 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.

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4. Ice Queens (Alt Rock/Metal, 7pts)

5. Fur Coats (Hip Hop/R&B, 6pts)

6. The Toads (Indie Rock/Post-Punk, 6pts)

7. Mr. Wrong (Punk/Garage, 6pts)

8. Shrine of the Serpent (Alt Rock/Metal, 5.5pts)

9. A Volcano (Alt Rock/Metal, 5pts)

10. dolphin midwives (Electronic/Experimental, 5pts)

11. Gold Casio (Electronic/Experimental, 5pts)

12. Chanti Darling (Hip Hop/R&B, 5pts)

13. Lola Buzzkill (Hip Hop/R&B, 5pts)

14. Laura Palmer's Death Parade (Psych/Shoegaze, 5pts)

15. Wave Action (Punk/Garage, 5pts)

16. Donte Thomas (Hip Hop/R&B, 4pts)

17. Little Star (Indie Pop, 4pts)

18. Candace (Psych/Shoegaze, 4pts)

19. Zozma (Psych/Shoegaze, 4pts)

20. On drugs (Punk/Garage, 4pts)

21. James Curry IV (Electronic/Experimental, 3.5pts)

22. Mini Blinds (Indie Pop, 3.5pts)

 *photo by Cary Clarke

As we come to the close of another round of genre polling, this one sees an interesting pair of categories mashing up together in voting. Thinking of indie rock and post-punk in the same light is weird enough, but what isn't strange is who all of you chose as the winners. We're pleased to present you with the best in indie rock and post-punk for 2017: Lithics and The Toads.

Lithics are the winners of our overall poll, with much love given to them from our anonymous jurors. They dropped Borrowed Floors last year, along with playing a series of shows throughout the year that made a lasting impression on many of our poll participants. One of their first shows of 2017 will be this Friday with Sad Horse and Blesst Chest at Turn Turn Turn.

The Toads took over the readers' poll with their fun loving, power pop indie rock without a problem. Theses dudes really know how to write an easily lovable rock song that makes you want to pogo up and down with a huge smile on your face. Always Be Nice, the EP they released in October of last year, is a much needed reminder to spread some love and kindness around. You can check out their lovely live set at Quarterworld on Thursday with Radler.

A more than honorable mention needs to go out to Star Club, who gave The Toads a huge run for their money in the readers' poll!

	Blowout		3%	10 votes
	Dark/Light		2%	6 votes
	Marcys Band		7%	18 votes
	Lithics		2%	7 votes
	The Century		1%	4 votes
	Star Club		35%	91 votes
	The Toads		45%	115 votes
	Tyrants		1%	4 votes

Good pop punk seems to be hard to find nowadays. Our remembrances of the genre call us back to a late 90's, early 2000's period where a particular innocence was captured in the chaos of bouncing about. 

Thankfully, local trio the Toads exist to make sure pop punk isn't dead. Their new EP Always Be Nice, due out tomorrow, showcases that.

From its opening title track to the garage tinged and vengeful "I Don't Get Hungover (I Get Even)" rounding it out, it's solid enough to make us crave more.

Join the Toads tomorrow at the Firkin Tavern for the Always Be Nice EP release show, along with CASTLES and Kings & Vagabonds and then again on the 29th for a pre-Halloween party with the Hugs and Stunning Rayguns at the Kenton Club. There are the last two shows with drummer Mitch Gonzales, so come see him off properly!

*photo by Todd Young 

Coming out onto the scene with a fervent drive to dominate the pop punk world with excitable power, The Toads have done a lot with themselves in their first year as a band. Since their formation early last year, they've recorded a full length, performed upwards of 60 shows and have a couple music videos to tout. Today, we're presenting you with another one.

With shots filmed around the Pearl, "I'm a Toad" is a fun video showing the three toadies, guitarist Matt Kane, bassist Matt Dinaro and drummer Mitch Gonzales run somewhat of a muck through Saturday Market, donning all white a la Andrew W.K. Their color performance scenes were filmed at the Khao San restaurant, with the restaurant owner Bud funding the video and even making a guest appearance chauffeuring the trio around in a Tuk Tuk.

The Toads have got a show coming up on the 28th with Daisy Deaths and Lord Becky at the Turn Turn Turn. "I'm a Toad" is both the kind of song and video that makes you want to jump up, act crazy and freak a few people out. Give it a watch below.

Donned in the finest of linens and strangest of face masks, experimental rock band Kulululu are officially dropping their new addicting single "We Are Kulululu."  The track bounces back and forth between jazzy progressions and full fledged rock, delivered to you in raucously burstful spurts. You're guaranteed to seizurely gyrate and jump about. They're playing a show at Noon TODAY at the PSU blocks but if you can't make it out, they're playing another show on the 30th at the Turn Turn Turn with Rilla and The Toads.

Check out "We Are Kulululu" below!

-Cervante Pope