We are a Portland, Oregon based synth-driven band comprised of 5 friends from Alaska, who formed their own project after years of creating separately. Drawing inspiration from acts like The National, Death Cab for Cutie, CHVRCHES, MODERNS and Phantogram, we hope to ignite the grey area between synth-based electro and indie rock.

Portland, Oregon's EYELIDS existed long before the actual band came to be. Friends for over two decades, principal songwriters John Moen and Chris Slusarenko had long desired to get together to write songs, “sweet melodies” paired with “bummer vibes,” which would fuse Big Star’s jangle to XTC’s melodicism, connecting the dots between the dream pop sounds of the ‘80s Paisley Underground to the homespun post-punk of the legendary Flying Nun label.

For years, Moen and Slusarenko played and wrote in the company of some of the most legendary songwriters of indie rock including Robert Pollard (Guided by Voices), Stephen Malkmus (Pavement/Jicks), Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) and Elliott Smith. In 2014 they decided that it was time to finally start writing and recording together, adding the talents of guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Drews (Sunset Valley, Damien Jurado). The end result was their thirteen song debut album, 854, which gained positive notes from A/V Club, Brooklyn Vegan, BBC6 Radio and MOJO magazine. NPR called them “Portland’s best kept secret”.

That secret was short lived. Over the course of the next two-and-a-half years, the band has issued recordings at a prolific clip: They’ve released five 7”s and a 12” EP (which was labeled “EP/single of the year” by legendary East Coast freeform radio station WFMU ). They toured in the States and overseas, as headliners and as openers for Drive-By Truckers & The Charlatans UK (after hearing 854 Charlatans leader Tim Burgess asked to release the album overseas via his O Genesis label).

“With the first album we quickly realized that we were not just a studio project but a band, that wanted to play these songs live,” Slusarenko says. Eyelids wasted no time enlisting Paul Pulvirenti (No. 2, Elliott Smith) and Jim Talstra (The Minus 5, Dharma Bums) as their rhythm section. The band’s live action led directly to the band’s new album, or. “We wanted to make the second album with all five of us from the beginning and it was pretty exciting to see that come to full bloom,” Slusarenko says.

With or, the band’s second full-length LP, Eyelids has created their most emotional record yet. Produced by Peter Buck of R.E.M. and mixed by Thom Monahan (Peter, Bjorn and John, Devandra Banhart, Fruit Bats), or is liberally sprinkled with the hooks, melodies, and charming wordplay that make a certain kind of rock & roll fan fall madly in love with an LP. It’s all evident in the opening song, “Slow It Goes” — is that a play on Vonnegut or Nick Lowe? Somehow both feel appropriate — the kind of classic easily slotted between Superchunk and the Raspberries on a mixtape, locked and loaded with a perfectly winsome expression of angst: “She says, ‘If I can keep from sighing, why can’t you?’” From there, the sequence dives deeper and deeper into Slusarenko and Moen’s love of underground pop: listen to those sparkling “Starry Eyes”-worthy guitars on “Falling Eyes,” the psychedelic swirl of “My Caved In Mind,” and the Dream Syndicate mysticism of “Tell Me You Know.”

or is the sound of a band realizing its potential, of old friends connecting creatively and sonically, creating exuberant, nuanced, pop music.

PDX Spotlight brings you the podcast version of our monthly music series hosted by radio and tv personality (and music junkie) Luke Neill.  Based in Portland, Oregon PDX Spotlight has been highlighting local bands for over 5 years and now brings you bands from all over the country.  There’s a lot more great music content coming so stay up to date by subscribing to our YouTube channel and following us on our social sites!  AND if you want to check out past episodes that have not been made into podcasts you can find them at http://www.pdxspotlight.com/videos.   We’ve got over 50 full episodes!

Next show... Your Love, It Lies EP Release at Bit House Saloon in Portland, Oregon. Sets from Kingsley and Hayley Lynn. 9pm Tickets $7 presale at my website www.hannahdimo.com, $10 atd. 

New single “Yes Means Yes” below
 https://spoti.fi/2XJ08Hs 
Right in the heart of NE Portland, Oregon, 27 year old Hannah DiMo is turning the heads of the towns major movers and shakers with her enthusiastic style. With monthly gigs everywhere from backyards to large clubs, DiMo and her band have been steadily on the rise as one of Portland newest musical acts that should not be ignored. 
Originally from the small oil town, Bakersfield, California, Hannah DiMo decided to make the leap to Oregon at the end of 2017 in search of a new scene to grow her music. Describing her music as mainly pop/blues/rock but also "whatever you'd like to call it" and a wink, DiMo writes melodic songs about love, social justice and heartbreak paired with savory guitar licks and beautiful vocals. Hannah DiMo is described by those who have worked with her as not only a well-studied musician but also a genuine person who wants to see everyone succeed and have a blast while they're at it.
DiMo has been actively gigging and recording since relocating here and her new music has already been featured on Portland radio stations KINK, PRP and KBOO. She has plans to release an EP by the middle of 2019 featuring her full rock band.

Shannon Entropy is a creative collaboration from the Pacific Northwest known for their insightful blend of complex math rock rhythms and dark minimalist hip-hop vibes for a refreshing take on Indie Pop.

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