There are many things lacking in Portland as a place, especially within the music scene. Despite the obvious deficiency in diversity, there are key figures and artists within the scene that continually contribute to changing that. Homies are considered some of these figures. Led by Omar Cervantes and Ralf Rodriguez, the hazy, fuzz laden Spanish dream-surf they produce is one to easily enjoy. Their newest music video provides just as much of that minimalistic pleasure.

Artistically shot, the video that accompanying their track "Time Goes By" is in all black and white, splicing in deep notes about the concept of time, and how it is essentially meaningless. Flames and a flower are an intro before displaying "nada es nuestro." Translating to "nothing is ours," it's a perfect delineation of what the video is trying to portray.

Nothing, including time, may be truly ours, but there are still positive things that can be done with the construct. This Saturday 10.19, Homies are playing La Fuerza: a Bori-Mex Benefit, a disaster relief fundraiser meant to benefit those who suffered during the hurricanes in Mexico and Puerto Rico being held at the Portland Mercado. Sets from Brown Calculus, Cilantro, Máscaras, LuvJonez and Coast2c will also be happening, with proceeds going to the community kitchen construction project by Patronato de Arte Contemporáneo, Oregon para Puerto Rico and Jóvenes x Puerto Rico. There's even a tampon drive for Portland Menstrual Society and Amy Nieto-Cruz's donation to Puerto Rico so bring new, unopened product.

Until then, enjoy Homies' new video below.

timegoesby from LoboNahual on Vimeo.

If you fancy yourself one with a penchant for Spanish serenades blanketed by heavy fuzz and laid back riffs, then this new record from Homies is just right for you. The foursome, led by Ralf Rodriguez and Omar Cervantes, also features Jared Molyneux and Eric Shanafelt of the Shivas. Their combined efforts may be a somewhat recent development, but hopefully one that will be around for a long time.

The new self titled EP is made up of two previously released tracks and four new singles sung almost entirely in Spanish, for an end product that molds stylings like the Horrors and Halcyon Digest-era Deerhunter with an easily accessbile reverberated likability. It's addicting, and definitely a great release to end this year on.

Stream Homies below and head over to their Bandcamp page for a download.

Everyone needs Homies. For the sake of friendship of course and, for the sake of this post, good music. It's likely you've heard of both Ghost Mom and the Shivas. If not, shed some light onto that rock you've been living under, because there's somewhat of a new iteration to fall for. Homies has been in the making for a minute - basically since the somewhat indistinct hiatus of Ghost Mom - but after a couple band bumps in the road have found themselves fully formed and ready to let their music befriend us all. 

Consisting of Ralf and Omar from Ghost Mom and Jared from the Shivas, the trio generates an equal parts fuzzy, bluesy and rocking sound cushioned with a chill vocal delivery...in Spanish! Homies is working on a grip of new stuff, from an EP to tours in Europe and Mexico, but have some Portland dates slated to happen soon. For now, enjoy the language of love, served to you on a platter of keen tunes.

-Cervante Pope