Ah, the K-Streets... I last saw them in the winter, and I guess now is the time to see them in the summer - a banner year, I know! No information is available about them, but if you were to ask me what it's like and what to expect, I'd say parts of their songs sometimes sound like they were taken out of the charts, and you will maybe think "is it familiar?" Anyways, you should do the right thing and find your way to the Sunset for an exciting night.
Let me just say that sitting on your hands on the couch (even in someone's else's room) would really be a waste of time and so wrong, wrong, wrong. The Runaway Trains and Girl Trouble open the show, but I'm always full of impatience, and if I have to wait it out for one more hour, that would be everything I don't need! I just ask that if you find your way to the front fast enough, save room for me. Oh, and be sure to ask Niffer, who is celebrating a birthday that night, to "please make a wish, it's your birthday!"
Here's a video of the last time the K-Streets played at the Sunset. It's not to be missed!
Connor Desai is set to play ToST in Fremont this Friday night with two bands, including Benyaro. She'll be going on about 9 PM, and though her excellent second album Use Your Hands features delightful playing from other musicians (including Paris Burley on violin), this will be a stripped down solo set to show off the strength of new songs like the simmering "Waiting" and the mesmerizing "Friend of the Devil" to friends and strangers alike.
Desai makes creatively personal, deeply attractive, very cool, roots-based pop music. Released earlier this summer, Use Your Hands (awesome title) hints at the often direct and confessional aspect of her lyric writing, but the music is not lost in an icy swirl of indie rock distance. Instead, it's hollow-bodied warmth, tube amp glow, and dark lounge haunt-drama. The title track itself, finishing off the full length, is seven and a half minutes of beauty perfecting itself. The Jazz Music Examiner was right to say that Desai is an "extraordinary Seattle artist with a voice all her own," and she was recently featured on a Channel One profile.
Bands I really like keep getting back together. Wait. Let me rephrase that: bands that I really like, that I discover after they have broken up, keep getting back together! Whether it's for a show or an album, the chance to make reality what you've only imagined previously is totally rad.
File under: DUDE.BANGS IS TOTALLY PLAYING AND IT IS GOING TO RULE.
In true Northwest spirit, Bangs and the Need are reuniting for a few nights for a series of fundraising shows (in Seattle, Olympia, and Portland). This Wednesday {June 21}, our leg of this regional mini-tour will take place as Bangs, C-Average, Thrones and THE NEED (holy jebus!) grace the Crocodile stage.
All of this goodness is in response to some not-so-goodness: the show is a benefit for former KRS employee Natalie Cox, who was diagnosed with angiosarcoma a year ago.
Please come out and show your support! If these shows are out of driving distance -- or price range -- you can visit http://www.teamnataliecox.blogspot.com/ and help out the cause if you're inclined.
There are no other words to describe the melding of the ethereal musings of Grandaddy {Jason Lytle and Aaron Burtch} and Earlimart {Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray} in one Admiral Radley package than utterly dreamy. The band crafts a cloud of soft melodies that calm a nervous heart and comfort with commiseration. Best news of the morning? You can melt in their arms *right now* because NPR is streaming the entire AR album.
Admiral Radley is going to be at The Crocodile with Herman Jolly on Monday, July 19 and we've got a pair of tickets to giveaway! To throw your name in the hat for the tickets, email tig@ ThreeImaginaryGirls.com with the subject line "TruckStopsAndTheSymphony" before Thursday, July 15 at 9pm.
If Ariel Pink isn't your thing, then consider checking out Iowa's favorite sons, The Poison Control Center tonight at the High Dive! Think of it as Pavement with gymnastics. I've seen these boys a bunch (including last night in a 200 sq ft basement in Olympia) and they are absolutely one of my favorite live bands. You can hear me gush for about a minute straight on our latest Imaginary Mixtape about how much I love this band.
No two shows are the same, but last night's set included a crowd surfing guitar player, tons of guitar solos played upside down candle-stick style (see above), and lots of rolling on the floor and doing the splits. I just wish I'd brought a camera. Of course, tonight they play on a stage, but as you can see in this below video, that doesn't make much of a difference. If you're looking to thrash around (with Salmon Thraser opening, no less!) with a giant grin on your face, I'll see you at the High Dive.
When I asked my dude if he wanted to see John Roderick at the Triple Door this Thursday with me, his response was "I don't know. Is he just going to read his tweets?"
Our dear indie-rock-Santa-Claus John Roderick has had a very prolific Twitter career lately, posting little tiny bits of genius at 140 characters (follow him @johhnroderick, it's very much well worth your time). He recently won "Tweet of the Year" from the Seattle Weekly Web Awards. Barsuk even put out a book last year, Electric Aphorisms, containing 365 of his tweets. Said dude of mine refused to buy this for me for Christmas (despite my pleading), saying he'll buy his next album, but he refuses to support him actively not making music.
Well, the time has come again to actively support John Roderick making music. He's booked 3 solo-ish shows (some with special guests) at the Triple Door this summer, and the first one is tomorrow. He's said (via twitter) that all old songs are on the table. (There may even be a handful of new songs. ) Jason Dodson of the Maldives opens, along with J-Rod's childhood friend Karen Korn doing stand up (and part of me hopes this stand up will all be ridiculous stories of J-Rod as a child, because how awesome would that be?). The show is all ages and starts at 8. Plus, it's going to be like 90 degrees tomorrow, and the Triple Door has fancy schmancy air conditioning. Skip the movie you will inevitably have to go see to escape the heat and come support one of Seattle's greatest songwriters.
Dear Seattle: You do not want to miss Matt Bishop's set at the Tractor tonight. The end.
If you were fortunate enough to see our favorite local seven-piece indie.orchestra-pop band's frontman go solo at the last City Arts Song Show, you are familiar with the awesomeness of which we speak. Matt Bishop, of the highly-esteemed, new vinyl-releasin', fresh-off-still-kinda-mid-tour Hey Marseilles, puts on a solo show that does not dissapoint -- the City Arts set was full of stripped down full-band favorites and a few new takes on some sweet old covers. All that and a choice set of interview questions for a lovely evening did make.
Drooling yet? Well, fret not: if you missed Matt's last showcase showdown, you've got yourself a second chance. Perched in the opening spot for Peasant tonight sits HM's lead songsterer, doing a full solo set for the proverbial cause. He's been dropping love notes via Facebook invites that direct the masses to his newly ressurected MySpace page -- where four previously unreleased solo tracks have been put forth for our listening pleasure. And really good ones, at that: one of our new non-negotiable, can't-live-without tracks is Matt's gorgeous, sparse cover of "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS.
This coming weekend is going to be full of more fun than an swim-up pool bar. Friday night (7/9) we have the blessed reunion of Carissa's Wierd at the Showbox at the Market. If you haven't heard why you must be there, you can sample their song and hear some reasons on our recent Imaginary Mixtape podcast. Or you can just read intricate tales of our long term Carissa's Wierd love affair.
That same Friday night our friends at TBTL are hosting an amazing night of "Imaginary Radio" over at the swanky new Columbia City Theater with performances by Sir Mix A Lot, Rachel Flotard, John Roderick, Ben Huh and others. It's already sold out, but for those of us that can't make it on Friday, the TBTL-ers have added a Saturday night show (some tickets still available) with an equally stellar lineup: Smoosh, Blue Scholars, The Lonely Forest, Andy Haynes and a couple more surprises!
Of course, one look at the imaginary calendar and you can see a bunch of other possibilities too! Which way are you headed this weekend?
I've had the fortune of crossing paths with Tom Brosseau many times in the five years since we first met, and it's always been nothing short of total perfection. An intimate show at an all-ages venue back east, a night at the Living Room in New York City, sharing the stage with Ethan Rose and Shelley Short at the Tractor -- the list goes on and on. Both coasts and many stellar performances later, we recently landed at the 18th floor of the Hilton Garden in at SXSW together, and I got to experience Tom's work in a whole new light.
He's out on a purposeful small-room tour this go-round, bringing magic to our ears as part of a duo with the incredibly talented Angela Correa. Sweet, deconstructed original numbers carry their voices in a perfect blend of melody, with little more than Tom's acoustic meanderings and a foot tap here and there to keep the time. It's dramatic while remaining completely understated, powerful and intimate, and absolutely not-to-be-missed.
Check out their MySpace for a proper sampling of this modern take on some standard sounds, and then grab your ID and come down to Hattie's tonight. With all this andShelley Short opening up the night, you won't be disappointed. Promise.
Ready, steady, win! We've got twenty-four hours and some tickets to give away for two sweet shows at the Tractor.
First up is the lovely, swoonworthy Mr. Gregory Alan Isakov, who you may have been fortunate enough to catch at the High Dive when he came through town over the winter. His poignant, thoughtful lyrics will shoot right through your heartstrings, all DeVotchKa-esque old radio-microphone style. He'll be bringing the bliss to the Tractor on Sunday night, and we've got a pair of tickets to give away for you and a pal! Just send an email to tig{at}threeimaginarygirls.com with the subject line GregoryAlanMakeMySunday by 3pm Friday (yes! that's tomorrow!) and tell us why we should send you.
Second up, well -- we practically don't have to say anything more than the following:
Lou Barlow is playing the Tractor on Monday night.
and
We have two tickets to give away for the show. Dot com.
The first 15 people to buy tapes at this show will get a free split 7 inch with side A featuring Partman Parthorse- "Hardcore Fucking" and Side B, SPURM- "Making Love." Just think you get the best of both worlds for free with Emerald City Dummies, PMPH's new release. Kicking off the whole dang music orgy are Scraps, fellow ggnzla artists, and Mash Hall, previously They Live! Don't be fooled by “Dollar Bin,” PMPH's release from the new album, with such an awesome array of musical talents at their record release show, it's pretty clear that they don't hate all of Seattle's music scene. And let's say you DO hate on Seattle's music scene, well, where else can you drink, play basketball (the finals are on), and cheer along when one of your friend's bands get dissed on stage? Funhouse. Friday night.
Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside are playing tonight at Chop Suey, and you don't want to miss it. Seriously. Here's why:
A. First off, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside rules.
Really. I've raved about them before, but in case you missed it: these talented folks are the by-product of listening to all the right records. They've got a basic fifties-era guitar sensibility, with modern, dark (but not too dark) lyrical content -- more alt.indie.thinker than alt.indie.brooder -- and a voice that's been filtered through a Gramophone. Think of it this way: If Buddy Holly and Amy Winehouse were cousins, and existed in a time warp, and had a younger half-related sibling, it would be the sound of SF&TSO. Only better.
B. One-two punch: it's a benefit for Noise for the Needy.
In fact, it's kicking off all the amazing NFTN shows, which run through Sunday at various venues about town. Your hard-earned, well-spent eight dollars will be put to good use, as all the proceeds from this year's NFTN are benefitting the fine folks over at Teen Feed.
Lucky us! It's been less than a year since Fishboy's last stop in our fair city, and now, he's back for more! This time, he'll be solo, accompanied by only his fantastic songs and his wit. Lead Fish-dude Eric Michener writes insanely catchy and clever albums, such as 2007's rock opera Albatross: How We Failed To Save the Lone Star State with the Power of Rock and Roll about trying (and failing) to save the state of Texas with the ghost of Buddy Holly(one of my favorite albums of the last decade). It's like if Neutral Milk Hotel wrote fun songs all in the vein of "Holland 1945" instead of heartbreaking ones. You can stream the entire album here.
Rumor has it Fishboy is working on a new album right now. We got a bit of a taste the last time they were in town at Vera, though I've heard most of those songs have been scrapped. Michener always has a way of keeping his fans on their toes, so you never know what to expect, except a great time filled with fantastic songs. Stop into the Mars Bar on Friday to check out someone we can truly call a Three Imaginary Girls favorite. Show starts at 8:30 (Fishboy's on first) and also playing are the Terrordactyls, the Heligoats, and ten speed.
The flyers and descriptions for Cancer: The Musical don't hide much -- in fact, they give the whole story away:
You're gonna die. Sorry for your loss. Oh well, let's pretend we're Scientists. How do we, as Scientists, measure Loss scientifically?? And more importantly, where's the punchline? This solo show by Montana von Fliss (Scientist) will ask these questions and using the scientific method, carefully sidestep them. Through the story of caretaking for her dying dad, experience the joyously comedic approach to the ultimate end that is Cancer: The Musical (WARNING: may or may not contain actual musical).
Having driven by a poster in Capitol Hill, my initial query to Google wasn't about going to see the show, per se -- my curiousity was peaked, but at first I was just inquiring as to who had put forth such an appaling concept out into the stratosphere. Upon pushing the search button, however, I had an immediate change of heart and knew I had to get to the first performance I could.
{photo credit: the lovely Laura Musselman, courtesy of our imaginary flickr pool}
Now that we're all done with Sasquatch, it's time to set our sights on the next raddest lineup to hit the west coast: it's Noise for the Needy, 2010 edition. There's close to seventy-five bands and djs playing a baker's dozen of venues next weekend, when NFTN takes over every corner of Seattle from June 9th (Thursday) through the 13th (Sunday). Among the notables in big font this year are John Vanderslice, Visqueen, HorseFeathers, Delta Spirit, the Maldives, The Album Leaf, Animals at Night, The Portland Cello Project, and The Redwood Plan -- along with enough supporting acts to make your head spin. Tickets are available atBrown Paper Tickets, or you can just buy a la carte at each show / venue -- although there's some sweet all-access wristband deals being offered if you want to rock it like that.
Last Friday, Damien Jurado played to a packed house atEasy Street Records in West Seattle, as part of KEXP's Hood-to-Hood challenge winner's day. Not only did the performance round out a day of tremendous live acts and a blast of a broadcast, but it also gave us a sneak peek at the new album (out today), Saint Bartlett. The songs are tremendous, the performance blew the roof off of Easy Street, and the record completely translates into a dozen or so tracks of pure greatness.
If you missed all of this, however, fret not: you (and seventy-five of your closest friends) can go pack the Ballard Sonic Boom tonight for a encore performance at 6:30p. Tonight's set also marks the official release of Saint Bartlett, being new release Tuesday and all, and we'd highly recommend picking it up (on vinyl, if you have the means) while it's there to get your hands on.
Tonight is a three band deep jubilee of American self-expression as smart and intimate as a poem by Walt Whitman, and as big and overflowing with talent as a Seattle Carter Family.
The Tractor hosts See Me River's album release for The One That Got A Wake, their latest and best album so far. They're middle in the bill, but SMR's latest songs (among the best: "A Drink To The Kids," "Pasithea Will Try," and scopious character study and album opener "Heroine") are more ample in composition and have a flux in both lyrical insights and musical twists than ever. If you've often been blown away by the majestic pull and sweep of the Kerry Zettel and his dark-garbed collective of players' performances live but have been waiting for less minimalist and doomy undertones, the bracing, sobering wake up call of The One That Got A Wake will be the one that sucks you in. Check out the new songs and see for yourself, and I bet you'll be walking away with a copy tonight.
Join us as we celebrate our EIGHTH imaginary birthday and the release of Math & Physics Club's new album with a showcase of a few of Seattle's best indie bands at the Crocodile on Saturday, June 12!
Here's the info with which to mark your calendars:
Aqueduct Math & Physics Club {album release show!} Skeletons with Flesh on Them
Tickets are $10 in advance {buy}, doors at 8p and it's 21+.
If you're under 21 or just want to get a sneak listen to the new Math & Physics Club album, join us at our Crafty Imaginary Listening Party on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Neptune Coffee.
So if you're anything like me, you're just about done hemmorhaging from missing the Frightened Rabbit / We Were Promised Jetpacks Show -- and yes, it's deemed deserving of a capital 'S' -- over a year ago at Neumos. All Scots, all rage, and more big-guitar sad-bastard than you could possibly shake a stick (or several sticks, for that matter) at.
Well, the lovely folks at Neumo's have decided to give us ample chance to make up for missed opportunity. The first knock came when We Were Promised Jetpacks played with the Lonely Forest recently, ripping our eardrums out in the loveliest of ways a few months ago, and the second is coming this Sunday when Frightened Rabbit takes the stage with Maps and Atlases.
We could insert a gush here about how de-lovely the band is, or how much the new album they're touring behind -- The Winter of Mixed Drinks -- is nothing short of sweet perfection and a near-flawless follow-up to The Midnight Organ Fight, or how much we'd like to throw a party to thank whomever managed to wrangle poor Scott Hutchison's heart so perfectly -- but instead, we'll just let you soak up some of the goodness for yourself:
![[Matt Bishop / by Victoria VanBruinisse]](/files/uploaded-images/matt_bishop_072010.jpg)
![[tom brosseau and angela correa]](/files/uploaded-images/tomandshelly.jpg)
![[sallie ford and the sound outside \ photo by chris hunt]](/files/uploaded-images/salliefordnew0610.jpg)
Lucky us! It's been less than a year since Fishboy's last stop in our fair city, and now, he's back for more! This time, he'll be solo, accompanied by only his fantastic songs and his wit. Lead Fish-dude Eric Michener writes insanely catchy and clever albums, such as 2007's rock opera Albatross: How We Failed To Save the Lone Star State with the Power of Rock and Roll about trying (and failing) to save the state of Texas with the ghost of Buddy Holly (one of my favorite albums of the last decade). It's like if Neutral Milk Hotel wrote fun songs all in the vein of "Holland 1945" instead of heartbreaking ones. You can stream the entire album ![[john vanderslice / by laura musselman]](/files/uploaded-images/LM_JV.jpg)
