Three Imaginary Girls - Popfests

NYC Popfest 2011 :: recap!

Steve Louie — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:01:06 +0000

The fifth anniversary of NYC Popfest kicked off with a sold-out show at the Cake Shop with headliners the Pains of Being Pure at
Heart, who were announced to the opening night bill only a week before the start of the festival. (Talk about a pleasant surprise!) Pet Milk {hailing from Philadelphia} started the night in strong fashion, belting out amiable noisey-garage pop tracks. The impending rumour that May 21st would be the end of the world didn’t stop Pet Milk from playing an upbeat catchy pop number called “Christian Solicitors,” which managed to making us feel like it wouldn’t be a bad thing if they were one of the last bands we ever saw.

It's Popfest time: NYC Popfest 2011

Steve Louie — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:17:43 +0000

PopFest season is soon upon us!

The first of many PopFests happening this year is the NYC Popfest, taking place from May 19th to 22nd. Now it's in 5th year, the lineup looks incredible with fantastic pop bands from the US along with bands from the UK, Sweden, Australia, Canada and Japan. And it's not too late to find a last minute sale train or plane ticket and join me there! Full Festival passes and show tickets are still available.

There's too many to name but really stoked to see the likes of Betty & the Werewolves (UK), Soda Shop (NYC), Dream Diary (NYC), the Felt Tips (UK), Silver Swans (SF) and Procedure Club (CT) and always a crowd favourite, Go Sailor (US). Also, just announced is the FREE all ages daytime show on Friday, May 20th at the Paul Smith Sale Shop in Brooklyn with Ian & Emma of Pocketbooks (UK) and Rose Melberg.

The NYC Popfest will take place all over the city (and isn't it beautiful this time of year?) at various venues throughout the city including the Cameo Gallery, Spike Hill, Santos, the Rock Shop and the legendary Cake Shop. Oh man, the Cake Shop. Is this for real? You can have your cake and pop music too?!

I'll be there with camera and notepad in hand, so if you can't make it (are you sure?), check back at tig and I'll recap all the amazingness.

Athens Popfest roundup: 5 days of awesome

imaginary keenan — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:00:36 +0000

{a rare Popfest sight - an empty 40 Watt, by Rich Guiterrez}

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Athens Popfest is always the best week of the year for indie pop nerds, and this year was no exception. Think five days straight of raging shows, surrounded by so many old and new favorite bands and your "camp buddies" you only see once a year + 100 (or more) degree heat and southern humidity + cheap booze + insane nerdery. All I can really say is that it was epic, for so many reasons. Here are a few highlights.

Top five favorite bands:
1. Go Sailor
There was kind of no way that this wasn't going to be my favorite, as I'm a die hard Go Sailor fan, but their set was amplified by me and about 20 other die hard Go Sailor fans screaming along every word to every song. You just can't buy that kind of camaraderie and sense of community. At that moment, Go Sailor were our Beatles. We spent the whole set singing specific favorite lyrics to each other and jumping up and down and dancing our asses off. I consequently spent the rest of popfest without a voice. It was totally worth it. Their whole set was recorded and is on youtube, but here's my favorite song of the set "A Fine Day For Sailing". (That's us in the background.)

Athens Popfest countdown: Apples In Stereo

imaginary keenan — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:20:20 +0000

In all this hubub of getting ready to leave for popfest, I keep forgetting that one of my all time favorite bands, The Apples In Stereo, are playing! I've been so focused on learning about all of the bands that I didn't previously know about, just so I wouldn't miss something by accident, that it's hardly registered that Friday night will close out with the wonderful stylings of Elephant 6 legends. When everyone gushes about their undying love of Neutral Milk Hotel and Olivia Tremor Control and all related projects of those bands, all I can think about is how much I love the Apples (OK, I've probably just lost friends for admitting that on the internet).

I'm pretty much a sucker for anything that rips off the Beatles and 60's psych-pop well, and Robert Schneider of the Apples in Stereo does it better than anyone. While his love songs are often about space (and sometimes time travel), it still feels incredibly heartfealt. While the new Apples stuff delves way more into an ELO territory, it's still completely amazing and his pop genius still shines through all the vocoder. I'll have to stretch beforehand to make sure I can dance my ass off all night.

There are too many Apples favorites to pick just one, but this clip of perrenial live favorite "Ruby", which generally features guest vocals by whatever friends are there (in this case, TIG favorites Poison Control Center and Fishboy), completely embodies the true spirit of Athens Popfest (though it was not recorded there): playing music with and for your friends and other like-minded folks. It envariably ends up in a crazy dance party.

Athens Popfest countdown: Witches would be right at home in the NW

imaginary keenan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 01:14:10 +0000

Up next in the bands I'm chomping at the bit to see at Athens Popfest are Athens locals Witches, another band I hadn't heard until I saw them on the Popfest lineup. While they have the unfortunate slot of last on Wednesday night (an all day 2pm-2am run at the smaller venue, Little Kings), I know I'll be pounding the widely available vats of iced unsweet tea and pacing myself on the Little Kings drink special ($4 Makers Mark and Blendheim's ginger ale!) to be able to make it to 1am not too worn out and tipsy to properly enjoy Witches.

I've been listening to their myspace page for a few weeks now, but have been struggling with how to describe them without too much ridiculous (and inaccurate) hyperbole, and the best I've come up with is a touch of mid-tempo late period Sleater-Kinney mixed with Silkworm's interpretations of Neil Young. Their popfest bio just says "Think: WIPERS, NIRVANA, DEAD MOON, THE BREEDERS, NEIL YOUNG, BEYONCE" and honestly, that's pretty accurate.

Check out this video with live audio and scenes from their performance at a Mexican restaurant in Athens.

{photo by Mike White/Deadly Designs from the Athens Popfest website}

Athens Popfest countdown: My not-so-introverted romance with P.S. Eliot

imaginary keenan — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 23:48:38 +0000

Last summer, I was on tour for 2 months, and for several weeks, we arrived in town after town (and often, to the same venue) the day after Birmingham, AL's P.S. Eliot, just missing them. I should have known better, that if my peers loved this band so much that I would too, and should have instantly gone out to pick up their record Introverted Romance In Our Troubled Minds, but for some reason, I shelved that thought and spent an unfortunate year not in love with P.S. Eliot.

Finally, when I heard they were playing Athens Popfest, I made a point of listening to their vinyl only album at Jigsaw Records, and was blown away. I must confess, female fronted pop punk is among my absolute favorite genres of music, especially when it's peppered with well-worded heartfealt lyrics about love and life, and P.S. Eliot fits that bill exactly, creating poppy/punky 90's twinged indie rock along the lines of a more Southern but just as angsty The Glass Intact-era Sarge. Here's an acoustic version of the song that's been stuck in my head all day "We'd Never Agree".

Imaginary Mixtape {August 2010}: Lost at the festival, where could they be?

imaginary liz — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:08:06 +0000

Lost at the festival, where could they be?
At any ole place where the wi-fi is free.

It's true, our favorite part of the summer is the avalanche of festival possibilities. There's little better in the world than dozens of your new favorite bands playing one after the other on a sunny day in an exotic locale. This edition of the Imaginary Mixtape we share tracks from some of the cutest bands playing the Athens Popfest {August 10-14 in Athens, GA} and take a consoling look back at the amazing Indietracks festival line up {takes place each year at the end of July in the UK - fingers crossed next year we can make the trip?}. But, we start off the podcast looking at some awesome August events in Seattle. Get ready to mark up your calendars!

You can listen to a stream or download the MP3 version of the podcast on the imaginary bandcamp page. Bandcamp prohibits tracks longer than 25 minutes {I think it's some regulation against jam bands?}, so the podcast is split into three sections for those that like to listen via the bandcamp stream.

PART 1: Preview of some Seattle shows and events in August

PART 2: Athens Popfest preview

PART 3: Looking back at the UK festival, Indietracks

If you are the type that likes to listen to podcasts in itunes, download the .m4a file here {one single file with fancy chapters even!} and then open it in your itunes {Thanks to Jigsaw Records for hosting it!}.

Tracklisting: Imaginary Mixtape - August 2010:

Athens Popfest countdown: Standard Fare is my new favorite band

imaginary keenan — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:25:34 +0000

{photographer of adorable photo unknown, but from the Bar/None website}

Holy moly! Athens Popfest is just over a week away! I'm spotlighting a handful of bands that I'm most excited to see. Let's kick off with my most anticipated band, Standard Fare.

From the first moment I heard the drum clicks into a perfect Johnny Marr-esque guitar jangle into the line "You're only 15/what was I thinking?" from the song “Fifteen”, I was hooked on Sheffield indie pop trio Standard Fare. Combining swooning boy/girl vocals and guitar lines ripped from 90's alt-rock bands (in a good way) with heartbreakingly sincere and simple lyrics, Standard Fare's debut album The Noyelle Beat is one of the best debuts I've heard in ages.

Imaginary Mixtape: NYC and SF Popfest edition {May 2010}

imaginary liz — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:29:59 +0000

May is a magical month here in Seattle. We've got spots of sun teasing us with summer promises, Sasquatch anticipation running rampant, and the warm glows of SIFF oozing with the best international indie films. There's only one reason we'd ever want to leave our emerald city bubble during this sweet spot of the year... a good ole fashioned PopFest!

This year, the month of May brought with it two very enticing reasons to head elsewhere: The New York City Popfest {May 20-23, 2010} and the San Francisco Popfest {May 27-30, 2010}. To mark these special events, we've gathered up some of our favorite songs by folks playing these festivals which includes a couple cover songs, a not-yet-released Math & Physics Club song and some rarities to up the popfest ante. If you were one of the lucky folks that caught any of the NYC or SF Popfest shows, let us know how it went!

***Listen to the Imaginary Popfest Podcast MP3***
{To download the podcast, right click on the link above
and save to your computer}

Athens Popfest 2010 lineup announced

imaginary keenan — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:42:08 +0000

Today is like Christmas morning for indie pop nerds. Today, I am giddy as hell because THE ATHENS POPFEST LINEUP HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED! I've compared Athens Popfest before to indie pop summer camp, but basically, it's the best week out of the year for anyone who loves indie pop. And this year, I think they've really done it with the lineup:

The Wedding Present, Mission of Burma, Apples In Stereo, Go Sailor, Circulatory System, Oh-OK (early Athens greatness), Joe Jack Talcum (Dead Milkmen), Nana Grizol, BOAT, Cars Can Be Blue, Poison Control Center, Gold-Bears, Dream Diary, Eux Autres, Afternoon Naps, World Atlas, Your Heart Breaks and more. Complete lineup after the jump. Commence freaking out and immediately buying plane tickets now. Check out complete band bios here.

Brand new song from Still Flyin

imaginary keenan — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:11:16 +0000

{photo from press release}

We're pleased to bring you a brand new song from our favoritist hammjamm million piece San Francisco Band, Still Flyin. Imaginary Liz was completely obsessed with their song "The Hott Chord Is Struck" (and the fact it sounds like he's saying "tits") for pretty much the last year straight. This new jam, "Runaway Train II" doesn't quite have the explosive energy the name suggests, but it's got a great 70's groove and contains all the necessary pieces that equate to a damn fine dance party.

Portrait of an Artist: Fred Schneider part 2!

D. Crane — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:10:07 +0000

This is the second part of the first installment of Portrait of an Artist. D. Crane will interview musicians and artists who blow his mind. Read along and see him sharpen his interview skills to that of a slightly sharp pencil. Fred Schneider was the inspiration for the song “(do the) Magic Centipede,” off of BOAT’s Setting the Paces LP. His new band is called the Superions. They make the most ridiculous surreal/silly dance music around. Read part 1 here.

Fred, here is my attempt to ask you some clever/wacky/personal questions. The level of cleverness/wackiness/personal-ness seems more minute now that I know that you appeared on Howard Stern, last week! But here I go anyway!

Assuming you go to Totally Nude Island, what piece of clothing would you miss the most?

My wallet! To buy all the fabulous things at the gift shop!

Are you vegetarian? How long?

Since ’72. A friend talked me into it after I dropped out of college. I never liked fish anyway!

Where should I eat when I visit Athens for the Popfest?

In Athens there is a great vegetarian restaurant called the Grit, and a lot of other places that are really vegetarian friendly.

What happened with the ham in the video?

We bought the ham and were gonna donate it, but it fell on the floor during the video.

Do you like the song "Monster Mash"? It’s maybe my favorite song of all time.

Yes! I love everything Halloween. I love old school Halloween.

What is Sprechstimme?

Talk singing. When I started I am just singing as I go along. If you listen closely there is hesitancy. It is not for dramatic effect. I’m trying to think of what to say next.

Portrait of an Artist with Fred Schneider: How many guys would rhyme bodices with goddesses?

D. Crane — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:14:12 +0000

Or: How I Got to Interview Fred Schneider for 25 Minutes---SPONTANEOUS—BASIL LOVER—HERO OF THE SILLY AND ABSURD

This is the first part of the first installment of Portrait of an Artist. D. Crane will interview musicians and artists who blow his mind. Read along and see him sharpen his interview skills to that of a slightly sharp pencil. Fred Schneider was the inspiration for the song “(do the) Magic Centipede,” off of BOAT’s Setting the Paces LP. His new band is called the Superions, and they have a brand new self-titled EP/LP on Athens, GA's Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records. They make the most ridiculous surreal/silly dance music around. Stay tuned for the second part later this week.

How did you get in touch with Mike from Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records (HHBTM)?

I am a record nut and he runs a record store, so naturally we hit it off. I heard that he runs a label with two of my favorite acts, Cars Can Be Blue and the Lolligags. I knew he was an honest guy and a hard worker, so I suggested to the Superions, “Hey, let’s put this out on a small label.” Originally, it was going to be a single, but there were some remixes that I thought turned out great, and I couldn’t be happier.

How long ago did the Superions start?

We started about 5 years ago as the Del Morons. The first song we did was a song called “Totally Nude Island.” Dan and Noah came up with the music and I just went in the bathroom and came up with the words off the top of my head. We thought it was fun. People said they liked it and told us to put it on Itunes, and that they’d buy it. Most of the HHBTM recordings were recorded soon after.

Athens Popfest 2010 first lineup announcement!

imaginary keenan — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:23:22 +0000

{Robert Schneider from the Apples In Stereo from Athens Popfest 2008}

We here at TIG have been crushing out over Athens Popfest for years. I've been every year since 2006 and Liz went in 2005 and 2007. It's pretty much always the best week of the year, fusing together amazing indie pop, delicious food (seriously, Athens has the best!), and wonderful community. I look forward to the lineup announcement all year long, and the wonderful popfest folks have given us just a taste of what's to come, featuring some of my current favorite bands and lots of TIG favorites (and as always, some newbies I'm so excited to hear)!

Three Imaginary Girls San Francisco Popfest Podcast {May, 2009}

three imaginary girls — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:27:13 +0000

From Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24, 2009, Three Imaginary Girls staffers Liz and Keenan will be running around the San Francisco partaking in all the fun of the San Francisco Popfest. This podcast showcases some of the bands they are most looking forward to seeing while there with

49:44 minutes (43.81 MB)