at Crocodile Cafe

No frills set up for Damien. He walks on stage 10 minutes before his scheduled set time, takes his jacket off, opens a can of Coke, plugs his guitar in and starts playing. I've equated Damien's music as musical elixir in the autumn/winter months. I don't know what it is but themes of despair, longing and brokenness just sets the right mood in the background for those dark, wet foresty Pacific Northwest days. So here I am now in the spring and spirits are much higher, the outside air fresh and warmer.

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Upset. The word of the our 2008 Best Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll is upset.

With the Fleet Foxes winning readers and critical polls alike, who would've thought they wouldn't get top honors in our humble little Northwest poll? But they didn't -- they placed a distant second to New Faces, another debut record from some very talented, very young Northwest fellas.

We had other surprises as well, with unsigned newcomers such as Hey Marseilles, the Kindness Kind, and Kaylee Cole cracking the top ten, beating out Northwest heavyweights such as Death Cab for Cutie. We did not expect that. And we love it when you surprise us, dear readers.

We imaginaries like to champion the up-and-comers from the Northwest, and our results indicate that you do as well. We think you all also have fabulous taste, as always. Thanks to everyone who participated in our poll. We couldn't be more proud or thrilled to present the top 50 winners on your behalf...

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TIG staffers are a lot like you -- coming up with our list of faves for the year is a fun and gripping process. After comparing/contrasting/debating our individual favorites, we figured the sum of our imaginary parts would make for an interesting list.

While ChrisB and Keenan, among other things, brought in the power-pop elements,  Chris Estey stood by the smartie subtle elements of this year's Northwest offerings. Imaginary liz, as usual, loved the lo-fi and indie-pop songs, while imaginary dana spent much of the year obessed with Throw the the Statue and of course, the Fleet Foxes. And nearly all of us agreed that the Saturday Knights album was a force to be reckoned with. Here's our our staff votes tallied up...

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I'm a chronic procrastinator, so here it is, January 5th, and I'm finally ready to make sense of the musical chaos and wonderment that was 2008 and compile a list of favorites.

Don't even try to make me rank these releases in order, or I'll never, ever finish my list. Let's just say these were some of the very best local bands in my iTunes list this year, presented alphabetically.

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Seattle has some of the most picturesque vistas (most of which are found within local clubs like Chop Suey and the Comet Tavern). It's no surprise that TIG photographer Kyle Johnson has a stack of photos he loves that have been taken by some of Seattle's finest photographers.

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at The Triple Door

It was, in short, the most truly pure emotive night of live music that I have witnessed in recent memory.

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The possible zenith of an extraordinary career.

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Download our brand new Election Day podcast and take it with you to the polls! Enjoy the wait while you listen to some great new songs from Northwest bands and indie-popsters alike. Plus you get to listen to Liz and I chit-chat. What could be better, we ask?

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Greetings, and happy Election Day!

We face this historic election brimming with hope (and nerves). We must confess, we're going to miss the crazy whirlwind drama that has been this election season. At least, a little.

Mostly, we feel relieved to know that we can refocus our imaginary attention back where it belongs: on music!

In fact, we have a brand new podcast today, chock full o' delightful Northwest bands and indie-pop tunes. It's our Election Day gift to each of you.

Download this podcast to take to the polls!

at The Triple Door

This show was so luxuriantly long and qualitatively generous that I heard nothing but warm feelings of satisfaction from Jurado's fans as they left the Triple Door.

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