The Imaginary Zine is a 60-page old school printed zine recounting our first 10 years with some of our favorite blog posts and stories from our imaginary friends. It is extemely limited with only 333 handcrafted zines made.
It also includes a cd chock full of rare, live, or exclusive songs by some of our favorite local artists, including The Long Winters, BOAT, Tullycraft, Exohxo, Tennis Pro, Math & Physics Club and many more!
It's a red-letter day, you guys.
Last week, our friends at Barsuk announced their fifteen year anniversary celebration. After we all get our faces melted off listening to Death Cab for Cutie run Transatlanticism start-to-finish at Bumbershoot, we'll have a mere sixty days until a weekend of incredible shows: from Thursday, November 7th through Sunday, November 10th, Barsuk will be showcasing present and alumni artists at lineups across town; specifically, at the Showbox, the Neptune, the Tractor, and Neumos / Barboza. Holy shit!
Before you start building your fantasy shows off of the roster {like, Ben Gibbard doing a set of All-Time Quarterback songs to open up for John Vanderslice opening up for Nada Surf at the Tractor, maybe?}, get this: today at noon, Barsuk is selling fifty pre-sale wristbands that get you into all four shows, with Uber transportation to and from each one and a complete set of limited edition numbered and signed screenprints {by Jason Munn}. The wristbands are $175.00, which works out to about $43.00 per show for the bands and a ride and a poster. That's not new math or anything, it's just a really fucking good deal. In fact, it saves you money! And PS, all of the net proceeds -- all of them, from these wristbands and all of the single show tickets -- are going to benefit Gilda's Club Seattle.
Peter Hook is back at it (OMG! OMG!), putting together a new North American tour to perform New Order’s Movement and Power, Corruption & Lies in their entirety. Considering that New Order is my favorite band EVER, I had to breathe into a paper bag for a full ten minutes to quit hyperventilating after I heard the announcement. Mark your calendars, people: September 25th is the day that Hooky will be bringing the original electro dance sound to Neumos. When I fall asleep at night, I dream about a world where everyone owns a panda and the boys of New Order play nice and get back together. It’s kind of like being from a broken home, constantly pulled between Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook for loyalty. Yeah, sure, Bernard is the voice -- but Hook’s signature bass playing is what totally defines the New Order sound for me.
While the latest reincarnation of New Order is also touring the States this summer, early word on the street has it that Peter Hook’s show is obliterating the competition with his vigor and enthusiasm on stage. I’m not surprised considering he always seemed the most comfortable of the group in the role of front man, and after seeing him perform Joy Division’s “Control” a few years ago at the Showbox, it was clear that Peter Hook wasn’t afraid of the vocals, doing an impressive job of re-creating the sound without straight imitating Ian Curtis.
Latest comment by: Imaginary Amie: "I am. I can't. OMG THIS IS AMAZING. "
New girl crush alert! I am seriously digging on the ladies of Lady. Their sweet beats and soulful harmonies are completely irresistible with a feminine sass that just dares you not to like them. And you can bet your ass I’m gonna be there when they play Neumos tonight.
These girls have some serious chops: both already have had successful solo careers, peaking in the last decade. Nicole Wray, who hails from Atlanta, was brought up through the business by none other than Miss Superfreak herself, Missy Elliot. Nicole’s single, “Make It Hot”, went gold way back in 1998. Rounding out the other half of lady is UK darling Terri Walker, her debut album was nominated for the Mercury Prize. When the two met in 2009 they decided to team up to make a record based on their shared passion for hip-hop, R&B, and classic soul. Well, they did just that, and guess what? Their self-titled debut album kicks ass!
Okay, it's not THAT far of a throwback, but it's hard to believe that this photo is already seven years old!
Maybe you remember that most excellent two-night stand The Wrens did for KEXP's Yule Benefit at Neumos back in 2005? We sure do! The Wrens played with Okkervil River (both nights!) (!!!!!) and a bevy of other bands including Harvey Danger -- and fresh off of CMJ was none other than our own Imaginary Victoria on one of her first visits to Seattle, years away from being an official imaginary. She grabbed this shot all those years ago, and today seemed like just a good a day as any to fondly remember all those early 00's indie rock shows.
What's your favorite 2005-ish music memory? Were you in Seattle? Or busy watching bands like The National and Pela at tiny east coast clubs? Let us know in the comments!
Latest comment by: davidly: "I saw 16 Seattle shows in 2005, but the memories are Paul Westerberg at the Showbox singing solo with his guitar standing on a drummer stool and Neko Case in a downpour that would not stop at the Zoo. Happy memories!"
Love beats death, so Graveyard on February 13th at Neumos is a fine way to usher in the red of Valentine’s Day.
Close your eyes when Graveyard starts their fuzzy-but-crisp psych-metal clatter, and you’ll think of Savoy Brown or Humble Pie, a whipped-up, throaty bellow from the 1970s. Yes, Graveyard has the moniker of a Nordic metal throwdown, and they can wield a fierce six-string solo. They skip speed and growl and instead rein in their time signatures so they have a more patient and unfurling vibe, much like their Gothenburg, Sweden, predecessors, Soundtrack of Our Lives. If you caught Ebbot Lundberg and his Soundtrack compadres back in the mid-2000s, then you have an idea of the double-kickdrum power, the big guitars, and Lundberg’s girth and proportionate yowl.
We were elbow-to-elbow with all our best pals in the front row at Neumos Saturday night, in the name of love, fundraising, and the one and only Jenny George. Yep, this past weekend was the 8th annual Dancing on the Valentine fundraiser, and it was jam-packed with great local bands belting out our favorite Cure tracks. The money's still being tallied, but judging by the crowd, we're sure that the night went a long way toward the annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society donation -- take a peek at the photos below and relive all the fun! We were particularly enamored with Lesli Wood (as usual), Adra Boo, NighTrain, Panama Gold, and those fellows in Fox and the Law:
Lesli Wood with Jupe Jupe
Latest comment by: Imaginary Amie: "Agreed. Simply gorg, V! And seeing all the amazing photo-ness makes me feel a little less sad that I couldn't be there. xoxoxo"
Lesli Wood (of The Redwood Plan) with Jupe Jupe last year at DOTV7.
Photo by: Ben Haley
Every year I tell you guys to get tickets to Jenny George's annual Dancing on the Valentine benefit show, and every year you listen to me, so I figure there's no reason to stop now! As previously mentioned, this year's show theme is A Cure for Leukemia - featuring local bands covering songs by The Cure, with all proceeds from tickets and raffles going to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Jenny drops the grand total off at their door each year on her birthday, and it's truly a thing of joy to watch. Last year we raised a total of $7, 714.83, and this year they're gunning for at least $10,000 with a bigger venue at Neumos, and an online art auction that's will run through the weekend. (PSST: There's still a chance to bid on some amazing pieces and get them for an awesome price!!!).
In addition to the all the kick-ass music, Ben Haley's famous photo booth, tunes by DJ Mike Steve, and Jenny's son Atticus making a special appearance, DOTV has teamed up with Uber to offer 50% off rides to and from the show (just enter code SEADOTV before requesting a car on your Uber app!), and partnered with both KEXP and CityArts Magazine for some much-appreciated support!
Dancing on the Valentine: A Cure for Leukemia is THIS Saturday! Doors at 8pm, tix $15, 21+ at Neumos. Get tickets now at Sonic Boom, or online here. This show has sold out the past 3 years! So DO NOT wait. To entice you further, I've included a breakdown of the bands playing this year after the jump - along with a list of the raffles we're going to bundle up for the. best. raffle. prizes. EVER.
Who's going to join me for some Hot Hot Hot times on Saturday!?!?!
You guys! There are only a few more weeks until Dancing on the Valentine 8: A Cure for Leukemia!
In case you haven't heard of DOTV before (what!), the fabulous Ms. Jenny George, a survivor of Leukemia, decided to start this benefit 8 years ago to give back to the organization that provides support to cancer patients, and is working hard to find a cure. The benefit has grown each year to raise more money for LLS, and this year DOTV is hoping to raise at least $10,000 to beat the hell out of last year's record-breaking $7,000+!
The 2013 show features local bands covering the music of The Cure at Neumos on Saturday, 2/9, with all proceeds from ticket sales and raffles going to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The line-up is FIERCE this year, with Adra Boo, Daniel G. Harmann and The Trouble Starts, Erik Blood, Gibraltar, Head Like a Kite, Hotels, Lesli Wood (of The Redwood Plan) w/Jupe Jupe, NighTrain, Panama Gold, The Grizzeled Mighty, Vox Mod, and interludes by DJ Mike Steve. Plus! Our own Imaginary Dana will be emcee'ing, and Jenny's handsome son Attitcus will be making a special appearance on stage at the beginning of the night to sing some Robert Smith!!!
We've got a pair of tix to giveaway to a lucky winner, so you can spend your donation dollars on raffle tickets instead. Email us at tig {at} threeimaginarygirls {dot} com with the subject line "Lovecats" anytime between now and 5pm Monday 2/4 for a chance to win 'em. We'll notify the winner Tuesday am.
{Dancing on the Valentine presents: A Cure for Leukemia: A Tribute to The Cure benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Sponsored by CityArts, KEXP, and Uber | Saturday, Feb 9 at Neumos | Doors at 8pm | $15 adv, 21+}
Seattle is divided into two parts: those who know Charles Bradley (and The Menahan Street Band) and those who don't. If you know Charles Bradley + Co., you've already got tickets for their show at Neumos tonight, and you'll probably be there at doors to get a spot up front (after you've tuned in to the KEXP in-studio they're doing at 1pm, of course). You've bought the album and seen the movie.
And you were beside yourself at Bumbershoot and Sasquatch! these past two years at getting a chance to see them live.
And if you don't know Charles Bradley, well -- you're in luck. We're here to help you out. Here's his official video for "The World Is Going Up In Flames" off of last year's smash, No Time For Dreaming.
So far, the self-titled first full-length from Poor Moon hasn’t received as much notice as some other Fleet Foxes-related acts, but that is certainly no fault of its own: on Poor Moon, deceptively simple arrangements of lilting vocal melodies and folksy instruments float just above preciousness in a macramé hammock.
Containing sounds drawn out of every aisle of a vintage record store – from Neil Young to barefoot, school bus-dwelling hippies and long-forgotten glossier pop groups – Poor Moon unsurprisingly bears a lot of resemblance to Fleet Foxes, especially on album closer “Birds.” If we're going to generalize, for the most part, this side project is Fleet Foxes shorn of their more experimental and psychedelic elements. I could forgive you for considering Poor Moon to be Fleet Foxes declawed, but I couldn't agree. For my money, the restrained elegance of Poor Moon is exquisite.
You don’t have to take my word for it, though. Poor Moon will be playing at Neumos with Tom Eddy + Pollens on September 20. Tickets are only $12, but if you’re feeling lucky enough, you might get in for free! Just shoot us an email at tig {at} threeimaginarygirls {dot} com with the subject "SendMeToPoorMoon" anytime between now and 2pm on Monday, September 17. We'll choose a winner Monday afternoon, and send you an email letting you know that you (and your choice of +1) are on the list for Thursday's show.
Good luck!
{Neumos / 21+ / $12 adv / 8pm doors. Tickets and more info available here. Photo credit: Kyle Johnson.}
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