Three Imaginary Girls

Seattle's Indie-Pop Press – Music Reviews, Film Reviews, and Big Fun

Jeff Tweedy - THING 2019 - Photo by Pete Hilgendorf

Day 2 of the very first THING festival was, to put it plainly, a delight.  Thousands of weekend attendees woke up in Port Townsend with the new knowledge that Fort Worden and THING are a breeze to navigate and to enjoy. Long gone were any fears of a cramped, stinky, and un-fun festival. This THING idea is clearly working!  This place is perfection. Make way for the music!  Black Belt Eagle Scout with Katherine Paul’s dreamy cool guitar+vocals set to the backdrop of a gorgeous view of the water brought us into the day. The Black Tones set the visual and sonic energy for everyone–Eva Walker and that white Stratocaster! This felt vital. Like a songbird from another planet, a winged Sudan Archives layered loops of electric mandolin, synth, and violin into the Port Townsend trees.

Speaking of…. Giants in the Trees were another visually stunning show with a cast of fascinating characters that oddly complimented Krist Novoselic every bit as much as his accordion does. For the next two and a half hours it was Phosphorescent, Calexico w/Iron & Wine, and Jeff Tweedy. Each were born for making life grand on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the grass as we were transported like blissful bunnies to the golden hour.

The standout of the day might have been Khruangbin. These three from Houston, TX have a style of music that is as difficult to describe as their band name is to pronounce. The basic ingredients of reggae, calypso, funk, raga, and surf music are tossed like a salad and served like a feast. It didn’t take long for the lawn chairs to find themselves empty. Their version of “Apache” is still ringing in my ears.

It must be said that Ryley Walker (trio) put on a supreme psychedelic set inside the smallest venue at THING (The Wheeler Theater). To step out of the sun and into that room, turn on, cool off, and kick back was nothing short of the best thing ever.

Last, and certainly not least, the Violent Femmes kept the horde of GenX moms and dads (and offspring) dancing long past bed time with those crabby and bouncy songs that made everyone feel like a punk in 1986.

When do THING 2020 tickets go on sale?

(click on small photos to see a larger version)

Black Belt Eagle Scout

Black Belt Eagle Scout. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Black Belt Eagle Scout

Black Belt Eagle Scout. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Black Belt Eagle Scout. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf

 

Sudan Archives

Sudan Archives. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Sudan Archives

Sudan Archives. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Sudan Archives. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Sudan Archives. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Sudan Archives. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Sudan Archives. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Sudan Archives. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf

Sudan Archives. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Sudan Archives

 

Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Violent Femmes

 

The Black Tones

The Black Tones. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
The Black Tones

The Black Tones. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf The Black Tones. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf The Black Tones. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf The Black Tones. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf The Black Tones. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf The Black Tones. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf

 

Giants in the Trees

Giants in the Trees. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Giants in the Trees

Giants in the Trees. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Giants in the Trees. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Giants in the Trees. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Giants in the Trees. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf

 

Phosphorescent

Phosphorescent. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Phosphorescent

Phosphorescent. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Phosphorescent. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Phosphorescent. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Phosphorescent. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf

 

Ryley Walker

Ryley Walker. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Ryley Walker

 

Khraungbin

Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Khraungbin

Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf

Khraungbin. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Khraungbin

 

Calexico & Iron & Wine

Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Calexico & Iron & Wine

Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf

Calexico & Iron & Wine. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Calexico & Iron & Wine

 

Jeff Tweedy

Jeff Tweedy. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Jeff Tweedy

 

Jeff Tweedy. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy. Photo by: Pete Hilgendorf
Jeff Tweedy

All photos: Pete Hilgendorf