at The Vera Project

While Seattle Thermals shows in the past few years have been an ever intensifying, sometimes dangerous, almost orgy-like melding of bodies dancing and screaming along in a completely packed and joyful room, Seattle once again proved its often icy disposition and the half empty crowd stood quietly tapping their feet and nodding along, occasionally mouthing along the lyrics with little emotion. Was it too cold outside to dance? Were people tired since it was Sunday? I guess it made me feel a bit nostalgic, as years ago, my friends and I used to be the only ones up front dancing our asses off at Thermals shows. The one clear benefit of this, was the ability to stand up front without fear of being crushed to death or accidentally punched in the eye. Still, I missed the chaos, and it looked like the band did as well.

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We have a lot of fun in store at this year's Imaginary Winter Holiday Spectacular {December 23 at Chop Suey}. We've lined up a posse of sassy Christmas Belles (perfect photo opp for a holiday card), amazing huge raffle prizes up for grabs (a free raffle ticket for everyone who comes through the door!) and performances by five of the best bands in Seattle: The Redwood Plan, Wallpaper, the Nightgowns, Skeletons with Flesh on Them, and The Special Places

But, we need your help to put the jingle in our step: We're looking for a couple volunteers to share their most memorable holiday moment, be them hilarious, surprising, or (especially) embarrassing.

Tell us about the time you accidentally ended up making out with the drive-thru guy when you were sent out to pick up more eggnog or read that holiday form letter sent out to all the loved ones by your Aunt Trixie a couple years ago... the one where she talked about her rash and "the incident"? That one was a doozy!

If you've got a short story to tell or memory you'd like to recount for the class, email me at liz@threeimaginarygirls.com. We'll be sorting through all submissions leading up to the show and coordinate with the "most memorable" entrants. Everyone who takes the stage to share will get free entry to the show and a special imaginary prize.

Really, getting up on the Chop Suey stage, sharing your tale and toasting (or getting toasted because of) the holiday? There's no better way to celebrate than that.

{Thanks for the photo yalehneb}

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Uneven albums by your favorite artists are like spending a uneventful, sort of boring evening with your very best friend. You could criticize the night, but you're still really glad she was there anyways, and it's not like you would take those hours back.

In the wake of roots-soulful indie rock band Grant Lee Buffalo, singer/songwriter Grant-Lee Phillips recorded his most recent solo album Little Moon in just four days with a small tribe of veterans, including Jay Bellerose (the drummer from the Allison Krauss/Robert Plant Raising Sand album). Jamie Edwards puts a cozy wash of keyboards and sweet fills between Phillips' coy and wizened vocals and Bellerose's drums, with Sebastian Aymans adding more clickety-clank style percussion as well. Bass player Paul Bryan is hardly there in a good way.

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at Neumos

If you are a super nerdy Thermals fan, you probably already know that the trio is heading back into the studio with Chris Walla. And you also probably had tickets for KEXP's Yule Ball, last night, where the lucky few who actually made it into the packed, sold out venue were treated to a sampling of their new stuff. Sweet! But if you absolutelylovethethermals and missed it, don't fret little Johnny! Just come down to The Vera Project tonight, where they will be playing the hits, again, with two other Portland luminaries, Dirty Mittens and Explode Into Colors. yessssss.

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As I am often prone to say, I can not stress with enough adjective how badly you need to get yourself to this show tonight. It is, in fact, a moral imperative.

Fact #1: Pearly Gate Music is one of the best new bands to happen to Seattle since forever. I gush and gush to anyone who will listen to me about their epic-ly penned lyrics, their seamless stage presence, and the harmonies that, at times, put the best of the best to shame. As stated in one of said previous gushes:

To get an idea of their sound, first think about some Fleet Fox multi-layered vocal awesomeness. Then, back out the campfire-y brand of Americana storytelling, and add in some heartstring-yanking lyrics (something about your hair, and my clumsy hands). Now, make it all pour out of these four ridiculously talented dudes on command, like someone is flipping on the flawless switch. That's about as close as I can get to describing what they do, and I don't even know if I'm doing them appropriate justice in my use of adjective.

Oh, and here's a quick PS worth noting: they just got signed to Barsuk. (Hells yes!) So you'll do yourself a favor to come & get it on with them at the Croc before they're playing shows too big for you to get into on a whim. It's worth noting that I stated this earlier in '09 after their KEXP in-studio aired, standing at the Sunset, which was packed to the brim for their mid-slot set -- and I actively realized that it would be most unlikely that I'd see them in a venue this intimate again anytime soon.

Fact #2: J. Tillman's new album will kick the crap out of you. Really. The most recent release on it speaks the truth, so far as I've been able to tell:

Unknown to just about everyone, Tillman started recording in April, tracking most of the instruments during the two week session himself. Hammered dulcimer, banjo, recorder, cymbals of varying size and wheezing air organs all feature heavily and lend YITK it's bizarre scale, conjuring tidal shifts with tiny movements. The string arrangements, performed by Jenna Conrad, as well as transposed from Tillman's sung direction, were intended to rest on chords almost counter-intuitively, bringing to bloom complex, decontextualized tones.  Most noticeable upon first listen, however, is the production itself.  While most of Tillman's records evidence some shambolic home recording, YITK is undisturbed throughout. Out up front of the mix, and dry as a bone, Tillman's voice is featured in a way unlike any of his previous records.

The new work is epic and gorgeous -- however, heed this fair warning: in order to enjoy it, you're going to need to stand up straight and pay attention, kids. The last time I caught J. Tillman & Co. at the Croc, a particularly ornery batch of loud-mouths about a half-dozen songs into the set kind of wiped out the vibe. The band responded by going up as loud as a half-dozen people can without breaking windows, and proceeded to blow the roof off the Croc -- and then they walked off stage. They're worthy of your undivided attention -- so make sure you bring it.

See you at the show!

Sonicsgate @SIFF Cinema {12/11 to 12/17}: True, I’m not a big sports fan – but I did go to many a Sonics game when I was wee with my dad, so Seattle Basketball is wrapped in a big ball of fun nostalgia for me, and of course I was sad when our team left us. This documentary investigates the truth behind the heated 2008 legal battle for our SuperSonics, including interviews with NBA stars, media, attorneys, and Save Our Sonics co-founders Brian Robinson & Steven Pyeatt.

Bonus: Slick Watts is scheduled to attend the Saturday screening, and the film’s producers are giving out FREE DVD copies to each person who attends a screening – all week long!

Hedwig & the Angry Inch @Central Cinema {12/11 to 12/16}: If you’ve never seen this film, it’s a MUST. John Cameron Mitchell created a stunning rock musical with a heartbreaking story and one of the most complex, interesting leads I’ve ever seen. It’s the kind of film you can watch over and over and never get tired of – plus it’s got a fantastic soundtrack. Head over to CC and check it out this weekend.

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