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Northwest Bands | Northwest News | Recommended shows

A very imaginary weekend: PopCon, Record Store Day, and more!

So, you're not one of the lucky folks with tickets to Prince? Fret not, dear imaginaries. There are endless options to get your music fix this weekend, between a bounty of shows, PopCon, Record Store Day, and KEXP's Hood-to-Hood Celebration -- and that's barely the beginning of it.

Lace up those sneakers and make yourself a schedule! Here's some of the things we'll be out taking in over the next few days:

FRIDAY

KEXP's Hood-to-Hood Celebration 2013 {U District}

{KEXP Hood-to-Hood 2013}

If you're reading this from your desk at work, it's likely you've already missed Jonathan Russell {The Head and the Heart}, Damien Jurado and Tomo Nakayama {Grand Hallway} opening up a day of live broadcasting and bands at Red Square. It's all happening as part of KEXP's Hood-to-Hood Day Celebration in the U District, going strong until 6pm tonight, with a ton of evening DJ sets and performances in area venues after that (PS, most are free). You can catch Alex, Larry Rose, Quilty 3000, see Pony Time play a live set, or check out a photo showcase as part of the Artwalk! There's also a Cafe Racer memorial benefit with Don Slack and Greg Vandy happening {at Cafe Racer, 8:30p, $5 suggested donation}. Check out the KEXP blog for more details.

White Hawaiian {The Blue Moon}

There's a whole slew of people taking the stage at the Blue Moon tonight, but we're most excited about the show's opener, White Hawaiian. You know Jamie Aaron as the guitarist in Eighteen Individual Eyes and H is for Hellgate, and in this incarnation, she'll be bringing her dreamy, moody, lo-fi multi-track goodness solo style. Pop on over here to check out Jamie's Soundcloud vibes, and get yourself to the bar early as she'll be starting off the night. More info about the show (and the rest of the bands) at the Facebook event page here.

SATURDAY

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Friday, April 19, 2013
by imaginary victoria
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Latest comment by: Litsa Dremousis: "^ That should read, "...I hope *you* reveled in..." Argh: late-night typo!"

Crushes | Recommended shows | Videos

Don't miss: Lady at Neumos {TONIGHT}

{Lady}

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!

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Thursday, April 18, 2013
by Imaginary Karen
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Recommended shows

Recommended Show: Crystal Castles at the Moore {4/30}

{Crystal Castles}

The Toronto based duo of producer/beat maker Ethan Kath and singer Alice Glass seem to have a tendency towards the dark and weird corners of the musical landscape. Their album art features young girls in graveyards, and song titles like “Suffocation”, “Plague”, “Pale Flesh”, and “Violent Dreams.” With all of this gothic imagery, one might conclude that a Crystal Castles live show might consist of a bunch of quiet kids swaying back and forth looking at the ground. That couldn’t be farther from reality.

Crystal Castles music is largely lo-fi and electronic based, and has evolved over the years from the 8-bit, video game sounds of some of their early work (2008’s Crystal Castles) to the fuller, drum-and-bass heavy beats of their latest release (2012’s III). Their live show consists of an often-hooded Kath hunched behind a keyboard, with Glass jumping around chaotically on stage, screaming and bouncing in front of a pulsating strobe light. They often bring a live drummer along with them just to make sure all those drum beats land with enough emphasis. This is a show meant for dancing and breaking a sweat.

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Tuesday, April 16, 2013
by John in Ballard
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Film | Northwest News | Videos

Imaginary Watch This: The Glamour & The Squalor

The trailer for The Glamour & The Squalor has finally been released! (And there was much rejoicing) Warning: I got a little choked up around the 1:43 mark. I’m super excited for this documentary about the amazing Marco Collins to hurry up and come out—although I know we have kind of a long road ahead of us. From the Facebook page:

The Glamour and the Squalor is a feature-length documentary film project about the rise, fall and reemergence of Hall of Fame radio personality Marco Collins, the creation of Seattle’s 107.7 The End, and how together they shaped the future of music – launching the careers of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Beck, Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie, Foo Fighters, Garbage and others. The film will also explore Marco’s current battle to stay clean after a decade of drug abuse, his return to breaking contemporary music, as well as his role in the heated and historic marriage equality vote in Washington state.

Oh man I CANNOT WAIT. Coincidentally, I found a 107.77 The End sticker that I had saved from my community college days while spring cleaning yesterday. I loved listening to Marco on the radio during his heyday and I’m so, so, so pleased he’s still around and doing his thing on Jet City Stream, and that I’ll be able to see him sharing his story (and his struggles) on the big screen soon.

Who else is excited for this?!?!?!

Friday, April 12, 2013
by Imaginary Amie
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Beard Alert | Crushes | Northwest Bands | Recommended shows

Don't miss: Pablo Trucker at the Tractor {tonight!}

{Pablo Trucker}

Are you free tonight? Do you have six dollars? GREAT! Here's what you're doing: hop on a bus or get in your car around, oh, 8:15, and head on down to the Tractor {doors are at 8pm} to catch Pablo Trucker's opening set. They're playing first of three, opening for Invisible Shivers and Garage Voice. While I'm sure those two bands are well worth your time, the ticket price is worth it just to see these guys start the show (and would be true at double the cost).

In case you've missed me emoting about Andrew and Brian here, here, here, here, here and here, you can take a pop on over to their bandcamp page to get a feel for some of their recent work {and listen to releases going back to '09ish}. Pablo Trucker sets basically guarantee ultimate sad bastard moves that will put all the sad bastard moves you've known until now to utter shame.

Generally speaking, openers take the stage around 9pm, so don't be late!

{Photo courtesy of the band.}

Thursday, April 11, 2013
by imaginary victoria
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