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!

We can't say enough about how much we heart this shot from the Margot and the Nuclear So and So's show at the Crocodile last week, by new imaginary contributor Beth Crook. On top of this lil' gem, there's more candy for your eyes over in our flickr pool -- if you haven't clicked there lately, you should definitely grab a cup of coffee and pop through some of our recent contributions! Bands like Flight to Mars, Allo Darlin', and events like the most recent 826 Seattle Fundraiser {featuring performances by Shelby Earl, Star Anna, Cristina Bautista, and John Roderick} are just a few things you can expect to drool over, from contributors Jason Tang, Steve Louie, and Victoria VanBruinisse, among others.

And PS, did we mention we just broke the 20,000 image mark? Holy frijoles!

We were lucky enough to catch up with our friends Hey Marseilles this past weekend at KEXP for their Audioasis in-studio. Stopping by for a few songs before heading off to their sold-out show at the Neptune Theater {with Nick Jaina and Bryan John Appleby supporting}, they managed to wow the airwaves with some gorgeous new sounds that left us chomping at the bit for their next release.

Check out the archived performance over at KEXP, and more photos in KEXP's flickr pool here.

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We spent some time swooning in the front row this past Saturday, as DeVotchKa hit those croon-tastic chords they're famous for from the stage of the Paramount. The part-Russian-funeral, part-carnival sound filled the room nicely, and we were even able to get a peek at Chris Nelson's photography exhibit {opening tomorrow} as we were on our way out.

You can see the whole set over in our ever-sparkly imaginary flickr pool -- where you can also contribute photos from shows and events you've been to recently.

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It was quite the Monday night earlier this week, when Rhett Miller and the Old 97's took over the Showbox with a little help from Langhorne Slim. 2011 has started off with a run of great shows: nights with the Head and the Heart, Damien Jurado, Lemolo, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, and Jose Bold have packed the last twenty-odd days (and that's just naming a few). Not to mention last weekend's Crafternoon, where we listened to the new Radio Dept. album and made some of the cutest Valentine's Day cards this side of the sound.

Coming up, we'll be seeing what's sure to be stellar evenings from Say Hi, Cotton Jones, The Builders and the Butchers, John Darnielle, the Cave Singers, and the annual Dancing on the Valentine spectacular, which is coming our way on February 11th at the Crocodile -- save that date! What's coming up on your dance card in the next few weeks? What have you seen in 2011 so far that's knocked your socks off? Talk about it below, and visit our imaginary flickr pool to fawn over (or add) some photos.

{Big thanks to David J. Lee for the shot of our favorite serial ladykiller above!}

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Holy hair whip, Batman!

I spied this photo by Amelia Gydé in our Sparkly Indie-Pop Flickr Stream and had to share it with you guys. Check out the rest of her set and photos from this weekend's shows (including some awesome shots by our own Imaginary Victoria from The Head and the Heart show!) and escape the rest of your Monday.

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As if we needed another reason to love The Head and the Heart and Seattle and KEXP {who put together the free show last week}, imaginary photographer Victoria VanBruinisse captured all three in one of the most beautiful dreamy shots ever.

Now that we've kinda rested up from the crazy past few days, tell us all about your faves, notsofaves, surprises, and happiest moments of the weekend!

You can peruse all the other amazing photos from this weekend in the Imaginary Flickr Photo Pool {and add yours}!

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{photos: Victoria VanBruinisse -- more photos to be posted soon!}

Last night's Old 97s show was the dreamiest night I've had in a long time.  We started off by sneaking into the band's soundcheck, getting primo happy hour-action at Frenchie fancy Maximillion at the Market {oui oui!} then heading back to the show and having our vintage embroidered cowboy boots knocked off by both the Old 97s *and* their opening band David Wax Museum. The full recap of the night will be up in the next 24 hours {complete with set list, blow by blow recap of each dream weaver swoon, and tons of hot hot amazing photos}, but for the time being, let's sit back and drink in the brilliance of last night with this here photo of the day post. 

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{the official set list... although we're not entirely sure they stuck to it}

Those of us who excel at anagrams, gathering clues, and love all things Long Winters were in luck last night as our blessed pack of Long Winters took the Crocodile stage last night under the scrabble'd headlining name The Newton Girls.  The cozy set featured old and new songs, punctuated by signature John Roderick between-song banter. Hilarity ensued and wonderful indie-rock memories were made.

Where you at the show?  Tell us your favorite (car)parts!  Share your photos!

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Tonight is the Clem Snide show at the Tractor. If Imaginary Victoria didn't convince you of the Eef Barzelay magic yesterday, perhaps this stunning photo taken by Laura Musselman at last year's Tractor show will?

If Clem Snide isn't your thing right now, here's the full range of options on the imaginary calendar for tonight:

• Cartel Invasion/Flatline/Certified Cartel/Feezable The Germ, Rendezvous
• Clem Snide/The Heligoats/Cady Wire, Tractor !
• Hypocrisy/Scar Symmetry/Hate/Blackguard/Swashbuckle/Irony, El Corazon*
• Portal/Aldebaran/Mitochondrion/Scorched Earth/In Memorium, Funhouse
• Evelyn Evelyn {Amanda Palmer & Jason Webley}, Showbox !
• Big Spider's Back/Boomsnake/Thousands, Sunset
• Whalebones/Hard Drugs/Low Hums, Comet !
• Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Triple Door*
• The Jesus Rehab/Julia Massey & The FFD/Audioart, Nectar
• Soulive/Staxx Brothers, Neumo's
• Guns For Radios/Astrovan/Hot Sue, High Dive