Three Imaginary Girls - Seattle's sparkly indie-pop press

Sasquatch 2013: Your guide to navigating the side stages {Sunday, May 26th}

John in Ballard — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:27:59 +0000

We're giving you the day-by-day for this year's Sasquatch! music festival -- check out our recommendations for Friday here, Saturday here, and read on for Sunday's picks!

Start Sunday off right with Seattle’s Deep Sea Diver, playing at 1:00 on the Bigfoot stage. Originally a solo project of guitarist Jessica Dobson, the band has evolved into a three piece that includes her husband Peter Mansen on drums. Dobson shreds on guitar; enough so that she’s spent time during the past year on tour as a guitarist for The Shins. Must see! Next up, at 2:00 on the Yeti stage, is Sean Nelson, who most will know as the former frontman for Harvey Danger. Nelson is set to release a solo album on June 4^th titled Make Good Choices, featuring collaborations from Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, and this will be a good chance to hear some of those new songs up-close-and-personal style.

At 3:05 on the Bigfoot stage is Diiv. The four-piece band is the project of Z. Cole Smith, former member of the band Beach Fossils. Smith has a strong admiration for Kurt Cobain, but the band has a sound that's distinctly different from his musical idol: elements of krautrock and early 90’s shoegaze dominate Diiv's vibe. For a changeup, Seattle rapper/producer/multi-instrumentalist O.C. Notes will be taking the Cthulhu stage at 4:15. The project is the moniker of Otis Calvin III, who can also be heard in the hip-hop duo Metal Chocolates. For Sasquatch, he’ll be joined live on stage by several talented Seattle area musicians, including Erik Blood on bass, Thomas Hunter (Wild Orchid Children) on guitar, Trent Moorman (Head Like A Kite) on drums, and Vox Mod on synths. Can't wait!!

Recommended SIFF + Ticket Giveaway: The Punk Singer

Imaginary Amie — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:38:27 +0000

I don't even feel like I need to write anything clever about Kathleen Hanna, because SHE IS KATHLEEN HANNA. Hello. HELLO.

So look. Here's the deal: We have a pair of tickets to give away to each showing of Sini Anderson's documentary The Punk Singer (obviously, about Kathleen Hanna). The film screens this Friday, 5/24, 9:30pm and again on Sunday, 5/26, 1:30pm at The Harvard Exit. Enter to win by sending an email to us at tig {at} threeimaginarygirls {dot} com with the subject line "Ramalamding dong" anytime between now and 5pm on Wednesday 5/22. And make sure you tell us WHICH screening you want tickets to! We'll notify the winners Thursday morning.

SIFF Take: Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me

Imaginary Amie — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:13:01 +0000

Naturally my great love for The Posies led me to my great love for Big Star -- and I still remember being outraged when watching That '70s Show and realizing the version of "In the Street" playing over the credits wasn't Big Star's original, but instead a cover by … Cheap Trick. What.

Big Star is one of those great power pop bands that people didn't appreciate until long after their albums were released. They're the kings of vocal harmonies and guitar riffs (I could listen to "Feel" all day, every day and NEVER, EVER get tired of it), and they know how to drag a song out until you feel like you can't take it anymore, and then finish it off with a bang -- leaving you feeling exhausted, but satiated, and yes -- wanting more. So much more.

Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me does a stellar job not only covering the history of the band from Alex Chilton and Chris Bell's first collaboration, but also touches on the personal struggles of each. It's a complete picture of Big Star from its inception to its demise -- and later resurrection -- and of course, it's loaded with awesome tunes (Psst: Ominvore Recordings is releasing the soundtrack on vinyl!). It's a gorgeous portrait of the band, and a must-see for fans.

{Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me screens at the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival on Tuesday, 5/21, 9pm, and again on Sunday, 5/26, 8:30pm at SIFF Cinema Uptown}

In the House (Dans la maison)

Imaginary Amie — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:49:59 +0000

{In the House opened in Seattle on Friday, 5/17, and is screening at the Landmark Seven Gables Theatre}

In the House is the latest thriller from atmospheric maestro François Ozon, and while it’s a bit more subtle than Swimming Pool or Hideaway, manohman does it deliver on the chills.

Bored literature teacher Germain (Fabrice Luchini) finds interest and inspiration in a new Freshman’s fictional story, but when he confronts the boy, Claude, about it, he admits it’s based in reality, and is about his friend Rapha’s family. The startled professor initially gives Claude a hard time about it, but then encourages him to continue for the sake of the story, offering to help the boy develop his literary gift.

As each page rolls in, Germain and his wife, Jeanne, (Kristin Scott Thomas) read them out loud and become more and more engrossed in the story—even as it gets more and more disturbing. Knowing he’s got them hooked, Claude plays along by ending the pages with “to be continued…”

Ozon cloaks the scenes with Claude and Rapha’s family in heavy suspense (complete with tinkly thriller music) so you never know if what the Germains are reading is true or not. You’re never sure what Claude’s intentions are—only that they’re somewhat sinister. And as Germain and Jeanne fall deeper and deeper under his spell, you can only watch—and wait. And wait. And wait … to see what happens.

The whole film has an unsettling, voyeuristic effect. Just what you want in a thriller, and definitely worth your (non-SIFF) dollars this weekend.

{In the House opened in Seattle on Friday, 5/17, and is screening at the Landmark Seven Gables Theatre}

In the House is the latest thriller from atmospheric maestro François Ozon, and while it’s a bit more subtle than Swimming Pool or Hideaway, manohman does it deliver on the chills.

Photo Essay: SIFF Opening Night! Whedonverse meets SIFFverse

three imaginary girls — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:30:15 +0000

WOW. Wow. wow. When we sent Imaginary Amie & Rich to the SIFF Opening Night Red Carpet last night, we didn't realize how AMAZING it would be. I mean, we had an idea -- but holycrap, you guys. It was AWESOME. So much Whedonverse & SIFFverse goodness together!

Amie live-tweeted and recorded some Vine videos while Rich took on the photos (find his full set here), and both laughed and cheered along with the crowd as the Directors and Stars arrived. Below is a sampling of what we experienced!

{more photos after the jump}