Three Imaginary Girls - John Vanderslice

The weekend in photos: John Vanderslice at the Croc, Lovesick Empire at the Comet

imaginary victoria — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:53:31 +0000

In the onslaught of "I think I can smell spring tour" shows that took over the city this weekend, we found ourselves front-and-center for some of the best sets we've seen yet this year.

Thursday night, John Vanderslice played to a mostly-attentive yet less-than-capacity crowd at the Crocodile. Despite some technical difficulties, he put on the kind of performance we've come to expect: both the physical set and the vibe of the night were warm, inviting, and mindbendingly good. A night with JV is about as close as you can get as a fan to a night where you're sharing the stage-time with an old friend -- the familiar selections he chose to play were as excellent and comforting as ever, and the newest songs were folded in perfectly, leaving us wanting more of both. Which is not the easy feat for an artist with a compelling back catalog, mind you. Add in three parts local notable / designstress / musician Dianna Potter on accompanying vocals and one part audience participation bit, and our swoon-meters were absolutely done for.

White Wilderness

Chris Estey — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:27:16 +0000

7.6

http://www.amazon.com/White-Wilderness-John-Vanderslice/dp/B004DK4AMM/?tag=wwwthreeimagi-20

white-wilderness.jpg

San Francisco's John Vanderslice has worked his subtle, unique, elegant, and memorable musical magic for about eight full-lengths' worth of material. But like many excellent writers who fill lit journals and staff picks sections of bookstores, I have always walked away from his releases craving a little more, I don't know, danger. Vision. More happy accidents. Less concern to detail, a greater chance things might fall apart.

White Wilderness is his collaboration with Minna Choi and the Magik*Magik Orchestra, and just what he needed to do after hitting his singer-songwriter peak with 2009's Romanian Names (his last album for Barsuk). I wasn't able to hear his self-released Green Grow the Rushes EP before this debut on Dead Oceans, but the modern classical elements and instruments used to unpack or bundle up the nine songs on White Wilderness really help to make it more compelling to me than any of his earlier releases.

These are consistently somewhat sad, sober glimpses of the unsteadiness of existence, and the unity of entropy binding and crushing the world. The opening track "Sea Salt" feels like a woozy walk through the center-storm middle of a desert war zone, the cello ominously setting the protagonist up for possible cross-fire similar to images found in John Cale's solo post-punk work. "Convict Lake" is a brilliant slice of life gone weird, a short story about an animal surprise in the midst of a broken community.

Neither of these tracks are based in regular rock instrumentation, but feature gently chaotic keys and restrained strings and a hollowed-out rhythm that threatens to fall apart with what's being described by Vanderslice's smoothly melodic narration. For indie-rock fans who have a hankering for Scott Walker or less-rock XTC drama, these would satisfy on both levels. The album gets even more experimental from there, though occasional freezes in the pacing (as on the title track) tests the patience for enjoying it all the way through in one sitting.

Even so, it definitely points baroque folk-rock in a much appreciated even-further experimental direction than the big operatic epics of Vanderslice's contemporaries, showing that creative work can go deeper and quieter but demand just as much attention. And he worked up a gracious, if wasteland-chilling, set of songs to do this with on the perfectly-titled White Wilderness.

Damien Jurado & John Vanderslice to play house show in Tacoma

imaginary victoria — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:28:57 +0000

We're sad to report that by the time you read this post, this show will probably be sold out.

Somewhere in the depths of Tacoma this Wednesday night, a few dozen die-hards will be crowding the space of a stranger's living room to hear the sweet sounds of two imaginary favorites: none other than the esteemed Damien Jurado and John Vanderslice will be gracing us with their respective presence, in one room, at the same show. (We know. Seriously.) With the recent work these two gentlemen have seen fit to bestow upon the masses -- Jurado's St. Bartlett making a slew of top ten lists of 2010, and Vanderslice's White Wilderness (out earlier this month) starting the 2011 off right -- we can only surmise that this will be one hell of an evening.

Photo Essay: A Very Imaginary Holiday Party w/John Vanderslice, The Tripwires, Jose Bold & The Young Evils

Imaginary Amie — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:40:45 +0000

Last Thursday night, Three Imaginary Girls and a crowd of awesome music lovers kick-started the holidays with a benefit for Teen Feed (we raised enough to provide 20 youth direct mentoring with Support Coordinators, with a little leftover + a full garbage bag of clean socks!) featuring John Vanderslice -- who pulled double duty as Santa, Jose Bold, The Young Evils, and The Tripwires. DJ Greg Vandy warmed everyone up in The Bourbon Bar pre-show with classic holiday tunage, the Teen Feed peeps were rockin' a delicous table of homemade cookies, and there was lots of dancing, and many, many drinks were had (including one bright-green concoction called "The Elf" which was kind of terrifying, but easy to gulp down).

Luckily, we had fine photographers Jason Tang and Lori Paulson on hand to help capture the magic. It was hard to pick a few favorites to showcase here, but we did! Of course, you can always view the complete set in our Three Imaginary Girls Flickr Pool.

Another reason to join Santa Vanderslice at the Imaginary Holiday Office Party tonight {12/16}

imaginary liz — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:27:12 +0000

Grab your sleigh bells because tonight is the big night! Please join us at the Columbia City Theater this evening to kick the holidays into high gear with joyous cheer and amazing bands while raising money for stellar Seattle nonprofit, Teen Feed.

Besides having a stellar line-up, the night will feature a visit from Indie-Rock Santa, John Vanderslice! Take your place on his lap and have your photo taken by photographer extraordinaire Laura Musselman. These professionally taken photos with Santa are free and will be available for download on the Imaginary Flickr page by noon on Sunday, December 19.

If you've encountered our Santa Vanderslice before, you know that he's a dashing and wry indie-rocker, but did you also know that the guy is sweeter than a sugar cookie with icing and sprinkles? PasteMagazine.com recently posted a heartwarming interview with John Vanderslice by Litsa Dremousis. Truthcode, I teared up while reading it. JV gets pelted by school kids playing dodgeball while volunteering at 826 Valencia and loves it!

That's the Santa I want to have my photo taken with for sure.

See you at the party tonight. Doors are at 7pm with DJ Greg Vandy spinning vintage holiday favorites, photos with Santa start at 7:30pm, and the bands take the stage at 9pm.

{Photo: Jeanine Anderson}

Imaginary Mixtape {December, 2010 - part 3} featuring John Vanderslice, The Tripwires, The Young Evils, and Jose Bold

three imaginary girls — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:52:12 +0000

{Photo by Victoria VanBruinisse from the Imaginary Flickr Photo Pool}

There is nothing we'd love more than to celebrate this month of many holidays with us at this year's Imaginary Holiday Office Party. The night is going to have so many holly jolly wonderful things that going on we can't list them off in one breath (but you can read all about it here).

It's all going down on Thursday, December 16 at the Columbia City Theater and all proceeds from the show go to Seattle nonprofit, Teen Feed. We've gathered some of our favorite bands from Seattle as well as Santa John Vanderslice, who is not only taking the stage to perform, but will also be our Indie-Rock Santa for the evening (and you can get your photo taken upon his lap).

But don't take our word for it, this episode of the Imaginary Mixtape podcast is a sampling of each of the bands taking the Holiday Office Party stage. You can listen to a stream of the podcast below or download the MP3 version of the podcast on the imaginary bandcamp page.

If you are the type that likes to listen to podcasts in itunes, download the .m4a file here {it's one single file with fancy chapter markers!} and then open it in your itunes {big thanks to Jigsaw Records and Indie Pages for hosting the file!}.

We hope to see you at the holiday party!

Post that killer photo of you and Santa and win free tickets

imaginary liz — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:35:41 +0000

We are counting down to the moment that we get to {gently} plop our imaginary arses on the knee of Santa Vanderslice for a pretty photo taken by photographer extraordinaire Laura Musselman at the Imaginary Holiday Office Party next week {December 16, 2010}.

But we know that things haven't always been so indie-rock for all of us... and we want proof! Please share your favorite / best / worst / funniest / cutest photo of you with Santa by posting it in the comments section of the Facebook invite for the Imaginary Holiday Office Party.

We'll reward the photo with the most 'LIKE's by 9a December 13th with a pair of tickets to the Imaginary Holiday Office Party {Thursday, December 16 at the Columbia City Theater}.

We can't wait to see what Santa looked like when he has his photo taken with you!

{I know it doesn't look like I wearing a skirt in the above photo. Short skirts were in that year!}

Tickets to the Imaginary Holiday Office Party now available {supplies limited!}

imaginary liz — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:33:37 +0000

At 10am today {an icy November 24th}, the tickets to the Imaginary Holiday Office Party went on sale!

Tickets are limited, so race on over to Brown Paper Tickets right now to make sure you don't miss out on this jam packed night of amazing music and holiday cheer:

The Tripwires
The Young Evils
John Vanderslice {aka Indie-Rock Santa!}
Jose Bold

DJ Greg Vandy spinning vintage holiday songs in the Bourbon Bar while you get your photo taken by Laura Musselman on the lap of Santa Vanderslice.

Tickets are only $15 each and all proceeds will benefit Teed Feed, a Seattle non-profit who helps homeless youth as they meet their future off the streets. Teen Feed runs a free dinner program for youth ages 13-25, seven nights a week -- and we couldn't be more excited to have the opportunity to help support their efforts! In addition to purchasing a ticket to the event, party attendees can make donations in the form of cash, cheques, and packages of white tube socks (yes, white tube socks) the night of the event.

We do hope you can make it -- we can't imagine a holiday party without you!

The Imaginary Holiday Office Party: featuring... John Vanderslice!

imaginary liz — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:49:14 +0000

The search for mistletoe has begun -- and we're counting down to the big Imaginary Holiday Office Party!

The most exciting development of today: it's now officially official that John Vanderslice will not only be our Indie-Rock Santa for the night {and yes, you'll be able to get your picture taken with him for posterity by the amazing photographer Laura Musselman}, but he'll also be taking the stage to perform a set! That makes for a killer 4-band bill of:

~ The Tripwires
~ The Young Evils
~ John Vanderslice
~ Jose Bold {John Osebold of "AWESOME"}

We're eternally grateful to Killorn O'Neill for helping us to get the word out to the masses with this rad poster! We'll be slopping on our winter boots to staple these up around town (remember, imaginary volunteers are always welcome -- especially when it's a benefit!) Feel free to grab the above image and slap it on your blog / facebook page / desktop background to remind you to get your fine self there... and yes, there will be full-color mondo-size screenprints of the poster at the event for purchase.

We can't wait for this night of amazing music, tons of imaginary cheer, and to celebrate it all with you! Tickets will be on sale tomorrow {Wednesday, 11/24} at 10a {or there abouts} and all proceeds will benefit Teen Feed. We'll post and twitter and Facebook profusely when they are available for purchase -- but they are limited, so make sure you get yours while you can!

Ring in the holidays at the Imaginary Office Party with amazing bands and Indie Rock Santa John Vanderslice

three imaginary girls — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:47:23 +0000

{Holiday photo by Laura Musselman}

It's the time of year that calls for flasks by the punchbowl, pine-scented candles, and bejeweled reindeer sweaters. What a better way to ring in the holidays than with the The Imaginary Holiday Office Party!

On Thursday, December 16, Three Imaginary Girls will deck out the Columbia City Theater in holiday cheer with a little help from our friends: The Tripwires, The Young Evils, Jose Bold {John Osebold of "AWESOME" fame} and a special guest that is going to knock this town's socks off! In the Bourbon Bar, DJ Greg Vandy will be supplying the best in soul and roots starting at 7pm. And it wouldn't be an imaginary holiday party without our very own Indie Rock Santa!

Rad bands for a great cause: the NFTN 2010 lineup

imaginary victoria — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:48:45 +0000

{photo credit: the lovely Laura Musselman, courtesy of our imaginary flickr pool}

Now that we're all done with Sasquatch, it's time to set our sights on the next raddest lineup to hit the west coast: it's Noise for the Needy, 2010 edition. There's close to seventy-five bands and djs playing a baker's dozen of venues next weekend, when NFTN takes over every corner of Seattle from June 9th (Thursday) through the 13th (Sunday). Among the notables in big font this year are John Vanderslice, Visqueen, Horse Feathers, Delta Spirit, the Maldives, The Album Leaf, Animals at Night, The Portland Cello Project, and The Redwood Plan -- along with enough supporting acts to make your head spin. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets, or you can just buy a la carte at each show / venue -- although there's some sweet all-access wristband deals being offered if you want to rock it like that.

John Vanderslice's newest opus and a sample MP3

heather hydra — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:40:38 +0000

According to the press release, this new JV album, Romanian Names, is "the best record he's made to date." Apparently he recorded the album demos in his basement, giving the process a lot more time to breathe and grow organically.

John Vanderslice: tour dates with Mountain Goats & record release shows

imaginary victoria — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:54:34 +0000

Cross country for now, and Seattle in May!

Bumbershoot 2008: John Vanderslice

Chris Estey — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:07:06 +0000

1 Sep 2008

vandslice08sept-1.jpg

Monday afternoon at the KEXP Music Lounge during the Bumbershoot 2008 festival was THE place to be for awe-inspiring, intelligent, emotionally resonant modern rock music. Two Gallants had just earned a standing ovation and been ushered to the DJ booth for an interview by Rolling Stone correspondent Jonathan Zwickel as the comfy hidden venue was cleared for the next act, John Vanderslice, accompanied by North Carolina violinist Daniel Hart (of band Physics of Meaning).

"You're all here by invitation right?" Vanderslice joked before starting his wonderfully wistful, evocative set. "Usually we can't get into places like this." Vanderslice's musical narratives were sophisticated and funny, with lines like "I'll have my editors arrange for payment" jumping out from the sweet honey of his tumescent tunes. So many vivid images tumbled out of these melodic but never really mellow songs: A love of restlessness, a need for purpose, details about pots and pans and taped-over Krokus cassettes in hand-held recorders capturing sacred and terrible moments, hearts breaking as she goes to the ATM machine, Tarot decks with fateful cards, tinted windows.

I had never seen Vanderslice live before, and this succinct but somehow generous set made me want to go home and listen to all his records. It ended with he and Hart arousing the swooning audience to clap and stomp along with a final heartbreak number, as Vanderslice reminded us all that "the guy who stole your girlfriend from you in '75 is going to die." An intimate, endearing moment of beautiful music in the middle of the raging Seattle rock festival party surrounding it.

"You're all here by invitation right? We usually can't get into places like this."

Best of 2007: imaginary Dana's picks

imaginary dana — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:16:45 +0000

I have so many favorites for 2007 that narrowing the lists was tricky. Plus I'm preggo as a house and have NO memory at this point, so I'm sure I've inadvertently omitted some really great releases and songs. Forgive me and my wacked out hormones.

But that said, here are some Top of 2007 lists from me, to you. Feel free to leave comments both nasty and supportive. I likely deserve both for some of my erratic tastes.

The official results of the TIG Best NW Releases of 2007 Readers' Poll are coming VERY soon... stay tuned! In the meantime, some of my personal picks for a wonderful year in music past:

Favorite Releases of 2007:

Amy Winehouse Back to Black
Okkervil River The Stage Names
Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center
Beirut The Flying Cup Club
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
Shake Some Action Shake Some Action
Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours
John Vanderslice Emerald City
The Cave Singers Invitation Songs
The Fratellis Costello Music

Favorite Northwest Releases of 2007:

Best of 2007: Sarah Jo's picks

Sarah Joann Murphy — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:20:58 +0000

In absolutely no numeric order -- I could never pick favorites with a list like this!

John Vanderslice, exceeding expectations

imaginary dana — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 05:16:49 +0000

17 Oct 2007

jv07oct.jpg

Not long ago, I met writer Sarah Vowell. She was in town as one of the hostesses of a big 826 Seattle benefit show for Bumbershoot weekend, and after the show, was available to sign autographs and the like. Since I'd long referred to her as my imaginary BFF, I was a bit nervous to meet her... nervous, I thought, to commence our inevitable long and abiding friendship. In retrospect, my nerves should have been directed toward another likely beginning -- the start of my knowledge that Sarah Vowell is NOT nice. Once I met her, I realized Sarah and I would never be friends, because she is a mean, mean person. Thus ended my imaginary friendship with Sarah and I subsequently sold my copies of "Take the Cannoli" and "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" at a yard sale this summer. Take that, Sarah!

A lesson re-learned: imaginary friends -- those who we know through song or prose only -- frequently don't live up to expectations.

Which brings me to Barsuk recording artist John Vanderslice. When TIG was asked to film some video footage of Vanderslice this summer, we happily accepted. The video shoot came out awesome. But even more amazing was discovering the opposite of what I've now dubbed The Vowell Effect: meeting John Vanderslice in person made me a way way WAY bigger fan that I'd ever been before, because he is the coolest, kindest, and most friendly fella you could ever hope to know.

And while everyone in the audience at the Neumo's show perhaps hadn't met John personally (there were several hundred people gathered, after all), the overall mood of the crowd had the same sense of friendship and good intent that I got from meeting him -- like we were all cheering for our (incredibly talented) pal John, and he, in turn, gave a dazzling performance, one I daresay was elevated by the incredible response the audience gave him.

John and the other three members of his band were all incredible musicians, most playing several instruments, sometimes simultaneously (more on that in a mo'). Of particular note was the glorious violin playing and pitch-perfect vocal harmonies provided by Daniel Hart, which, ahem, brought light into every living song onstage. Indeed, the songs I've been enjoying so much from Vanderslice's new record Emerald City grew spacious and glorious when performed live by this four-piece, and through what was a great sounding sound system at Neumo's.

Also of note: drummer Dave Douglas keeping the backbone rhythm with one hand, while playing a keyboard with the other. Whoa. Keyboardist Ian Bjornstad was no slouch either, adding rich layers of sound with his double stacks of keys.

And of course, John himself was incredible, playing guitar and singing his heart out for everyone. He and the band ended the night with an unplugged, sing-along lovefest from the center of Neumo's. Or so I've heard; I sadly left before the show was over {I know, I know, lame, but you try standing on the concrete floor of Neumo's while you're seven months pregnant and let me know how long you last...}. According to my imaginary sources, the moment was incredibly swoony -- and really, how could it not be??

Every now and then, isn't it great to admire an artist and have him not just meet, but exceed, all your expectations?

The set list went a little something like this...

Kookaburra
Time to Go
Tablespoon of Codeine
Exodus Damage
Angela
Trance Manual
The Tower
Dear Sarah Shu
Numbered Lithograph
Pale Horse
Up Above the Sea
They Won't Let Me Run
Underneath the Leaves
White Plains
White Dove
Time Travel is Lonely
Keep the Dream Alive

More show photos from Laura Musselman, whose photos keep getting better and better! This batch is particularly great.

Of particular note was the glorious violin playing and pitch-perfect vocal harmonies provided by Daniel Hart, which, ahem, brought light into every living song onstage.

Photo of the moment: last night's John Vanderslice show...

imaginary dana — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:31:46 +0000

Here's a lovely image of my favorite instrument from last night's performance. Erm, at least, ONE of my favorites.

John Vanderslice free ticket giveaway

imaginary dana — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:27:21 +0000

Exclusive video, and a free ticket giveaway!

Exclusive John Vanderslice live footage from the Fremont Bridge

imaginary dana — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:00:29 +0000

15 Oct 2007

johnvanderslice07oct.jpg

This past July, the same weekend as Capitol Hill Block Party, TIG was incredibly honored to be invited and to attend (and film) an exclusive video shoot with the incomparably kind, awesome, and talented John Vanderslice.

We gathered with about 20 other fans at the north side of the old Fremont bridge in Seattle and awaited the characteristic peels of the bells that toll when the bridge raises for passing ships. At that opportune moment, John launched into song, incorporating the chimes into the tunes themselves. While I had enjoyed his performance at the Block Party, watching him perform in such a public-yet-intimate space, surrounded by a gathering of people who were clearly elated to be there, was an amazing experience.

We asked John where the inspiration came from for such an ususual performance venue. His reply:

"The idea was pitched to me by Josh, one of the owners of my label, Barsuk. We were brainstorming on non-club promo shows to do in Seattle. I had wanted to play the Bainbridge Island ferry, but it got logistically difficult so we bailed. Josh started by saying, "This is absurd, but what if you played to the chiming bells of the Fremont bridge?"

Of course it was absurd, and of course it was right up my alley."

We'd like to share that experience with you now, as John will be playing at Neumo's in just a few days with Bishop Allen (on Wednesday, October 17th), and this is proof that you should utterly be there.

>> Watch John Vanderslice perform "Time To Go" at the Fremont Bridge in Seattle

More photos from the day, by Ben Haley

Fans gathered, awaiting the drawbridge.

John Vanderslice, performing.

John Vanderslice and pals on the Fremont bridge.

John Vanderslice: as handsome and charming as he is talented!

TIG was incredibly honored to be invited and to attend (and film) an exclusive video shoot at the Fremont Bridge in Seattle with the incomparably kind, awesome, and talented John Vanderslice.