Three Imaginary Girls - Say Hi

Photoessay: Nada Surf at the Tractor

imaginary victoria — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:41:12 +0000

2 Feb 2012

The working subtitle for this photoessay was almost Fuck Everything Else, Indie Rock Wins Forever. Because there's no other way to say it: Nada Surf puts on one hell of a pulsing, swoonworthy, face-shredding rock show. And not just any kind of rock, mind you -- this is fully legit indie rock, a term that gets tossed around way too loosely these days. You just have to know it when you see it: in this case, Nada Surf delivers their particular take, with the kind of big-guitar storytelling madness that keeps the crowd moving for the duration of the set, while blowing out eardrums in the most beautiful of ways. Without hesitation, I'll even go so far as to say that Nada Surf comes damn close to giving bands like the Wrens a run for their money -- and those of you who know my personal dedication to all things Wrens know the {musical} gravity with which I speak when I make that kind of a statement.

To wit: the setlist was flawless, and opener Eric Elbogen {nee Say Hi} did a tremendous job warming up the crowd with his batch of attention-grabbing, carefully delivered songs. I only wish more people would have stopped their yammering to pay more mind to his set, but with a sold-out venue that's on their tip-toes readying to rock the fuck out, there's only so much you can expect past the first five or six rows.

Say Hi:

Nada Surf:

Miss the show? Well, thankfully you've got another chance to get your Nada Surf on, because they'll be playing at the Neptune at the end of March. Based on all the bliss at the Tractor, plus the absolute stellar-ness that is the newest release The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy, we're betting this one will come damn close to selling out too -- so get your tickets while you still can. We'll see you there!

{All photos by Victoria VanBruinisse. See the rest of the night and much more over at the imaginary flickr pool here!}

Say Hi:

Recommended show + free tickets: Nada Surf at the Tractor {2/2}

imaginary victoria — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:52:03 +0000

Just when we thought the new track from Nada Surf, "When I Was Young" {off the stars are indifferent to astronomy, which is officially out tomorrow on Barsuk} couldn't get any better, we stumbled across this gem of a video. While it's definitely a stripped-down version that doesn't have the same big, building, wall-of-sound vibe that the full band delivery brings, the intimacy and DIY element make this rendition a treasure of a whole other caliber -- and, of course, seeing and hearing this has gotten us that much more excited for the currently-sold-out show at the Tractor next Thursday.

Yep. Believe it or not, Nada Surf is playing at the Tractor. What's that? You didn't get tickets in time? Well, you're in luck: we're giving away a pair to one lucky winner, and you've got a whole week to enter to win! Just send us an email to tig {at} threeimaginarygirls {dot} com with the subject line "PicturesInOurPretendWallets" sometime between now and 5pm on Friday, January 27th. We'll pick a winner over the weekend, and notify you on Monday morning that you're headed to Thursday's show.

Good luck!

{21+ / 8p doors / SOLD OUT / Say Hi opens. Hat tip to Laura Musselman for sending the video our way!}

Win tickets to see Say Hi {tomorrow! 8/9}

imaginary victoria — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:12:37 +0000

We know, we know. Tomorrow's show at the Croc isn't just about Say Hi -- in fact, he'll be opening the night up for Grand Hallway, who's got the mid-lineup slot before Wye Oak takes down the evening headline-style. However, here at TIG we loves us some Eric Elbogen, so much so that we'd like to give some tickets away to a pair of lucky Say Hi fans who are planning on getting down to the show for the whole thing, first moment to the last.

PS, if you haven't heard the latest Say Hi effort -- a little something called Um, Uh Oh -- here's a few notes about it from our friends at Barsuk:

Recommended show: Say Hi at Neumos {tonight}

imaginary victoria — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 23:13:25 +0000

We'll get right to the point: if you haven't heard by now, there's a sweet lineup at Neumos tonight, and you'd best get yourself and some friends over to Capitol Hill to catch it.

Gracing the stage of one of our fave venues will be none other than Say Hi, starring the much-celebrated Eric Elbogen as he parties in the pants of his newest release, Um, Uh Oh. He'll be sharing the bill with the Globes and Cataldo, who will be opening up the night for all the early-comers.

Straight outta Barsuk:

The record is also Elbogen’s best to date. It’s weary and blue-noted, revealing, personal and pained and there’s expressiveness in his performance absent from previous releases. In fact, it’s difficult to fathom that the same songwriter that once wrote the sugary frivolity of the early Say Hi material could have written such a mature collection of songs. If you’ve been a fan in the past, you’re going to feel that Um, Uh Oh is a large step in the evolution of the band. If you haven’t, this is the record that’s going to change your mind.

As per usual at Neumos, it's a lineup full of bands you'll want to see from start to finish, so don't be late. We'll see you there!

{Tonight's show opens doors at 8p / all ages / $12. Photo by the mega talented Jenny Jiminez.}

MusicFestNW - Mid-September Music Madness in Portland - Photo Essay

Imaginary Muller — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:08:08 +0000

17 Sep 2009

Imaginary Chona and I tag-teamed MusicFestNW with her resident reviewer, RJ, recently. I covered the first few days and she hit the last few days due to some circumstances of her being "cursed" until Saturday. Somehow, she broke the curse and I believe has photos posted on the site.

I made it down to Portland just in time to see Hey Marseilles a few songs into their set at the Ash Street Saloon. Apparently there were some sound problems early, but they were cleared by the time I arrived. The boys told me that they felt that the performance was a bit lackluster at first, but they made an unspoken group decision to just "rock the fuck out" for the rest of the set...and it turned out to be fantastic. The crowd really took to the Seattle Seven and promptly complied when lead-singer, Matt Bishop, asked them to get closer to the stage.

The Black Whales followed and kept the crowd from thinning out too much with their well crafted poppy sound. I've seen these guys a few times now and am excited to check them out again. I am eagerly awaiting their upcoming release.

The rest of the night consisted of Derby and the Dimes, who were good, but the crowd had abated by the time they started and I'd hit my limit of working, driving, shooting all day.

On Friday, I went down to the Doug Fir to catch some of the KEXP live broadcasts. Unfortunately, the Arctic Monkeys set was closed, and Sunny Day Real Estate had to cancel due to illness. I still had a chance to catch the Builders & the Butchers and Chairlift. After those sessions was an early evening show at the Wonder Ballroom with the Arctic Monkeys, with opening act, the Like. Sadly, even my super-duper press pass and photo pass was not good enough to allow me in with my camera to this show, so you're stuck with the really cruddy cell phone pics that I was able to take. The Like are an all female band from Los Angeles who had some pretty fun songs, but might be hard to take for 40 minutes straight. I'd throw their stuff into a mix and shuffle, once their album is released.

The Arctic Monkeys on the other hand, kicked ass. They are one of my favourite bands and they played for over an hour. Alex Turner and co. had the crowd wrapped around their fingers as they played decidely loud renditions of their songs. One curiosity I noticed was that they had nearly a dozen guitars with them, and would often switch them out between songs. They ended their pre-encore set with my favourite of their songs, "Do Me a Favour" that ends with the line, "perhaps fuck off might be too kind". I had to jet at that point to get across town to my next show... The Long Winters, Viva Voce, Rocky Votolato and Say Hi at Berbati's Pan. Say Hi played a solid set, and seemed to win over some new fans.

Rocky played a fairly stripped down set, solely on acoustic guitar and harmonica.

Local to Portland, Viva Voce seemed to light up the crowd the most. Kevin Robinson taking to smashing his guitar on the stage near the end of the set.

Sadly, I was so exhausted by this point, I reluctantly retreated for the door to head back to the hotel. However, right outside I ran into John Roderick and Eric Corson of the Long Winters. After apoligizing that I'd be missing their show, they posed for some candids along with Justin of Menemona for me. And with that, I headed back with my travel companion leaving the rest of the weekend to the no-longer-cursed Chona.

Local to Portland, Viva Voce seemed to light up the crowd the most. Kevin Robinson taking to smashing his guitar on the stage near the end of the set.

Say Hi doesn't want to talk about your mom at Bumbershoot

Chelsea Werner — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:15:09 +0000

7 Sep 2009

Say Hi has shortened more than their band name over time. The band’s lineup itself has also mutated to the point where their latest release on Barsuk, Ohhs & Ahhs, was recorded entirely by Eric Elbogen, the man behind the band, at his home studio. A dark album with heavy hues of loneliness the album displays half-hearted attempts at cheering itself up, making its lasting impression a sincere one.

Perhaps this is why I was surprised when, trying not to slip on the slimy grass in front of the Broad Street stage at Bumbershoot on Monday, I walked up to what sounded like emo-pop. It seems fair to look at the progression of Say Hi To Your Mom to Say Hi in relation to the increasing maturity of both their sound and their name. But as they began to play “Dramatic Irony” it became clear that without the production value of their recordings, the songs became more upbeat. The song was still dark, due to it’s content, but the overwhelming sound was light-hearted.

During a lull in the tunes, Eric offered a reason for some of the faltering harmonies and over all mood change, mentioning that the house bassist of Barsuk, Andy, was playing his second show ever with Say Hi. The two worked well together, well enough for Andy to bust Eric’s chops over the change in the band name to the chagrin of Eric. But even more explanation for the strange feeling of this show was the fact that Eric had a cold.

Overall as a live performance, the trio on stage was lack-luster. I had gone to see their set because I couldn’t imagine a better band to see on an outdoor stage during a day full drizzles. But the performance failed to cultivate the grey melancholy I was so willing to experience with the sweet, yet morose songs of Say Hi. Still, this performance did open another side to the band, one that isn’t quite appealing to me, but something that I’m sure many people have always cherished. This is the more pop aspect of Eric Elbogen’s songs, the part of their sound that is unashamed of being straightforwardly sentimental rather than cryptically depressed.

Win an Ice Palace/Cloud Cult Prize Pack

ChrisB — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:37:23 +0000

Next Friday, May 8, Neumo's has a really big show with three excellent bands: Cloud Cult, Ice Palace and Say Hi. To kick things off, we've been offered a prize package to give away to one lucky TIG reader.

InSound 10th Anniversary Sampler available for download

heather b — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:22:54 +0000

InSound 10th Anniversary Sampler available for 1 week only!

Say Hi signs with Barsuk

ChrisB — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:44:29 +0000

Say Hi, the excellent band that not that long ago dropped the terribly unfortunate name of "Say Hi to Your Mom", just signed with Barsuk Records.

Say Hi ends tour with an all-ages homecoming

Imaginary Alicia — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:56:05 +0000

24 Oct 2008

Say Hi Vera.jpg

Another cute night of brightly clad, skinny jeans sporting, over-caffeinated and under-sexed teenagers at the Say Hi show at Vera last Friday. I really love Vera. It feels different than seeing a show at a nightclub because everyone there is paying rapt attention to each band... there’s nothing else to do.

Fences and The Pica Beats opened the show. Fences was interesting because the music is such a surprise next to the physical appearance of the band members. The Pica Beats played an upbeat, ambiguously ethnic extended jam. They could have opened for Dengue Fever.

The whole night the crowd was clearly waiting for the headliner. When the lights went down to signal the beginning of the end there was tangible excitement. The drummer set up a flashing bright red kit with which I was allured by the sparkle. Say Hi walked on, all smiles and jokes at first but then, promptly commenced to teach their instruments how to rock.

It took me a few minutes to get into the music because of the barrier that their band name creates. They used to be called “Say Hi To Your Mom” and I just don’t find joke names funny. I don’t want to get too hung up on their former name though and not give proper attention to their sound. These guys are tight. They wield intensity that comes from many years of playing together. They came to Vera to finish off a five-week tour and the pleasant exhaustion showed on their faces.

The music is candy coated indy rock. I listened and enjoyed; it goes down easy. After a little bit into the show I started to get the creeping impression that their music is subtly twisted. The singer looked over his microphone with sinister understanding and it struck me that what they are doing is more complicated than I first thought. Maybe it is part of their intention to package their content in an easily accessible way. They played a song called “Northwestern Girls” and the singer hit the word “air” over and over in a beautifully off way. The crowd loved them all night long. I tip my hat to that.

They came to Vera to finish off a five-week tour and the pleasant exhaustion showed on their faces.

Capitol Hill Block Party 2008: Say Hi

Imaginary Kiku — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:37:47 +0000

25 Jul 2008

CHBP2008.jpg

Say Hi (formerly Say Hi To Your Mom) was the headliner at the very first show I went to, back in 2006 at the old Paradox. Their sound quality has matured immensely, becoming much more cohesive and balanced. In fact, the band's live set sounds nearly identical to their CD, a talent that can be seen as positive or negative.

The highlight of the show was actually in the audience. A person dressed in an elaborate robot costume had been milling around since the end of PWRFL Power’s set. He wore a large cardboard box, spray painted metallic silver, with another box on his head and a big plastic heart on his chest that lit up when pressed. It was a very impressive costume. The robot seemed like just another festival oddity until Say Hi pointed it out. Lead singer Eric Elbogen said he loved the robot and asked to see the heart light up, with a delighted smile and an affectionate, “Aww.” Then I realized that the robot costume housed a very creative Say Hi fan, who showed his love of the lo-fi band by dressing as one of the many robots that adorn each Say Hi CD cover.

Say Hi just released their latest record, The Wishes and the Glitch, and songs like “Northwestern Girl” already seem to be well-known indie hits. With a set that was heavy on the new songs, as well as many from their previous record Impeccable Blahs and some classics from their breakthrough album, Numbers and Mumbles, Say Hi demonstrated their lasting charm. They sing about spiders and vampires and have giant robots come to their shows, yet their sound was warm and inviting -- a quiet before the storm that was Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, who followed Say Hi on the Vera stage.

They sing about spiders and vampires and have giant robots come to their shows, yet their sound was warm and inviting -- a quiet before the storm that was Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, who followed Say Hi on the Vera stage.