Three Imaginary Girls - Hotels

Recommended Show + Ticket Giveaway! Win tix to Dancing on the Valentine 7 {2/10}

Imaginary Amie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:23:27 +0000

We know we've already warned you to buy tickets to Dancing on the Valentine Seven (and the Ragged Tiger), because WE KNOW this thing is gonna sell out - but just in case, here's another reminder, and a chance to win a pair of tickets so you can spend your money on booze and (LOTS of) raffle tickets instead!

DOTV7 is officially ONE WEEK AWAY, and ALL ticket and raffle proceeds go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Here's another look at the awesome lineup of Northwest bands that will be on stage at The Crocodile covering Duran Duran songs:

John Roderick (of The Long Winters)
Exohxo
Lesli Wood (of The Redwood Plan) with Jupe Jupe
Katie Kate
Noddy
Princess
Hotels
Daniel G. Harmann & The Trouble Starts
Fly Moon Royalty
Davidson Hart Kingsbery

Just send us an email to tig {at} threeimaginarygirls {dot} com with the subject line "Sing Blue Silver" sometime between now and 5pm on Wednesday, February 8. We'll pick a winner and notify you on Wednesday night so you and your date have time to plan outfits for Friday!

A night with Hotels

John in Ballard — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 03:52:45 +0000

26 Feb 2011

Although this was not my first time seeing local band Hotels, this was my first visit to the Columbia City Theater. The theater recently came under new management, who renovated it and re-opened it this past June to rave reviews. The theater certainly has the history, hosting the likes of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Jimi Hendrix in it's earlier years. At a capacity of 350 people, think narrow version of the Crocodile, minus the balcony.

Hotels opened their set in turn-back-the-clock style with lead singer and bassist Blake Madden playing the role of a Frank Sinatra-type casino lounge singer for their set opener, "The Heart That Beats Like A Bat" from their 2009 album Where Hearts Go Broke. Freed of the constraints of playing the bass (at least for this song), Madden was able to swoon and sway, even holding a half full drink in one hand. His tuxedo certainly helped him look the part. They were joined on stage by local singer/songwriter Gabriel Mintz on accoustic guitar, and Mono in VCF front woman Kim Miller on back-up vocals. Although Mintz's acoustic got lost at times behind the sound of synths and electric guitar, his vocals were a nice addition to many of the new songs. Miller's vocals also provided a welcome female contrast to Madden's deeper voice, and while her voice was rarely at the forefront, she was certainly not drowned out on stage either. It's worth noting that in her classy red evening dress, she looked like a fine counterpart to Madden's lounge singer vibe. After setting the stage with the slow burning opener, they picked up the pace with the opening track "From The West" from their brand new album On The Casino Floor.

For those note up on the band's history: in the past, Hotels has mostly been a four-piece band. They recently lost drummer Max Wood and replaced him with Aaron Voros, but it seems like at some point since parting ways with Wood, they've brought him back: he played drums for all the tracks on the new album, and although Voros played drums for most this show, Wood still made his presence felt by playing keys, tambourine and an assortment of other electronic instruments. Dressed up in his army fatigues and glasses, he also bore a striking resemblance to Radar from M*A*S*H*. And at numerous points throughout the show, they were joined by burlesque dancer Lulu Bell, who made several appearances in a variety of different attires, providing and alternate form of entertainment for the show as well as adding to the casino-like ambiance.

The set list stuck to mostly newer material -- after all, this was an album release show. And it was nice to see the lively crowd respond rather positively to the new material, particularly standout tracks "The Bat Watusi" and "Trouble at the Consulate" -- a song which features Hotels at their best -- with uptempo drum machine and a James Bond-inspired bass line laying the groundwork for a spooky synth-laden gem that is hard not to nod along with. They ended their set with another track from Where Hearts Go Broke titled "Port of Saints." The encore saw Max Wood back on drums for "Atlantic", an old standout from their first album, 2005's Thank You For Choosing....

Their latest album is only seven tracks long, although three of those songs either surpass or come close to the 7 minute mark. If you haven't picked it up yet, or happened to miss out on this show, no need to worry -- Hotels will be playing at the High Dive on April 2nd with Strong Like Woman and Ghost Town Riot.

{More information and who/what/when about Hotels can be found online at http://www.hotelsmusic.com. Photos courtesy of http://eschphoto.com.}

Recomended show + free tickets: Hotels at the Columbia City Theater {2/26}

John in Ballard — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:33:29 +0000

The new Hotels album On The Casino Floor came out digitally yesterday, and is a concept album about the earth exploding in tandem with the grand opening of the first casino complex in space (awesome!) with the single "The Bat Watusi" up at the front of the line. Solidly built around the pulsating bass and sci-fi sounding synths, the song shows strong promise of what should be a very solid and ambitious third album from the group.

For a band named Hotels, one can only assume it appropriate to incorporate the element of a casino into their grand scheme. Blake Madden, who split his time between New York and Seattle, formed the group in 2003. They released their solid debut in 2005 titled Thank You For Choosing... and Madden subsequently moved to Seattle full time in 2006. The group grew into a more accessible sound in 2009 with their release Where Hearts Go Broke. Tracks like "Leilani" and "Port of Saints" contain some of the same fantastic fast paced drum beats and looping bass lines that make comparisons to New Order appropriate at times. They found a contrast to that sound in their song "Near The Desert, Near The City"; a softer, possibly M83-inspired track.

This Saturday they'll be performing these (and more songs from the new album) at Columbia City Theater alongside Royal Bear, Devil Whale, and guest DJ/Emcee Marco Collins of KEXP. As if that wasn't enough, there will be a Wheel of Fate, which you can spin to win Hotels merchandise. There will also be a costume contest for whoever dresses in their best 'casino' attire. (Whether that means a sharply dressed high roller or a sweatpants-wearing slot junkie, however, is up to you.)

Recommended Show + ticket giveaway: Dancing on the Valentine, Strangelove @The Croc {2/11}

Imaginary Amie — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:53:50 +0000

Every Valentine's weekend, my lovely friend Jenny George celebrates another year on earth by flipping off the bastard that almost took her from it with a birthday cover show that benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year, please join us at The Crocodile this Friday, February 11 for Dancing on the Valentine VI: Strangelove and give cancer a big "F YOU" while listening to Depeche Mode covers by Seattle bands, buying raffle tix for awesome prizes, and you know, probably drinking a lot.

We can't tell you who's covering what (that would spoil the surprise!), but we can tell you who's playing: Black Swedes, Hotels, Exohxo, SHiPS, Lesli Wood with Jupe Jupe, Sean Nelson & Phil Peterson, Legion Within, and The Animals at Night w/special guests Brent Amaker & Ruby Mimosa from The Atomic Bombshells!!! Tickets are $10 advance ($12.38 online w/fees from The Croc, $12 @Sonic Boom locations) or $12 at the door. Every bit of the $10 gets donated + all your raffle dollars!

Bonus: we've got a pair of tickets to giveaway! Send an email to us at tig {at} threeimaginarygirls dot com by Thursday 2/10, 6pm - subject line: Strange Highs and Strange Lows and we'll pick a lucky winner at random and notify them Friday AM (that way you can spend all your donation $$ on raffle tickets!)

Dancing on the Valentine VI
Strangelove: A Depeche Mode Tribute & Benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Friday, 2/11/11
The Crocodile
Doors @8
Show @9
$10 adv (+ fees)/$12 at door
21+

Jason Tang's Top Ten Concert Photos of 2009 (plus a few extras)

Jason Tang — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:20:32 +0000

As I was picking out my favorite shots from this past year, it quickly became apparent that I couldn't just leave it at ten. I've posted my top picks below (in no particular order), but you can check out the rest here.

Huge thanks to the TIG crew, especially Chris and Keenan, for giving me the opportunity to share these amazing moments with all you lovely people! And thanks to all my fellow photographers, both in Seattle and elsewhere, for giving me inspiration every day. Hope you all have a safe, prosperous, and Happy New Year! Here's to an even bigger and better 2010!

2009-09-05: Hotels @ Bumbershoot - EMP | SFM's Sky Church

The Rumble returns to the Crocodile Monday night

ChrisB — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:53:26 +0000

I've mentioned the monthly night "The Rumble" here a few times now (it's the third one this Monday night at the Crocodile) and I want to see it succeed. I do like the people involved with the event, but that should be immaterial. What is important is that there's a monthly night at a rock club that brings in good bands and is free. This one is headlined by Hotels, a neo-New Wave band that loves the synth-heavy sounds from the 1980s and has some very catchy songs of their own. Also rounding out the bill is Apes of Wrath (from San Diego), Alligators (from Los Angeles) and (full disclosure, a friend) DJ Carly (from Seattle's USE).

Favorite Bumbershoot photos by Jason Tang

Jason Tang — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:37:25 +0000

I asked both brilliant and talented photographers Erik Clineschmidt and Jason Tang to list their five favorite Bumbershoot photos. Jason offered these as his favorites. - ChrisB.

Head Like a Kite:

"I almost didn't go to this one because Metric was playing 15 minutes after [their set began]. I'm so glad I did, even if it was for one song!"

Carly Nicklaus of USE:

"They totally killed it! So much energy and a lot of fun to shoot."

Janelle Monae:

"Karma, I tell you. [When security stopped] letting anyone else in to the Metric KEXP lounge show, I figured I might as well kill some time and catch Janelle at the Fisher Green Stage. Boy, was I in for a big surprise!"

Bumbershoot: one day down. What's next for you?

ChrisB — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:28:51 +0000

{Hotels photo by Jason Tang}

The above photo from TIG's awesome photographer Jason Tang makes me wish I caught Hotels set (which is one I knew I'd regret missing throughout the weekend).

After my mid-day check-in yesterday, I saw two more acts: UH HUH HER and De La Soul.

UH HUH HER was a mostly entertaining set, but there was a lot of MOR filler thrown in. At their best, their a sexy, synth pop dance band. With two female harmonies, they can recall Ladytron (they are on the same label, Nettwerk). Still during the middle of their set, they put the electronics and hooks on the back burner. This was their first time in Seattle, which I didn't know. They said their shows kept getting canceled for a lot of "weird shit" like their bus "driver getting lost in a blizzard". I'm glad I saw them and did like when they played their singles like "Explode" and "Not a Love Song", but I was also wondering what I was missing elsewhere.

Imaginary Interview: Hotels

ChrisB — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:15:44 +0000

Over the past few years, Hotels have emerged as one of the most enjoyable bands in Seattle. They have a synth-heavy sound recalling artists such as New Order, Joy Division and OMD; their excellent second album, Where Hearts Go Broke, would not sound out of place if it were released by Factory Records circa 1981.

I’ve known a few members of Hotels casually for a couple of years and it is a pleasure to watch their live show and recorded music improve and grow more confident while finding their own sound and take on their inspirations. They’ve played several important shows this year, including the Capitol Hill Block Party and playing at the Crocodile just a few nights after its big reopening. They’ll also be playing Bumbershoot this year on Saturday, September 5 (at 2:00pm in the EMP Sky Church).

I e-mailed several questions to Hotels bassist/singer Blake Madden about the band’s growth, playing Bumbershoot and what to expect from Hotels in the future.

When we first met a few years ago, Hotels was a bi-coastal band, with members in New York and Seattle. Is that still the case or is this primarily a Seattle band now?

We are primarily in Seattle now. Rich Bennett, our original New York guitarist still works with us on occasion, and even played keyboards for us during a short tour out here a year or so ago. However, Rich Spitzer, our original synth player is moving permanently to Japan. With this economy, plane fare to New York was hard enough to come by, let alone Japan. Long distance relationships never work out anyway.

Hotels have really been doing great as a band, getting a lot of high-profile shows (CHBP, Bumbershoot, headlining one of the first local shows at the Crocodile after their reopening, etc...), what has the band done differently with this album than with the previous one?

We put subliminal messages at subsonic frequencies in all the even numbered songs on the album that just say "love us" over and over again. But seriously, I think we've just matured and worked a lot harder in a lot of different areas. This album is better than Thank You For Choosing.... Our band chemistry is probably the best it's ever been. We practice harder and more often than we used to. Our live performances have gotten better. We've upgraded our gear over time. And all this has been because of deliberate and concerted efforts on our part to get better. I'd also be lying if I said we weren't helped in part by being in a smaller market now (Seattle, as opposed to New York) and being more involved in our local music community in general. It seems like people are much hungrier for new music out here. I lived in New York for five years and never had anyone say to me "I'm going to a show tonight. I don't know any of the bands, but I'm just curious as to what they sound like..."

How does the band write songs?

I write most of the material and then bring it in and we "massage" it into shape and work out sounds together. It's funny because I feel like we have an extra step that a lot of bands don't have; even when the song is fully written, it's only half-done, because we still have to go through and painstakingly work out which sounds will be used to best get the song across. Do we want an epic string sound here, or a short snappy synth? More reverb and delay on the guitar or less (almost always more)? Effects play such a huge role in our sound; most of the songs would not sound that great without 'em. That's mainly by design, though. Technology has made so much possible sound-wise that we're not that interested in making music to be played by a dry bass, drums, and guitar trio- there are a million singer-songwriters across America who are doing that every night. We like to get spacey and intangible with our sound, so that even if you know what everyone is playing, there's still an element of mystery to the final sound.

Which artists were influential on you when you were growing up and learning to play instruments?

Of course, I love Peter Hook's bass playing in Joy Division. I bought a Rickenbacker bass to try and get his sound, only to find out years later that he didn't actually play a Rick, just a cheap copy. I was also way into the Dead Kennedys and Klaus Fluoride was one of my favorite bass players. Both he and Hooky taught me that bass does not have to be simple and boring, with guitar players constantly whispering in your ear "hey man, just play the root note." They informed my personal philosophy of "bass liberation"; the bass can (and must) be as important as any other instrument in the band.

What about your set at Bumbershoot are you most looking forward to?

I think we are all amped to play the EMP Sky Church. If I could dream up a venue that would fit our aesthetic and preference perfectly, it would be that.

What are the bands' plans for after Bumbershoot?

We'll be taking a short trip down the West coast to play some shows in October, and then we'll mostly be recording our new album On The Casino Floor, a spy epic that takes place in a casino in outer space. We're trying to get it out by the end of this year.

If you could play a show with any band (active or not), who would it be? Why?

That's a tough one. It'd have to be someone we sound good with. Maybe, [it would be] either DEVO or Yellow Magic Orchestra. In either case, it would be a synth- bloodbath.

I really thought Where Hearts Go Broke was a lot more accessible than Thank You For Choosing... (The hooks are a lot more prominent, for example - which is almost certainly why I liked it more). Do you agree?

I do. Thank You For Choosing... is all over the place, a lot of times in the same song. I don't regret that, and some of the more schizophrenic songs are my favorites, but I also understand that it was difficult for some other people to latch onto. It was our first album, and the first time I was writing music as the primary creative force in a band, so I felt I had to squeeze everything into every song, just in case I woke up the next morning and had to start all over again. "Atlantic" is the song on that album that people seem to like the most, and I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that that was the one that was the easiest and most natural to write. With Hearts, I wasn't trying to rewrite “Atlantic” ten times, but I was trying to stick to that lesson of letting things come more naturally instead of jamming as much stuff into a song as possible.

Also, the night before we went into the studio to record Hearts I had a dream. I was on stage with David Bowie in front of thousands of people. He was singing with a mic and I was wondering what the hell I was doing there. He turned to me, pointed at me, smiled and said in that thick British accent: "Your stuff's great. You've gotta get it out there." I said: "Thanks, David Bowie," and then I woke up. It felt like a good omen. If the imaginary David Bowie in my dream dug it, surely the rest of the world couldn't be that far behind.

Do you have any favorite Bumbershoot memories?

A few years ago, Brendan (Malec; Hotels' guitarist) and I randomly lucked into some free tickets at the last minute, so it was cool to go without any expectations or pressure to see certain bands so that we could feel we got our money's worth. We saw Deerhoof, who I love, and they were awesome. On a whim, we decided to check out something at the Sky Church called "Synth Club", just because of the name and because Reggie Watts was in it. It was the best thing we saw all weekend; basically a four man synth dance jam, with Reggie doing all his crazy vocal stuff on top of it. The whole place was dancing and it was a blast.

Was there any event or show that triggered your wanting to become a musician? Was bass your first instrument?

Honestly, I only got a guitar in junior high because all my other friends had one. I didn't take music very seriously until a few years later. And I was a shitty guitar player. I got into a band with some friends and the bass player and I switched instruments one day just for kicks. We both instantly liked our new instruments better. I found that if I played the same stuff on bass that sounded crappy on guitar, it was much more interesting and enjoyable.

What is coming up for Hotels in the near and distant future?

Expanding our stage show to include more theatrical elements. Adding a string section to some live performances. A Hotels puppet show. Doing movie soundtracks. A show of all our favorite covers. Conquering Europe. We like to have our fingers in a lot of pies.

{Hotels photo by Christina Cadenhead.}

hotels1.jpg

Local music brings the Crocodile back to life

imaginary sher — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:48:59 +0000

25 Mar 2009

hotels09mar.jpg

"The Crocodile is alive again," I thought, as opening act The Globes pounded out rhythms like a heartbeat: BAH-BOOM, BAH-BOOM, BAH-BOOM. As drummer Marcus Ourada led the percussion into the first song of the night, the revived rock club on the corner of Second and Blanchard came to life once more with the sounds of great local music.

Joining Ourada on stage to round out the Globes were singer/guitarist Erik Walters, lead guitarist Kyle Musselwhite, and finally bassist/keyboarder Sean McCotter (who is also a bass teacher at the Paul Green School of Rock) Though the band debuted their self-titled EP in 2008, they have been playing together for years - and it shows through their cohesively tight style.

While Walters has pleasant vocals, there is a heavy emphasis on instruments and pure sound. The rock melodies are powerful and have the ability to swell to great heights. At one point a guitar solo leads into the drums of the next track for a perfect transition between songs. The keys are soft and barely audible, a noticeable contrast to the loud, full-force of the music. It's clear the Globes are one of Seattle's most promising young bands. After their set, an observant stranger to my right remarked to me that "they were epic!" and I agree.

Though the show had started with a modest crowd, when the following band Romance came on there was definitely a large audience for a Wednesday night. This band was older and had a stronger stage presence, though a bit more theatrical. They were the only act of the night to use black and white stage lights, and were sharply dressed with slicked-back hair in true gothic rock fashion. Reminiscent of post-punk revivalist's Interpol and the Strokes, who drew inspiration from earlier acts like Gang of Four and Joy Division, Romance played dark yet danceable music characterized by fast paced guitar riffs and toe-tapping beats. Lead vocalist/guitarist Drew Jackson and crew had great enthusiasm and the crowd generally enjoyed them.

Fresh from representing Seattle at SXSW, like Romance, rising local stars New Faces took the stage third. The teenage trio of singer/guitarist Nico Janssen, bassist Kyle Hove, and drummer Conor Sisk played upbeat, catchy pop tunes complete with hand claps and shouts. New Faces were the most lyrically dependent band of the night. With simple, subtle lines like "I don't want you / because you want me / you're too easy" their songs were both quick to remember and enjoy, and Janssen's low baritone gave their pop songs just enough of an edge.

Like the Globes, who won EMP's Sound Off! competition in 2007 under their former band name For Years Blue, these talented kids won last year. Shortly after, New Faces were signed to Loveless Records (and their debut record, Two Years, was the [surprising] winner of TIG's reader's poll for favorite northwest album for 2008). I believe their momentum has only just begun.

The final band of the night, Hotels, stepped out on stage wearing collared dress shirts and name tags – as if they were really supposed to be working the night shift behind the front desk of the a Best Western and decided it would be more fun to headline a rock show. Though Hotels share many of the same influences as the other bands of the night, they’re a bit more new wave - with plenty of reverbs, spacey synth sounds, and great hooks. At this time I decided to call it a night, but I hope to catch more of Hotels' set in the near future.

I left the show feeling rejuvenated. The two youngest bands of the night, New Faces and The Globes, give me great hope about the future of the Seattle music scene.

"The Crocodile is alive again," I thought, as opening act The Globes pounded out rhythms like a heartbeat: BAH-BOOM, BAH-BOOM, BAH-BOOM. As drummer Marcus Ourada led the percussion into the first song of the night, the revived rock club on the corner of Second and Blanchard came to life once more with the sounds of great local music.

Tonight's recommended show: Hotels and New Faces at the Crocodile

ChrisB — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:58:25 +0000

Aside from the trial run last week, this will be the first entirely local show to take place at The Crocodile - and it's a good one, with four solid bands filling out the bill.

A memorable evening of Seattle rock with Altspeak, Erik Blood and Hotels

ChrisB — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:29:20 +0000

10 Dec 2008

hotels.JPG

On Wednesday night, I found myself at the Sunset, curious as to what songs would be in the repertoire of former bassist for The Smiths, Andy Rourke, during his headlining DJ set. Unfortunately, it was to start a little later than I had hoped and the questions of what songs he played would be unanswered by me. If you are wondering if he was still playing “How Soon is Now?” I can’t answer it for you. I left just before midnight, which is when his DJ set was to begin.

Having said that, I am glad I got to this show early because I saw three excellent local bands: Altspeak, Erik Blood and Hotels.

The first band on the bill was Altspeak. While they cite a lot of Brit-pop influences like Blur, Oasis and Pulp on their website and MySpace page, the obvious comparison to me is from The Strokes. Both guitarists, Coulter Leslie and Andrew Gaskin worked well together, finding openings for one another in the same manner that Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond, Jr. did – they are lush and shoe-gaze-y but still rock out as well while singer Ignasi Faust has a drone delivery that reminds me a lot of Julian Casablancas. I wrote in my notepad that Altspeak makes me realize just how much I miss The Strokes, who haven’t put out a record in a few years now.

Altspeak is a very tight group musically and really does have the potential to be a very large presence in this town. They released their album It’s Up to You online, which you can (and should) download for free via their website. I feel as though this band is finding their voice and will be transcending their influences, rather than paying homage to them.

Up next was Erik Blood, who has assembled an excellent band around him. Producing several local releases I’ve enjoyed over the past several years (including Altspeak’s aforementioned record as well as those by bands like The Lights and The Catch) and as a member of another favorite band of mine, The Turn-Ons, he has impeccable pop instincts. Sharing some musicians with Altspeak, a few, like bassist Gaskin and drummer Will Hallauer, were pulling double-duty tonight and a few others like Coulter and Faust joined Blood to sing on a few songs.

Before the show I met the very smart writer Toby from the excellent Finest Kiss blog and he was telling me that he talked Blood into giving him a copy of record and if it had been released yet it would be one of his favorite albums of the year. Watching his set, it was easy to see why. The songs are beautifully crafted, with multi-layered guitar parts in the melodies and Blood himself is a very intelligent and gifted songwriter. I am very anxious to hear a recorded version of all of his songs and seeing him again in the near future.

The third band to play was Hotels, who I’ve known casually for over a year but - have never seen outside of a show or club. They have an electronic, keyboard-heavy sound that seems influenced by OMD or Depeche Mode and whose singer, Blake Madden, reminds me an awful lot of Ian Curtis (at least his harmonies do) – albeit more stable and less self-destructive.

Hotels was the first band this night to get a few people dancing (although many more presumably would for Rourke’s set). They really have emerged as a very good and very consistent rock band. Their sound often has some surf guitar parts to compliment they keyboard parts. They had just gotten a new keyboard player (whose name I’m having trouble confirming online) who seems to have grown more confident as he’s spent more time in the band – and on stage. While seeming nervous at first, he started to get more comfortable on stage and the band got better and better. They finished around midnight, just as I had to run out the door to catch my bus home.

I had wished to see Andy Rourke spin records next but with another show to cover the following night and a more-immediate day job to get to in the morning, the timing wasn’t right. I was sorry to miss him – but on the strength of the lineup that preceded him, I’m not that sorry.

I was sorry to have to miss Andy Rourke – but on the strength of the lineup that preceded him, I’m not that sorry.

How Soon is Wednesday Night?

ChrisB — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:46:21 +0000

Andy Rourke, the bassist for the Smiths, is performing a DJ set at the Sunset tomorrow night.