Three Imaginary Girls - Math & Physics Club

Update your spreadsheets: A typo on the Capitol Hill Block Party's Saturday schedule

imaginary liz — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:54:17 +0000

No matter what's listed on the Capitol Hill Block Party schedule, Math & Physics Club is an imaginary entry in the 7:45p slot on the Saturday schedule.

I was so excited when I saw the band was on the schedule that I emailed the band to offer congratulations only to find out that they hadn't been contacted by CHBP about the show and that, unfortunately, some members aren't going to even be near Seattle July 23-25.

Oh well. Just wanted to let folks know that you don't have to plan around their 7.45p Saturday time slot. Go see some hip hop or !!! at that time!

If you still want to get your Math & Physics Club on, we'll have to wait since they don't seem to have any shows coming up. But, in the meantime, go pick up the brand new MAPC album -- it's perfect for summer time listening.

Our imaginary birthday in photos: Aqueduct, Math & Physics Club, and Skeletons with Flesh on Them

imaginary liz — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:44:42 +0000

Skeletons with Flesh on Them {Photo: Steve Louie}

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Crocodile last Saturday night for the big birthday show with Aqueduct, Math & Physics Club, and Skeletons with Flesh on Them. It was wonderful to spend the special evening with you... even if none of us could break out the candy in the #8 pinanta {thanks to Skeletons with Flesh on Them for supplying the pinata!}. It was such a joyous time, it made us wish that we could celebrate a birthday more than once a year. Good thing time flies!

Double thanks go to our photographers Steve Louie and Lori Paulson for capturing the evening in photos.

Countdown to Saturday's big show! Way back machine imaginary interview with Math & Physics Club

imaginary liz — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:18:50 +0000

The big indie-pop show marking the release of Math and Physics Club second album is this Saturday {win a pair of tickets!} at the Crocodile with friendly fellow Seattle-ites Aqueduct and Skeletons with Flesh on Them assisting in bringing on the celebratory funk.

I thought this would be a fine time to travel in the hot tub time machine {to use this year's snakes on a plane catch phrase}, back to 2004 when we first met Charles and James of Math and Physics Club. It was such a hoot that we spread the interview over two parts and four months to get the full scoop. I mean, who would have thought that a high school friend who could play Judas Priest songs would have been such an influence?

Ready? Go delve into the archives with our 2004 imaginary Math and Physics Club interview...

Win tickets to see Aqueduct and Math & Physics Club this Saturday

imaginary liz — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:33:35 +0000

There is a lot of celebrate this Saturday {June 12th}. Besides marking our eighth birthday and the release of Math & Physics Club's new album, the Crocodile is going to be site of a massive concussion of Seattle indie-pop with Aqueduct, Math & Physics Club, and Skeletons with Flesh on Them all taking the stage.

We'd love for you to join us so we've got a pair of tickets to give away to the show. To enter, email tig @ threeimaginarygirls.com with the subject line "JuneIndiePopRocks" before Wednesday, June 9th at 9am.

Can't wait until Saturday to hear all the fabu indie-pop, have a listen right now!

Aqueduct's MySpace Page

Math & Physics Club {imaginary podcast / MySpace page}

Skeletons with Flesh on Them's MySpace page

We'll see you on Saturday!

Imaginary Mixtape: NYC and SF Popfest edition {May 2010}

imaginary liz — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:29:59 +0000

May is a magical month here in Seattle. We've got spots of sun teasing us with summer promises, Sasquatch anticipation running rampant, and the warm glows of SIFF oozing with the best international indie films. There's only one reason we'd ever want to leave our emerald city bubble during this sweet spot of the year... a good ole fashioned PopFest!

This year, the month of May brought with it two very enticing reasons to head elsewhere: The New York City Popfest {May 20-23, 2010} and the San Francisco Popfest {May 27-30, 2010}. To mark these special events, we've gathered up some of our favorite songs by folks playing these festivals which includes a couple cover songs, a not-yet-released Math & Physics Club song and some rarities to up the popfest ante. If you were one of the lucky folks that caught any of the NYC or SF Popfest shows, let us know how it went!

***Listen to the Imaginary Popfest Podcast MP3***
{To download the podcast, right click on the link above
and save to your computer}

TIG presents: Aqueduct, Math & Physics Club {album release}, and Skeletons with Flesh on Them at the Crocodile on June 12

three imaginary girls — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:42:54 +0000

Join us as we celebrate our EIGHTH imaginary birthday and the release of Math & Physics Club's new album with a showcase of a few of Seattle's best indie bands at the Crocodile on Saturday, June 12!

Here's the info with which to mark your calendars:

Aqueduct
Math & Physics Club {album release show!}
Skeletons with Flesh on Them

Tickets are $10 in advance {buy}, doors at 8p and it's 21+.

If you're under 21 or just want to get a sneak listen to the new Math & Physics Club album, join us at our Crafty Imaginary Listening Party on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Neptune Coffee.

Crafts + New Indie-Pop = The Imaginary Crafty Listening Party with Math & Physics Club

imaginary liz — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:04:36 +0000

It doesn't take a lot make us smile. Just sprinkle us with indie-pop, new records, tasty beverages (caffeinated and otherwise), and time with friends and we'll grin from ear to ear. Add in hot glue guns, crochet needles and glitter and we're over the moon!

That's why we here at Three Imaginary Girls have put together a new imaginary affair that combines all of these loves into one monthly get together: The Imaginary Crafty Listening Party!

{We're working on a snazzier name, so feel free to suggest below or chew it over with us at the meet up.}

Join us Sunday, May 23 from 1p-3p at Neptune Coffee as we debut the brand new Math and Physics Club record, I Shouldn't Look As Good As I Do (it doesn't release until June!). Bring your bag of crafty projects to work on (or just crafty ideas to mull over with our craftier friends/experts) and we'll sip, listen to one of our favorite records (we've had a sneak listen and it's pretty magical) and get our inner Martha on.

We'll have a couple Math and Physics Club-inspired giveaways up for grabs and a beverage special thanks to Neptune Coffee. It's all ages, but Neptune does offer wine and beer for sale to those of us with IDs.

Best weekend ever: Record Store Day, PopCon, shows, awesomeness

imaginary liz — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:26:23 +0000

My mind is being blown as I look at my calendar pages for today and tomorrow. On top of the intoxicating sunshine the weather folk have predicted for the weekend, the indie-gods have bestowed a packed schedule of wonderfulness:

APRIL 16-18: EMP Pop Conference
It's going to be full of great sessions around this year's topic of sounds and the machines that make them. This year I'm most excited about hearing Tim Quirk and his look at "The Quiet Revolution: From the Walkman to the iPod, How Portability and Infinite Storage Have Changed the Way We Listen, and What We Listen To" on Friday at 10.45am. Catching Mike McGonigal moderating "Identity Projects" and Michaelangelo Matos on the "Interrogating the Digital" - both on Sunday - will rock 33 1/3 socks off as well.

APRIL 17: Record Store Day
Empty out your canvas bag and your bus pass, it's time to take Seattle record stores by storm on an all day tour picking up a slew of very special limited edition releases to remind us all how important it is to support out local independent record stores. I am most looking forward to getting to Jigsaw Records in time to pick up each release in their LTD RSD-only series (only 25 will be pressed!) with floppies by Math and Physics Club and BOAT. (full scoop)

{even more amazing things to do this weekend after the jump!}

And I'm sure I missed something... what else is going on this weekend? All this fun must be a thank you for getting our taxes done on time, right?

Wish I'd Kept A Scrapbook: Tullycraft covers comp

imaginary keenan — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:26:32 +0000

{Tullycraft photo by Steve Louie}

Holy indie pop incredibleness! Do you miss Tullycraft as much as I do? It's only been less than a year since their farewell set at San Francisco Popfest (which still gives me chills just thinking about), but just knowing that there may be another chance to sing along to such glorious pop gems makes me happy. Well, this isn't a new Tullycraft record, but the next best thing: all your favorite (well, at least my favorite) indie pop bands together on one comp covering their favorite Tullycraft songs!

The wonderful folks who are putting the comp together put up an experiment of sorts on the site Kickstarter (a great website for getting funding for projects!) to see if they could raise a little scratch to make this cover compilation huge; to spread the love of Tullycraft to the masses! Only if they raise their amount will you be charged. Think of it like a pre-order: by paying in advance, you get tons of awesome benefits!

Full band list after the jump.

Reasons the month of April is going to rule your pants off

imaginary liz — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:30:06 +0000

(Photo by Laura Musselman)

April is trending to be one of the best months ever here at Imaginary Headquarters. Among the reasons we're kinda losing our stuff over here:

APRIL 10 and 17: Early Math & Physics Club shows at the High Dive (6p-8p)
Math and Physics Club will play a couple low key shows at the High Dive on Saturday, April 10 and Saturday, April 17 to test drive some new songs for their upcoming trip to the San Francisco Popfest their album release show at the Crocodile on June 12. Both High Dive shows are going to be early (6p-8p) and have the sweetest of openers: Eux Autres (on April 10) and The Special Places (on April 17).

APRIL 16-18: EMP Pop Conference
I always look forward to EMP's annual Pop Conference because it allows me to sit only feet away from my favorite, most inspiring pop (and non-pop) writers and listen to them casually espouse (and if all goes well, rant) on all things music and popular culture, which confirms my obsession's tangible significance. This year the biggest must see on my whole Pop Conference schedule is Tim Quirk and his look at "The Quiet Revolution: From the Walkman to the iPod, How Portability and Infinite Storage Have Changed the Way We Listen, and What We Listen To" on Friday at 10.45am. Tim is one of my all time favorite wordsmiths, music industry honchos (at Rhapsody), and band frontman (Too Much Joy) ever. When I am not sitting front row at his Pop Conference sessions, I'm hanging on his every tweet. Some studies suggest that I can link Tim/TMJ to who/where I am today.

Record Store Day cometh with LTD goodness at Jigsaw Records on April 17

imaginary liz — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:50:56 +0000

There have been rumblings all over the internet of the special Record Store Day-only releases that will hit the shelves on this most holy day. Personally, I've mapped out my route from Jigsaw Records (Ballard) to Sonic Boom (Ballard) to Damaged Records (Belltown) to Easy Street (Queen Anne) to make sure my canvas bag is full with the celebratory bingeing and I catch all the special instore performances and swag they have planned for the big day.

I've had a hard time finding a list of everything that will be available on RSD, but thanks to an indie shop in Michigan (Sound It Out) who kindly listed a bunch of really special RSD releases, I have the start of a skeleton wishlist of things I want to pick up:
1. R.E.M. Chronic Town 12″ EP (Previously out of print debut; limited edition blue vinyl, individually numbered)
2. The Thermals/The Cribs Split 7″ single
3. Superchunk “Misfits and Mistakes”/”Misfits and Mistakes” 7″ (Meatwad version, picture disc release; autographed by the band)
4. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists “The Oldest House”/”North Coast” 7″
5. Telekenisis “Dirty Thing”/”Non-Toxic, The Drawback” 7″ (2 songs exclusive to this RSD release)

One stop I'm most excited about is the newest of independent stores around town, Jigsaw Records (remember their cute opening party?). Jigsaw has arranged to have some ultra-limited-edition floppy records cut featuring songs by some of my favorite indie-pop bands: Math & Physics Club, BOAT, and Mill Kids. When I say limited, I mean like only 25 of each release will be in circulation.

Double shot of Math and Physics Club shows in April

imaginary liz — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:53:41 +0000

March Madness has morphed into Awesome April and it's kicking into high gear with a pair of Math and Physics Club shows this month.

The updated four-piece (now with new drummer and sans-strings), will play a couple low key shows at the High Dive on April 10 (this Saturday) and April 17 to test drive some new songs for their upcoming trip to the San Francisco Popfest (over Memorial Day weekend) and their highly anticipated album release show at the Crocodile on June 12. Both High Dive shows are going to be early (6p-8p) and have the sweetest of openers: Eux Autres (on April 10) and The Special Places (on April 17).

Jigsaw Records: A grand opening with Math and Physics Club and D. Crane of BOAT

imaginary liz — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:56:16 +0000

13 Mar 2010

This Saturday Jigsaw Records opened it's indie-pop doors to the public. The shop, located on the second floor of Resolution Audio in Ballard is a wee place full of indie-pop rarities that make my heart beat triple-time. No matter what your favorite indie-pop format, I am fairly certain you can find whatever is on your ebay seach list here (or owner guy Chris could connect with the record label to find a copy). There are scads of new and used cds (even 3-inch cds), delectable vinyl selections, cassette tapes (yep!), and even badges and zines to round out your packed indie canvas bag.

For the meek among us, the store might seem a bit intimidating to find. It is set in the far northeast corner of the antique-mall style second floor of the fancy audio shop. Once you make it through the downstairs shop to the carpeted stairs in the far back, pass the heavy metal / death metal record store, head straight back to Jigsaw where Chris will most likely greet you with open arms full of sweet jangly pop.

The best and most dangerous part? All of that rare and out of print stuff isn't priced as such. As our coolest Finest Kiss friend put it, the stuff is set at "90's prices."

Saturday night's show spotlighted the Seattle talent that fits right into Jigsaw's mission statement of featuring "indiepop, power pop, indie rock, lo-fi pop, twee, and pretty much any other kind of fun pop music that we fancy" with performances by Math & Physics Club and D. Crane of BOAT. It was MAPC's first appearance in two years and a very rare solo set by D. Crane of BOAT.

Math & Physics Club took the mic at the stroke of 7p and ran through a 25 minute set of songs from their first album and previewed a couple selections from their new album, set for release in late May / early June. The new songs were a next step from the older ones, with more pronounced vocals and percussion while keeping their signature sweet and coy lyrical stance. With a 7p all ages show, came the cute gaggle of wee ones running about, which perfectly synced up with the lo-fi indie-softness of the carpeted venue.

D. Crane took the stage and promptly handed out face masks for audience members to don during set. As a fellow who prefers to play in a band with friends, he dressed up audience members to stand in as band members in the likes of characters from Law & Order. My favorite was Ice-T.

He went through a set of a few songs from the recent Setting the Paces album and one made up on the spot from audience member suggestions (full set list on the BOAT website). The audience-inspired song, "Ten Tons of Tomato Paste," was a delightful off the cuff tribute to home cooking. Dave even whipped out the ukulele for us (video) for a couple songs.

The wonderful topper to the evening of cheap indie-pop? I came home with an import comp of indie-pop bands doing Sound of Music covers (BMX Bandits doing "Eidelweiss"!), an ultra rare out of print Suburban Kids with Biblical Names 7", and a 12" record recommended to me by both Keenan and Chris Mac by the band Good Luck. Score!

An added note to those who want to clean out their indie-pop records before stocking back up? Jigsaw is currently acquiring stock for the store and mailorder. Per shopowner Chris:

If you're interested in having us carry your records, cds, cassettes, handmade cd-rs or whatever, please send us a note! We'll take music from any label or band, big or small, but we are still pretty selective about what we accept. To get a feel for what we're about music-wise, check out our other site, IndiePages.

The best and most dangerous part? All of that rare and out of print stuff isn't priced as such. As our coolest Finest Kiss friend put it, the stuff is set at "90's prices."

Recommended for this weekend: Jigsaw Records Grand Opening!

imaginary keenan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:16:57 +0000

You know how some records are just impossible to find in stores, due to small distribution and tiny awesome labels? Well, Chris Mac does too. And that's why he decided to open Jigsaw Records (5459 Leary Ave NW, 2nd floor, right above Resolution Audio). "We deal directly with bands and labels around the world (many of which have little or no distribution) to help them get more exposure", says Mac, also the creator of the wonderful indie pop haven Indiepages.

Mac's got the tiny store (14x14) stuffed to the gills with only the highest quality indie pop and rock records, cds, and tapes, and with his encyclopedic knowledge of indie pop is the type of guy who loves making suggestions, even to the point of putting descriptor stickers on every new release he carries (you know, so if you're looking for twee pop, you don't accidentally buy a pop punk album).

Not only is he supporting DIY music, but the shop itself follows a strict DIY aesthetic, with wonderful hand-built shelves, made with love, carrying your new favorite records.

The shop opens this Saturday, March 13th with the greatest possible opening party imaginable, featuring the first Math and Physics Club show in 2 years! Also appearing will be the fabulous D. Crane of BOAT. The show starts at 7 and is all ages and free! Come browse records and walk away with a new favorite band or five.

imaginary liz's favorite songs from the last decade that are worthy of recognition

imaginary liz — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:20:15 +0000

{stylish photo by nancyo23}

I hope I'm not getting too granular with my listage, but given the empowering nature of turning the page on the decade, I can't help myself--I wanted to make sure that that certain song gems didn't go unrewarded for their brilliance.

Thusly, I compiled the below list of songs released in the last decade that are total A+++, but who's album didn't make it on my favs of the decade list... either because the song is from an EP or single; the album is good, but not as solid as the 75 albums that made my list; a bunch of other albums by the band/artists appeared on the list; or I just was bad with tabulating and this should have been on the list based on the strength of said song alone.

Please enjoy the below a recap of the top 10 songs from the last decade that amaze me beyond belief (and didn't make my favorite albums of the decade list). What amazing splashes of song brilliance rocked your 2000-2009? I bet between all of us we could make the most amazing quad-mix cd ever!

imaginary liz's favorite albums of the last decade

imaginary liz — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:52:00 +0000

Yesterday I divulged my favorite albums of the year. Today I am ready to let go of my latest obsession: My album recap of how I spent my 00's.

The below listage rant is my own little time capsule to remind myself why 2000-2009 musically ruled. As with my other list posts, I'm certain I totally forgot to add something really important to my end-all-be-all-recap. It's up to you to remind me by posting your favs of the 00's below.

Noise for the Needy 2008: New Faces, Kate Tucker, BOAT, Math & Physics Club

imaginary liz — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:05:52 +0000

13 Jun 2008

KateTucker-NftN08.jpg.jpg

I'm not going to rely on hyperbole to explain how fun Friday's Noise for the Needy benefit show at King Cobra was. It had been a crazy week, and it seemed like more than a coincidence that it was Friday the 13th. The show was just the elixir I needed to set things right.

New Faces, fresh from their EMP Sound Off 2008 win, put the audience under their spell. The Port Townsend trio was a wily bunch that mixed the richness of Interpol and the catchy rifts of Franz Ferdinand.

Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden were up next, and this is when the 'elixir' part of the evening took hold and things went up a notch. By the time my beloved BOAT came on, things were in high gear. Like a good imaginary girl, I had a notebook in hand and had every intention of taking notes about how tight they were and seamless their set was. I was going to namecheck the old and new songs they played and list off the ordering info for their brand new extremely limited 7" record (out on Magic Marker Records). But alas, a girl only has so many hands, and mine was holding a PBR (thanks Noise for the Needy sponsors!).

I was, ahem, over the moon elated with the Math and Physics Club set. They played their signature sweet, humble pop songs and even included my favorite of their covers, "Shaking Through" by REM. Bass player Ethan proved himself to be superstar of the group pulling off a better (and dare I say cuter and more stylish) Mike Mills than Mike himself.

I'm not exactly sure why, but by the time the 'secret' headliner (The Lashes) took the stage, my night had come to a close.

As my friend Lily Allen eloquently said, "Kids, drink responsibly or you'll end up looking like this, not pretty! Was quite fun though, from what I can remember."

(awesome photos by Nathan Howard)

I'm not going to rely on hyperbole to explain how fun Friday's Noise for the Needy benefit show at King Cobra was.

Noise for the Needy festival finalizes lineup

imaginary dana — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:18:13 +0000

Noise for the Needy has announced the final lineup for their 2008 festival, which takes place June 11-15 at various venues around Seattle and raises funds for Urban Rest Stop.

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:

As if you needed yet another reason to attend the Voxtrot, Tullycraft, Math & Physics Club show on Tuesday...

imaginary dana — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:56:23 +0000

Saundrah is an amazing string player and always lends an understated elegance to every show, and she will be sorely missed!