Three Imaginary Girls - Neko Case

Recommended show + free tickets: Neko Case at the Paramount

imaginary victoria — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:15:04 +0000

Whether you're married to the New Pornographer's one-of-a-kind sound or you're head over heels for the solo show: in some capacity, you loves you some Neko Case. We know. Us too. Some days it's the wandering piano-guitar intro of "These are the Fables" that envelops our hours and some days it's it's the trickle-down gorgeousness of "That Teenage Feeling" -- but no matter how we hit the shuffle button, everything this woman does pulls our heartstrings in the best possible way. Which is why we're over-the-top excited that she's coming to the Paramount next week with a newer love of ours, Y La Bamba. So excited, in fact, that we want to send you and a friend to the show!

Guestlist best of 2009: Scott Giampino of the Triple Door

ChrisB — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:58:27 +0000

With End of Year listmaking being the favorite holiday pasttime for a lot of us around here, we asked some of our local music friends to submit their own top 10 lists this year. The first to return theirs was Scott Giampino, the talent buyer at the Triple Door. His list (in no particular order, he says) is after the jump.

Neko Case rings out at the Paramount

imaginary victoria — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:05:23 +0000

5 Jun 2009

IMG_6669.jpg

Anyone out & about this past Thursday night? Talk about freaky weather - everything was all kinds of crazy, heady, ocean-scented wind gusts through the city mixed with golden-pink sunset bliss. The walk down Pine Street was perfectly lit, with the breezes knocking us sideways between the buildings on cue, leaving us semi-flushed in all the right ways as we pushed through the doors of the Paramount for the Neko Case show.

I've got to be honest - I had very high expectations for this set, having been bowled over time and time again by both Neko's albums and moments I've caught her on the radio. The voice, the echo, the minor chords, the translated ache that many a time spurred those pull-the-car-over kinds of moments. And technically, the show was good - the staging was set up with care, screened background showing song/tempo appropriate movies; the house was packed, the band was amplified, and the harmonies melded. But I couldn't help feeling that the venue was oversized for their presence - as if it overshadowed them, instead of the other way around. The show might have been little better received, as my +1 pointed out, with two nights at someplace like the Tractor where there would have been no contest between performer and stage.

While the sound could have been a little more intimate and less stadium, and while the band might have done a little more with their presence to leave us feeling like we witnessed one of those car-pull-over moments first hand - a little more slayed, a little more remarkable - I still got a few pangs that pulled me into the world that only Neko Case can create. The notes of her flawless voice echoing out into the still venue, the harmonies that sent a chill up my spine, the string of adjectives unique to her songwriting creating images that were completely her own - a few of those moments managed to shine through. And based on the crowd's reaction, there were more than just those few moments that I managed to catch - every song received thunderous applause, only after devoted fans sang through their favorites and found humor in the band's banter.

The short version? It inherently was a decent show, and I'd for sure give them another listen in a more intimate setting - and whether my expectations and I liked the setting and minute details or not, I'm happy that Neko Case packed the place full of enthusaistic listeners who thoroughly enjoyed the show. To boot, Rachel Flotard came and kicked the stage around for a bit, which made it all the more worthwhile.

Here's the setlist, courtesy of a Google search that landed me on a random LiveJournaler's blog:

Maybe Sparrow
People Got a Lotta Nerve
Fever
Hold On, Hold On
The Pharaohs
Middle Cyclone
Deep Red Bells
I Wish I Was The Moon
I'm an Animal
Prison Girls
The Tigers Have Spoken
Margaret vs. Pauline
Red Tide
Don't Forget Me
That Teenage Feeling
This Tornado Loves You
-encore-
Vengeance is Sleeping
If You Knew
Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth
Star Witness
Knock Loud

Decisions, decisions... what are you doing tonight?

imaginary liz — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:21:14 +0000

Justice @ Showbox Sodo 03.24.08

It's astounding how many things are going on tonight! ChrisB will be at Metric at Showbox (read his interview with them), Keenan will be at Jens Lekman (Oh sweet Jens) at the Crocodile, imaginary victoria is at Neko Case (at the Paramount), imaginary hyme is all about the Desolation Wilderness show. Even our imaginary gal in LA, CA has chimed in with a recommendation to see recent Barsuk singing artist The Wooden Birds at Chop Suey tonight.

And then there's these other show's we'd be freaking out about if the above didn't have us scattered everywhere:

* Spanish for 100 will be at the Sunset with At-The-Spine and Autolite Strike -- Word has it that the Spanish for 100 show is going to be especially killer as they have special reason to cover both old and new songs tonight
* Y'alternative crooners The Felice Brothers will be taking over the Tractor
* Even Cafe Vita is in the action with a performance tonight to raise funds for the Vera Project: Say Hi, Grant Olsen (Arthur and Yu), Mount Eerie, and Shawn Smith
* Jason Lytle of Grandaddy is going to be at the Mars Bar tonight (not a joke! He's heading over there after he opens for Neko at the Paramount)

And then there's SIFF!

Where are you headed tonight?

(Photo by Jeanine Anderson)

Neko Case is going to be at the Paramount and we know how you can see this amazing show for free

imaginary liz — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:05:57 +0000

It'd be a waste of everyone's time to list off all the reasons you should go see Neko Case at the Paramount Theater. Everyone knows that it will be life-changing. Her mighty voice will soothe the most discontent of souls and her Patsy meets Loretta crooning will warm broken and suspicious of hearts. She invented the alt-country meets riot grrl aesthetic that powers her poignant songsmithing that make all flutter with consoling comfort.

And the crowd she travels with is worth the ticket price alone. Joining her onstage as of late includes Eric Bachmann of Crooked Fingers, Kelly Hogan and our very own Rachel Flotard (of Visqueen).

Basically, we'll all be lined up outside the backstage door professing our love with engagement rings in hand.

Three Imaginary Girls is excited to make one imaginary reader's day with a pair of free tickets to see Neko Case (with Jason Lytle opening) at the Paramount on Thursday, June 4th.

To enter, email us at tig @ three imaginary girls.com with your name and the subject line "DoctorNeko" by Thursday, May 14th at 9a PST.

Rachel Flotard and her cool friends on Letterman tonight

imaginary liz — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:39:58 +0000

Seattle's favorite girlfriend Rachel Flotard (of Visqueen and general Rachel Flotard fame) is helping Neko Case on her performance on David Letterman tonight!

Also sharing the stage will be Eric Bachmann (Archers of Loaf/Crooked Fingers) on guitar.

Like the watching recent Jimmy Fallon episodes didn't already remind you that Dave is King, here's another reason. Let's watch Paul drool over the double trouble duo of Neko and Rachel!

NEW Neko Case single available for free download

Imaginary Shrie — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:27:37 +0000

For every blog that posts the song, and iLike user who adds it to his/her profile, Neko and Anti- will make a donation benefiting Best Friends Animal Society.

Neko Case setlist

imaginary dana — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:38:23 +0000

More deets coming soon, but here's my first crack at the setlist.

"All for Swinging You Around" by The New Pornographers

Matt Schild — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:41:13 +0000

I generally like The New Pornographers pretty alright. I generally like Neko Case pretty alright. When Neko Case steps out of the backing-vocal spot with the Pornos, though, I really like the confluence of those talents much more than on their own. Like, I have an extra-special play list made up in iTunes (the only time I've bothered with that feature) just to separate the songs in which Case takes over lead vocal duties.

"All For Swinging You Around," off Electric Version, is on that list. Even if it's not the best Neko-led Pornos song, I'd take it over most of the Dan Bejar burst of weirdness and a good half of Carl Newman's odes to Beach Boys-like melodies and shimmering indie-rock guitars. Coming off the band's second album, it doesn't quite have the polished touch of its latter work, but all the elements are there: Case's vocal soars and swoops among intricately carved guitar, bass and keyboard melodies. Three-part harmonies bolster everything. Even in 2003, it was pretty clear the Pornographers were shooting for (and coming dangerously close to) pure-pop perfection rather than indie-rock fads.

Sadly, at least for me, the number of tracks like "All for Swinging You Around" that feature Case at lead vocals are a slim minority of each of The Pornographers' albums. Maybe if the band stays productive in another decade or so, I'll be able to expand my Neko-led play list to a double CD's length. For now, I'll just fill it in with some of her alt-country tracks. They're nice, but somehow, just not the same.

newpornos.jpg

Even in 2003, it was pretty clear the Pornographers were shooting for (and coming dangerously close to) pure-pop perfection rather than indie-rock fads.

Updates for your Sasquatch spreadsheet

Tim Hanken — Mon, 21 May 2007 20:44:08 +0000

It looks like The Long Winters are now playing Sasquatch on Saturday. The Sasquatch website lists them in between Citizen Cope and M.I.A. on the Saturday line up.

Best Northwest Releases of 2006

three imaginary girls — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:00:00 +0000

Zow — it's been another great year for music everywhere, and a particularly amazing one for music straight outta the Northwest (we hate to brag, but the hometown pride has us beaming!). Thanks to all of you who voted in our fourth annual Best Northwest Releases of 2006 Readers' Poll. As always, we are pleased as punch by all your votes — and humbled to live in a region with such incredible talent.

Without further ado, our winners!

#50 Mon Frere Blood, Sweat & Swords (Cake Records)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#49 Conrad Ford Don't You Miss Yourself (Tarnished Records)
{website} * {buy}

#48 M. Ward Post-War (Merge)
{website} * {buy}

#47 Head Like A Kite Random Portraits of the Home Movie (Pattern 25)
{review} * website} * {buy}

#46 The Hands So Sweet (Basement Empire)
{website} * {buy}

#45 The Village Green Feeling The Fall (Spin Art)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#44 Skullbot Skullbot (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#43 Andrea Wittgens Alibi (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#42 Common Market Common Market (Mass Line)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#41 Smoosh Free to Stay (Barsuk)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#40 The Exploding Hearts Shattered (Dirtnap)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#39 Iceage Cobra Brilliant Ideas From Amazing People (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#38 Transmissionary Six Radar (Glitterhouse)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#37 These Arms Are Snakes (Jade Tree)
{website} * {buy}

#36 Coho Things Change (Lujo)
{website} * {buy}

#35 Sneaky Thieves Accidents (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#34 Harvey Danger Little By Little (Kill Rock Stars)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#33 The Blood Brothers Young Machetes (V2)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#32 The Sea Navy Oh These Troubled Times (Lucky Horse)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#31 Argo Attack of the Firebots (Fish the Cat)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#30 The Blakes The Blakes (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#29 Pearl Jam Pearl Jam (Sony)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#28 The Blow Paper Television (K Records)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#27 Central Services Central Services (This...Bodek Music)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#26 Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes (Self-released)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#25 Carrie Clark and the Lonesome Lovers Seems So Civilized (Self-released)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#24 The Purrs The Purrs (Sarathan)
{website} * {buy}

#23 Pleasurecraft This Is A Blackout (Pleasurecraft Music)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#22 Thee Emergency Can You Dig It? (Blue Disguise)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#21 Sera Cahoone Sera Cahoone (Self-released)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#20 The Lights Diamonds and Dirt (Wantage USA)
{website} * {buy}

#19 Patience Please Parallel Plots (Jigsaw)
{podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#18 The Heavy Hearts The Heavy Hearts (Swingline)
{website} * {buy}

#17 Man Plus We Had No Sex (Self-released)
{podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#16 The Snakebites Love, Hate, Rage, and Sorrow (Self-released)
{podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#15 Jeremy Enigk World Waits (Reincarnate Music)
{website} * {buy}

#14 Neko Case Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (Anti)
{website} * {buy}

#13 Racetrack Go Ahead and Say It (Self-released)
{podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#12 Rocky Votolato Makers (Barsuk)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#11 Panda and Angel Panda and Angel (Jade Tree)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#10 The Gossip Standing In the Way of Control (Kill Rock Stars)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#9 Viva Voce Get Yr Blood Sucked Out (Barsuk)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#8 Math & Physics Club Math and Physics Club (Matinee)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#7 The Trucks The Trucks (Click-Pop)
{review} * {podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#6 Built to Spill You In Reverse (Warner)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#5 The Thermals The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Sub Pop)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#4 Band Of Horses Everything All the Time (Sub Pop)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#3 The Long Winters Putting the Days to Bed (Barsuk)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#2 The Decemberists The Crane Wife (Capitol)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#1 BOAT Songs That You Might Not Like (Magic Marker)
{review} * {podcast} * {website} * {buy}

Thanks to all of you who voted, went out to live shows, came to our imaginary events, read our website, and helped make 2006 another amazing year to be imaginary.

The winners in the TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2006 Readers' Poll, including BOAT, the Decemberists, the Long Winters, Band of Horses, the Thermals, and um, 45 more.

SXSW 2006 Preview

three imaginary girls — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 08:00:00 +0000

16 Mar 2006

sxsw06mar1.jpg

The Three Imaginary Girls posse is heading south and partaking all that is South by Southwest. For years, we've heard recounts of the good times and once in a lifetime showcases. Folks, we are beyond excited to experience it for ourselves.

My head has been reeling with each 10 page highlighted print out igLiz hands me. There is so much amazingly fun stuff to do and see and I don't want to miss a minute of anything. Obviously my overachiever self will need to take a Texas-sized (veggie) chill pill in order to focus on the matter at hand: musica, musica, musica!!!

Yeah, I had a hard time figuring out what would make the list and what to prioritize. I created an indie-rock logarithm that, among other factors, weighed out the probability that a band would come to Seattle + the historical nature of their performance + the likelihood that I'll be able to get into the venue before it reaches maximum capacity (nothing like being denied and long bathroom lines to marsh the mellow). Given these factors, I found those Nordic bands rose top!

And for you non-Seattle-ites, we are proud to have a slew of our highly recommendable local bands representing there. If you aren't coming to SXSW from the Pacific Northwest, make sure to check out those fine Seattle / Portland folks! And if you really want to go where the cool kids are, make sure to stop by any one of the KEXP events taking place at the festival.

Break out the SXSW venue map, the show schedule and the cowboy hats 'cause here's our list of must sees:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
Bourbon Rocks
8:00 p.m. The Carrots {Austin TX}

Buffalo Billiards
12:00 a.m. Derby {Portland OR}

Dirty Dog Bar
1:00 a.m. The Ark {Malmo SWEDEN}

Emo's Jr.
11:00 p.m. Aloha {Cleveland OH}

Emo's Main Room
9:00 p.m. Voxtrot {Austin TX}
11:00 p.m. Serena Maneesh {Oslo NORWAY}

Eternal
9:30 p.m. Jose Gonzalez {Gothenburg SWEDEN}

Flamingo Cantina
12:00 a.m. The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster {Brighton UK}

Lava Lounge Patio
12:45 a.m. Maritime {Milwaukee WI}

The Parish
8:00 p.m. Envelopes {Stockholm SWEDEN}
12:00 a.m. The Ponys {Chicago IL}
1:00 a.m. Art Brut {London UK}

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

Austin Music Hall
8:00 p.m. the Zutons {Liverpool UK}
9:45 p.m. Morrissey {Manchester UK}

The Drink
Nordic Night
8:00 p.m. Astrid Swan {Helsinki FINLAND}
9:00 p.m. Loney Dear {Stockholm SWEDEN}
10:00 p.m. The Latebirds {Helsinki FINLAND}
11:00 p.m. The Royal Highness {Copenhagen DENMARK}
12:00 a.m. Disco Ensemble {Helsinki FINLAND}
1:00 a.m. Sign {Hafnarfjord ICELAND}

Emo's Jr.
10:00 p.m. Headphones {Seattle WA}

Karma Lounge
1:00 a.m. Figurines {Copenhagen DENMARK}

Molotov Lounge
12:00 a.m. The Hidden Cameras {Toronto ON}

The Parish
8:00 p.m. smoosh {Seattle WA}
Barsuk/Saddle Creek
9:00 p.m. John Vanderslice {San Francisco CA}
10:00 p.m. The Starlight Mints {Norman OK}
11:00 p.m. Two Gallants {San Francisco CA}
12:00 a.m. Mates of State {East Haven CT}
1:00 a.m. Nada Surf {New York NY}

The Parish II
Barsuk/Saddle Creek
8:30 p.m. Detachment Kit {Brooklyn NY}
9:30 p.m. Rocky Votolato {Seattle WA}
10:30 p.m. The Long Winters {Seattle WA}
11:30 p.m. Criteria {Omaha NE}
12:30 a.m. Aqueduct {Seattle WA}

Redrum
Sidecho/Made In Mexico Showcase
8:00 p.m. The Catch {Seattle WA}
9:00 p.m. Some By Sea {Seattle WA}
10:00 p.m. The Divorce {Seattle WA}
12:00 a.m. Stars of Track and Field {Portland OR}
1:00 a.m. Damien Jurado {Seattle WA}

The Velvet Spade
8:00 p.m. Velella Velella {Seattle WA}

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

Antone's
1:00 a.m. Neko Case {Tacoma WA}

Blender Balcony at the Ritz
11:30 p.m. volcano! {Chicago IL}

Blender Bar at the Ritz
8:00 p.m. Brakes {Brighton UK}

Cedar Street Courtyard
9:30 p.m. Billy Bragg {London UK}

Dirty Dog Bar
9:00 p.m. Isobel Campbell {Glasgow UK}
10:00 p.m. The Lashes {Seattle WA}
11:00 p.m. OK GO {Chicago IL}

The Drink
Nordic Night
8:00 p.m. Ane Brun {Stockholm SWEDEN}
9:00 p.m. Real Ones {Bergen NORWAY}
10:00 p.m. Sarah Hepburn {Copenhagen DENMARK}
11:00 p.m. Animal Alpha {Oslo NORWAY}
12:00 a.m. Veto {DENMARK}
1:00 a.m. Quit Your Dayjob {Malmo SWEDEN}

Latitude 30
9:00 p.m. Tilly and the Wall {Omaha NE}
10:00 p.m. Sukpatch {Minneapolis MN}
1:00 a.m. Tapes 'N Tapes {Minneapolis MN}

La Zona Rosa
12:00 a.m. Arctic Monkeys {Sheffield UK}

Molotov Lounge
11:00 p.m. The High Violets {Portland OR}

Red Eyed Fly
8:00 p.m. The Brunettes {Auckland NEW ZEALAND}
11:00 p.m. Band of Horses {Seattle WA}

Stubb's
10:00 p.m. The Subways {Welwyn Garden City UK}

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

Antone's
11:00 p.m. Superchunk {Chapel Hill NC}
1:00 a.m Robert Pollard . {Dayton OH}

The Drink
1:00 a.m. The Village Green {Portland OR}

Emo's Annex
Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar
9:15 p.m. Richard Swift {Los Angeles CA}
10:15 p.m.Pink Mountaintops {Vancouver BC}
11:15 p.m. I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness {Austin TX}
12:15 a.m. Okkervil River {Austin TX}
1:15 a.m. Magnolia Electric Company {Chicago IL}

Emo's Jr.
11:45 p.m. Ester Drang {Seattle WA}
12:45 a.m. David Bazan {Seattle WA}

Habana Calle 6 Patio
7:30 p.m. Dressy Bessy Denver CO
8:30 p.m. Bedroom Walls {Highland Park CA}
Magic Marker Records
9:30 p.m. The Galactic Heroes {Portland OR}
10:30 p.m. The Owls {Minneapolis MN}
11:30 p.m. Tullycraft {Seattle WA}
12:45 a.m. The Bats {Christchurch NEW ZEALAND}

The Hideout
10:00 p.m. Instruments {Athens GA}
11:00 p.m. Gerbils {Athens GA}

The Jackalope
1:00 a.m. The Spits {Seattle WA}

Maggie Mae's
10:00 p.m. The Joggers {Portland OR}
1:00 a.m. Plan B {London UK}

Our recommendations for SXSW 2006 can't-miss shows.

Neko Case and Kelly Hogan

Charlie the Pirate — Mon, 31 Mar 2003 08:00:00 +0000

30 Mar 2003

neko case.jpg

The woman behind the ticket counter couldn't locate my name. I hadn’t realized that Neko Case had two shows scheduled (one for Saturday and one for Sunday) when I’d blindly headed down to the EMP, generic voucher in hand. The confusion ceased when Ticket Lady informed me I was on the list for Saturday night, not Sunday afternoon. A bewildered look and a heartfelt apology was all I had to provide in order to get into the sold-out all-ages show.

So I was slightly late entering the Sky Church (would it be a lie if I told my mother I went to "church" on Sunday?) and my tardiness rendered me chairless. Not to be discouraged, I staked my spot on the floor and sat cross-legged in a sea of rowdy toddlers and multicolored EMP balloons. These folks weren’t kidding about 'all-ages'. The surroundings elated me with a nostalgia for yesteryear and I gleefully glared at the EMP staff members, half-awaiting my milkbox, cookie, and late afternoon nap.

Sitting in a mass hysteria of overly-stimulated children normally brings about images of a "depths of hell" nature (far, far from "Sky Church") for me, and upon sensing my benevolence one particular young’un decided I would be his project for the day. He stared at me through an iridescent purple balloon and giggled like only a two-year-old (just my estimation – I haven't had much experience with children) does. This continued until the balloon burst against his face. Crying ensued. I'm not certain if it was the noise or my sudden color change that frightened him.

Soon Neko Case, Kelly Hogan and their accompanist John filed onto stage and my attention was pulled from the children and redirected towards the only adults in my line of vision. John picked up his banjo (does he have any idea how HOT I am for the banjo?) and Neko and Kelly took their places behind their respective microphones. The only sound in classic twang that I love more than bare-bones banjo pickin’ is country vocal harmonies – the type of harmonies that don't just enhance the song... they ARE the song. Neko and Kelly's blended vocals (fluid and rich in a way only females’ voices can be) were perfectly layered atop the thin, metallic banjo tones for a gorgeous contrast, thoughts of which still give me chills.

The banter was playfully amusing. Kelly pronounced before the third ditty, "This is a song about working in a restaurant... stay in school." This song entailed Kelly playing what she referred to as a "fake trumpet". Basically, she held her hands up to her mouth and blew kazoo-inspired noises into the microphone. John changed instruments between each song. At one point in the show, Neko looked at him in confusion and asked, "How many instruments you playin'?" Personally, I lost count, but I did spot a lap steel guitar, a pedal steel guitar, a ukulele, a regular ol' six string, and of course the magnificent aforementioned banjo.

After a period of time, the performance transformed me from a member of an audience into a voyeur watching backhills neighbors jammin’ to made-up ditties on their front porch. This feeling was solidified when I realized Kelly Hogan had slipped off her flip-flops mid-show and was tapping her bare foot on the stage to keep time. She’d also brought her dog along – he was lethargically napping on stage during the majority of the set. Perhaps he had found the milk and cookies and had consumed them before they could be rationed out to the restless children – and to me?

The ladies played some classic tunes that got the audience cheering. One familiar song's refrain (originally by Mary Ford and Les Paul) repeated "Puff your cares away, puff them night and day" and I couldn't help pondering whether Camel had sponsored this tour. Another number invoked Presidents of the United States-inspired lyrics such as "Trudy, she's got fleas, hangin' off her knees, and she wants to go to Hawaii." The majority of the songs were under two minutes — intentional, I’m sure, considering the average age of the audience. But the set was perfectly tailored to my short attention span as well.

Kelly briefly introduced one of her songs by giving some insight on Chowder Shouter (an Atlanta-based band she was involved with back in the day). According to the story, Chowder Shouter didn't have any instruments; on the way to their gigs, the members would pile into a single vehicle and grab random objects from the side of the road to use. When the pickin's were slim, their mouths served as the main instruments (hence the name "Chowder Shouter"). In an inspired frenzy, Kelly snatched her flip-flops from the ground and began pounding them together to begin the song.

The entire show was hardly what I’d expected, but I was far from disappointed. After we were dismissed, I bounced down the sidewalk, as carefree as the two-year-old before losing his balloon, singing, "Trudy, she's got fleas, hangin’ off her knees" all the way home. Damn those infectious lyrics.

Kelly pronounced before the third ditty, "This is a song about working in a restaurant... stay in school."