Three Imaginary Girls - Misra

New Centro-matic video

Imaginary Shrie — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:34:38 +0000

Texas indie-alt-rock band Centro-matic has a new video out for a song called "Rat Patrol and DJs," and it was filmed right in front of Dan's Silverleaf in my old stomping ground of Denton, TX.

If you're looking for something different to do Friday...

Imaginary Shrie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:52:15 +0000

...go see Centro-matic at the High Dive in Fremont.

All Things, Forests

Erik Gonzalez — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:13:46 +0000

7.9

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000N4R8OY/wwwthreeimagi-20

palomar.jpg

Palomar, they’re all grown up now. It's almost that the modern rock universe needed to stay in balance after the departure of Rainer Maria, and Palomar were more than happy to fill that roster spot. All Things, Forests finds Palomar at their darkest, yet also their most textured and complex, producing an album that can, at the same time, be riveting and frustrating as you hack through the band’s dense but intelligent pop songs.

I fell in love with Palomar on their second album II, and especially the almost perfect lo-fi pop classic “Knockout.” There was an unassuming charm to the song that made it something of a perfect pick-me-up for all occasions. Since then, Palomar has gotten more mature and refined with their sound, and it is at its best on All Things, Forests. The opening track “Bury Me Closer” is a brilliant little dark pop song, with richly textured guitars mixed with elegant harmonies on top of the bittersweet melody. The new depth to Rachel Warren’s vocals becomes immediately apparent on the record, dipping into same territory as Caithlin De Marrais of the aforementioned Rainer Maria. “Our Haunt” has a similar dark streak that on one hand seems very fresh for Palomar, yet at the same time, seems a completely logical place for the band to be, especially when the band string together songs like “Bury Me Closer," “Our Haunt,” and “How to Beat Dementia."

This melancholy pop is an underappreciated subgenre – how many bands aspire to make memorable songs that have depth yet fail miserably? – but Palomar seems to have cracked that code. Of course, the band can get a little bogged down with their newfound profundity. Tracks like “The Air Between Us” just seem to plod along and “You’re Keeping Us Up All Night” never seems to gel, trapped between the light and airy guitar and soggy rhythm section. It's fun to hear Palomar try a little bit of a Liz Phair on “He Came to Stay,” a song that would have been quite welcome on Whip-Smart. The closest we get to the uberfun Palomar of days gone by is the synth-pop delight, “Top Banana.” It seems out of place in the din of darker songs that surround it, which is too bad as it's one of the high points on the disc.

Otherwise, the band fills the album with song pop songs that make the album very listenable from start to finish – with standouts like “Woah!” making it all that much better to listen to the infectious pop rock that Palomar has honed. It might not be the most original song you’ll ever hear, but if it doesn’t get “Woah!” stuck in your head, then you know you’re probably taking yourself a little too seriously.

All Things, Forests is a frustratingly uneven album but luckily, the great songs far outweigh the half-imagined ones. Even with the jaggedness, the maturity exhibited by Palomar is remarkable; the songs have such a new depth to them that you wonder how Palomar existed before now. Palomar might be at a turning point, much like Rainer Maria after Look Now, Look Again, and will have to decide which track they will follow – that towards the pop songs that make them fun or the richness that will make them great. Until then, All Things, Forests can tease us with the potential.

All Things, Forests is a frustratingly uneven album but luckily, the great songs far outweigh the half-imagined ones.

Rachel Warren of Palomar

Joseph Riippi — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:00:00 +0000

I first came across Palomar a long time ago. I first heard the band's demos while working at my college paper in Virginia. I'd spend late evenings my freshman year digging through the drawer where measly assistants were not allowed, looking for promotional items I could steal. Palomar's first disc was one of these—no cover, in one of those slim jewel cases. Took it home, enjoyed it, wrote a paper on Joyce. Thus ended the relationship.

Some years later and I imaginarily moved to New York and came across Palomar on a bill in Brooklyn. I remembered the rocking good time had while writing that Joyce paper, so I went, enjoyed, and bought a record.

Palomar's blend of popular and not-as-popular rock balances them perfectly on the picket fence between "way cool" and "too cool." Witty, attitudinal narratives juxtapose oh-so-sweet female harmonies, harkening back to the days when Rilo Kiley wasn't just "Jenny Lewis' other band." (I actually overheard this at an Okkervil River show).

Palomar's new record, All Things, Forests drops just after SXSW (3/20 to be exact), and like every other band in America they'll be in Austin the week before. But like only the most imaginary bands in America, they'll be playing a Three Imaginary Girls-sponsored showcase on Thursday March 15, 5 pm with, among others, Manhattan Love Suicides, Tullycraft, and BOAT. Oh, and there's free beer, and it's a free show.

TIG caught up with lead singer Rachel Warren this week via email—during a really boring work presentation, to be exact—to ask a few questions about Austin, the TIG-sponsored show (which is free) and the beer (which is also free).

What's the thought going into SXSW? Is it overwhelming for a band to travel down to Austin and be part of basically the longest and biggest club bill of the year?

It is overwhelming, but the festival isn't as big as it seems. It's just that every band that plays SXSW plays ten times while they're down there. This is bad because people have less time to relax and visit with friends they only see on the road, but it's good because you end up being able to see all the bands you want to, cause they play so many times.

Ever gone to SXSW while not being in a band?

Nah, it's way too expensive. But another great thing about SXSW is that when you leave New York to tour down there, it's winter in New York and summer in Austin. But when you get back to New York at the end of tour, it's spring! And of course, it's still summer in Austin. It's always summer in Austin.

Who do you plan on catching while you're down there? Any particular shows you don't want to miss?

We'll probably see mostly friend's bands — the others we can see when they come through New York!! So we'll see The Octopus Project, Palaxy Tracks, The Big Sleep, but then we'll probably also go see the Mountain Goats, Mary Timony, The Bravery, Les Savy Fav, and Sound Team, and Spoon. It's a weird mix of people who are genuinely great and not to be missed, and some guilty pleasures thrown in there... the Bravery has some darned catchy songs!

There's an oil paiting portait of George W. Bush in the capitol building down there, in the rotunda, along with a lot of other oil paintings of different Texan governors. Let's pretend Stubb's BBQ has moved and is now grilling and giving shows in the rotunda. Who is your dream bill to see there, surrounded by Texan government greatness?

I guess I would see a bill made up of bands inspired by Bush in all his finery! Presidents of the United States of America, Bush, American Princes, and Lower Life Form.

Best five records of the last five months... go!

Five months isn't that long!! How about the new Oxford Collapse album, the new Shins, the new Decembrists, the new Ted Leo, and the Dean and Britta stuff.

Describe the ideal website. On anything.

The ideal website would be edible and have a melted cheese topping.

Any new songs we should look forward to at the show down there? New instruments?

Yes! Lots of new songs from our new album. And yes to the new instruments — -Brockett and I both play the egg now. It's harder than it looks.

palomar07mar.jpg

"The ideal website would be edible and have a melted cheese topping."

A SXSW Indie Pop Hootenanny!!!

three imaginary girls — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 08:00:00 +0000

Three Imaginary Girls, Magic Marker Records, Music Nation, and KOOP 91.7FM to present a showcase of bands at SXSW 2007, including the Zebras, BOAT, The Manhattan Love Suicides, Tullycraft, The Faintest Ideas, and Palomar. Thursday afternoon, March 15th, at Lovejoy's in Austin, TX

Seattle, WA, February 21, 2007 —Hold onto yer cowboy hat and grab yer imaginary pardner, doh-se-doh! It's almost time for an Indie Pop Hootenanny!!

ThreeImaginaryGirls.com, Seattle's sparkly indie-pop press, is pleased as punch to announce their first-ever showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas, with co-sponsors Magic Marker Records, Music Nation, and KOOP 91.7FM. The event will take place at Lovejoy's in Austin on Thursday, March 15, 2007, from 12-6p. The show is free to the public, with free beer (free beer!!), and delightful live music from the following international pop superstar bands:

12p: The Zebras (Brisbane, Australia)
1p: The Manhattan Love Suicides (Leeds, UK)
2p: BOAT (Seattle, WA)
3p: Tullycraft (Seattle, WA)
4p: The Faintest Ideas (Gothenburg, Sweden)
5p: Palomar (Brooklyn, NY)

"Liz and I had so much fun at last year's SXSW, we knew we wanted to come back and host a party of our own. We think we Northwest girls can entertain as well as any Southern belles... so c'mon out now, ya hear?" said imaginary girl Dana.

"It will be like spending an afternoon in a beer commercial bizarro world! We'll be hanging out at Lovejoy's with some kegs of Austin-brew, listening to delicious indie-pop from all over the world. Now that's what imaginary Spring Break memories are made from! Suck on that, Coors!" said imaginary girl Liz.

"Come check out the Manhattan Love Suicides at their first-ever US show," said Curt Kentner, co-owner of Magic Marker Records. "And drink of Lovejoy's finest!"

Three Imaginary Girls would love to meet ya'll in real life… and would love to raise a beer or two (or six) to their Northwest pals too. Please stop by! C'mon by now and say hi to your imaginary friends!

It's all so exciting, isn't it? Please address all questions, comments, or other SXSW showcase recommendations to tig@threeimaginarygirls.com.

THE JUICY DETAILS
WHAT: SXSW 2007 Indie Pop Hootenanny. Co-sponsored by Three Imaginary Girls, Magic Marker Records, Music Nation, and KOOP
WHERE: Lovejoy's. 604 Neches St Austin, TX 78701
WHEN: Thursday, March 15, 2007 from 12-6p. 21+.
COST: Free. Free beer too, while supplies last.

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RELEVANT BAND INFO:
The Zebras
Blending Teenage Fanclub soft guitar jangles and Go Betweens modesty, The Zebras make their Aussie lineage proud with sunny harmonies and sweet vocals for the simple pop purist in each of us.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/ilikezebras
MP3: http://microlips.blogspot.com/2007/02/zebras-tolbiac.html
Label: Lost & Lonesome

BOAT
Seattle's lo-fi troubadours celebrate their DIY ethic with smart, catchy songs and – if we're lucky – toy instrument play-alongs.
Website: http://boat.ohnodisaster.com
MP3: http://boat.ohnodisaster.com/mp3s/
Label: Magic Marker Records

The Manhattan Love Suicides
This Leeds foursome's fuzzed-out dream-pop recalls not only JAMC, but also the willowy female vocals of C86 alumni, the Shop Assistants.
Website: http://www.magicmarkerrecords.com/tmls.html
MP3: http://www.magicmarkerrecords.com/mp3/08_Suzy_Jones.mp3
Label: Magic Marker Records

Tullycraft
Tullycraft has secured a firm place in the hearts of indie-popsters everywhere with their delectable pop songs of awkward emotion and clever adorability. The band is in the midst of recording their new album so the usual critically acclaimed “Twee as Fuck” shtick will be peppered with brand new hook-laden songs (due for mid-2007 release).
Website: http://www.tullycraft.com
MP3: http://www.tullycraftnation.com/mp3s.html
Label: Magic Marker Records

The Faintest Ideas
The Faintest Ideas songs whiz by in less than 30 minutes, all crashing guitars and knocked-over drums, like Swedes doing their best impression of Wedding Present and Boyracer.
Website: http://www.magicmarkerrecords.com/tfi.html
MP3: http://www.magicmarkerrecords.com/mp3/nosebleede.mp3 Gothenburg, Sweden
Label: Magic Marker Records

Palomar
Palomar is a three-lady and one man outfit that hails from Brooklyn. They are part Fastbacks, part Talulah Gosh, and will charm you with girl-next-door coyness.
Website: http://www.palomarnyc.com
MP3: http://www.myspace.com/palomar
Label: Misra Records

SXSW_Day_Poster_sm.jpg

Three Imaginary Girls to sponsor our first-ever SXSW showcase on March 15, 2007 at Lovejoys, with The Zebras, BOAT, The Manhattan Love Suicides, Tullycraft, The Faintest Ideas, and Palomar. YeeeHAW!