Three Imaginary Girls - The Shaky Hands

Photo Essay: Viva Voce w/ the Shaky Hands & Rafter

Steve Louie — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:24:02 +0000

10 Apr 2009

Viva Voce come out of hibernation to embark on a spring tour and perform new songs in anticipation of their upcoming new album entitled Rose City which is due out May 26th. Supporting them is Rafter (Asthmatic Kitty) and the Shaky Hands (Kill Rock Stars).

I've waited to shoot this show since January when the press release subject read "Viva Voce Break Up". I admit I misread the entire release since it went on to say that the break up was the two piece of Anita and Kevin Robinson but adding two more members so it's kind of the reincarnation of Viva Voce after not touring for awhile.

Viva Voce is now a four piece with the addition of Corrina Repp (Tu Fawning) and Evan Railton on drums.

Rafter from San Diego (also known as Rafter Roberts) opened the evening. I don't know too much about this band other than their label Asthmatic Kitty. Apart from the obvious association with Sufjan Stevens on that label, the only other band I've seen live on that roster is Shapes and Sizes. My impression is that bands on that label and carefully hand picked and are pretty electic. Rafter sweated out quite a dancey set of rock much to a sparse but receptive crowd. I have to hand it Rafter as they have the goods to get a party started.

The Shaky Hands were the second openers and I remember seeing them a few years ago at TIG's 5th anniversary party and they were prety amazing on stage. Fast forward to today and there's been a few lineup changes and the music was definitely less pop than I remembered. The sound has matured to a more psychedelic folk feel to it. Lead singer/guitarist Nicholas Delffs can still rock out.

Viva Voce hasn't been on the tour circuit for the past year since they've been working on the new album and they took a break from playing. Now that they are a four piece and hearing the new songs, the comeback is as strong as ever. Anita's wa wa bar plus pedals and Corrina's theremin is wicked combination of amplified distortion.

Viva Voce come out of hibernation to embark on a spring tour and perform new songs in anticipation of their upcoming new album entitled Rose City which is due out May 26th. Supporting them is Rafter and the Shaky Hands.

Lunglight

Chris Estey — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:54:49 +0000

7.7

http://www.amazon.com/Lunglight-Shaky-Hands/dp/B001CVCBG2/wwwthreeimagi-20/

shakyhands08nov.jpg

This Portland band pretty much had it in the bag by winning the Williamette Weekly "Best New Band" poll a couple years back. Their self-titled debut set them on a course previously traveled by beloved Oregon bands Talkdemonic, Copy, and the Barsuk-beholden Menomena. Nick Delf's contemporarily unspecifically cranky vocals crooned over his polyrhythmic tumbles on guitar, drummer Colin Anderson's percussive syncopation, and Jeff Lehman's scuttering electric six string layering just seemed a perfect introduction to a perfect Portland band. They were a bit pissed, a little pissed off, but showed a lot of love and hope and not so much fear and angst.

Well, this isn't the band's Pinkerton or Berlin or something near that dire, but Lunglight shows a still young group willing to get a little caustic even whilst laying down the basement party groove tunes. The good-time musical goods are still here, with "We Are Young" halfway through getting near ska guitar upsweeps and inducing flashbacks of half the bands from MTV's "The Cutting Edge" on vocal melody, while dubby horns near the end of the record are followed by a bass line lip-locked by Donovan's "Season Of The Witch."

But "World Gone Mad" convinced the casual listener that Delf is a little freaked out about growing up and eventually dying in a careless realm. Lines regarding loss of belief and loss of faith weave through Lunglight, but unlike The Shins, who lay on the anger towards the fallen for ever having believed in myths, The Shaky Hands seem once like kids who found comfort in those dreams and are not particularly pleased with having them shaken. The icy indie vibe is only there on the surface; a few repeated listens and you realize this band may resemble Seattle's bearded poets of depression in Beatles homages and Talking Heads jangle, but their hearts feel much warmer and more alive.

Like the age old question of trading security for freedom, or levels of happiness for clear truth, The Shaky Hands present that dialect from the other side. No wonder people are listening.

The icy indie vibe is only there on the surface; a few repeated listens and you realize this band may resemble Seattle's bearded poets of depression in Beatles homages and Talking Heads jangle, but their hearts feel much warmer and more alive.

Win tickets to see The Acorn and The Shaky Hands Tonight

ChrisB — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:11:21 +0000

We have a pair of tickets to give away to the first person to send an e-mail to tig@threeimaginarygirls.com with "Screw Republicans, I love The Acorn" in the subject line will be on the guest list for tonight's show.

New Viva Voce project

Tim Hanken — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:11:49 +0000

How exciting is this?!!?! A full band version of Viva Voce's awesomeness.

TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2007: Editors' picks

three imaginary girls — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:21:26 +0000

We gathered our imaginary staff to determine our collective Northwest favorites for 2007. It was hard work. Imaginary battles were fought, alliances formed, and finally, winners emerged.

You should have seen the way that imaginary Liz can arm wrestle, and how Erik Gonzalez can duke it out for his favorite bands. It was fierce and fun, and we think our final list was well worth the effort.

Here they are: the TIG official editor picks for best Northwest releases of 2007. Enjoy!

#20 Grand Hallway Yes Is the Answer (Self-released)
{band profile} * {buy}

#19 Aqueduct Or Give Me Death (Barsuk)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#18 Night Canopy Of Honey and Country (Go Midnight)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#17 Team Gina Gina Gina Revolution (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#16 Arthur & Yu In Camera (Hardly Art)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#15 Minus the Bear Planet of Ice (Suicide Squeeze)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#14 The Cops Free Electricity (The Control Group)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#13 Ms Led Shake Yourself Awake (Fish the Cat)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#12 The Femurs Modern Mexico (HomeSpun)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#11 Patience Please Fleeting Frequencies (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#10 Grand Archives Grand Archives (Self-released / Sub Pop)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#9 Shake Some Action! Shake Some Action (Satellite 451)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#8 Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours (Matinee)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#7 Throw Me The Statue Moonbeams (Baskerville Hill)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#6 Blue Scholars Bayani (MassLine Media, Rawkus)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#5 Siberian With Me (Sonic Boom Recordings)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#4 BOAT Let's Drag Our Feet (Magic Marker)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#3 Menomena Friend and Foe (Barsuk)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#2 Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center (Magic Marker)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#1 Cave Singers Invitation Songs (Matador)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

Honorable mentions:

Blitzen Trapper Wild Mountain Nation (Lidkercow Ltd.)

Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (Epic)

Schoolyard Heroes Abominations (Stolen Transmission)

The Shaky Hands The Shaky Hands (Holocene Music)

The Shins Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop)

Bestof07-TIG_sm.jpg

We gathered our imaginary staff to determine our collective Northwest favorites for 2007. It was hard work. Imaginary battles were fought, alliances formed, and finally, winners emerged.

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:

CMJ 2007: Part 2

imaginary ash — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:09:00 +0000

CMJdrugrug07nov.jpg

Picking up where we left off in CMJ 2007 part one...

After my Thursday afternoon with Yo Majesty and Elk City, I headed over to the White Rabbit to meet up with Fat Asian Baby again and watch Georgia band Dead Confederate, whose moody and dramatic indie rock soundscape was punctuated by dim lighting and smoke machines, producing a spooky aura around them.

After they played, FAB and I sat down with them outside Piano's to ask them your imaginary questions, with plenty of hilarity ensuing. See their answers at the bottom of the page, and go see them in December when they come to Seattle to play a KEXP Christmas show (details don't seem to be available yet, but they assured me that it's a done deal so I'll be sure to remind you!). After that, FAB and I tried to get in to see Florida's Black Kids, but everyone else in NYC beat us to it and there was no getting in. Seems they were one of the hottest tickets at this year's Marathon, riding the buzz from a recent glowing review from Pitchfork. So we rounded the corner to Arlene's to watch Boston's Hallelujah the Hills, a six-piece who've received lots of favorable press locally and deservedly so. They're set was tight and fluid, with trumpet flourishes atop pop/rock beats and upbeat guitars. Visit their MySpace and listen to their theme song, "Hallelujah the Hills."

On Friday, I started off at the Bowery Ballroom with another of my current favorite bands, Drug Rug. After hearing and falling in love with their album recently, it was my first time seeing them, and they completely blew me away. Fresh off a string of dates opening for the Fiery Furnaces, they were rock solid with their catchy, melody-driven pure old fashioned rock and roll. They have "it"; in fact they're oozing with "it." If you never listen to another word I say, get yourself a copy of their eponymous debut album, easily my favorite of '07.

I then cruised over to the Mercury Lounge to catch the end of Boston's Bon Savants. Sadly I only made it in time for one song, but it was their opus, "Between the Moon and the Ocean," and it made me weak in the knees as usual. Thom Moran wore his signature white suit as they played in the exact same venue in the exact same time slot as last year; this year it seemed the attendance was higher, and some of the audience members included WFNX DJ Dave Duncan and Bang Camaro leader Alex Necochea.

Bon Savants' polished grace and silk-smooth sound have earned them a reputation as one of Boston's best and most notable indie bands.

Old TIG friends The Shaky Hands were coincidentally on next, and I stuck around to hear the first half of their set. Those who attended the TIG birthday parties in July will remember their organic rock style and their energetic hand-drumming. It seemed to me they were a little tighter at this CMJ performance, which could have resulted from some time on the road or just a conscious effort to put their best foot forward given the occasion, but I quite enjoyed the songs I stayed for.

Before I split, someone tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around to find Renée from Elk City! She had ventured out to check out The Shaky Hands based on the CMJ Festival Guide's description of them, which read: "A Portland brand of West Coast folk and poppy melodies."

I didn't stick around for the end of their set because it was finally the time I'd been waiting for all week: My North Carolina boyfriends, The Sammies, were about to take the stage at Ace of Clubs. A little history: Last year I saw The Sammies for the first time ever at CMJ and completely fell for their adorable Southern charm and energetic rock and roll. This summer, shortly after I returned from the TIG birthday parties in Seattle, I threw my own birthday party at my favorite local venue, P.A.'s Lounge. Six bands played, and The Sammies were the headliners. They drove all the way from Charlotte, North Carolina to Boston just for my party, and I'm forever in love with them for it. So I was out-of-my-pants excited to see them again.

Their set was everything I wanted it to be: Fun, upbeat, and rocking, with lots of heart. Their brand of no-frills rock with a touch of pop is accentuated by their engaging and charming stage persona, led by singer/guitarist Frank Backgammon. Guitarist Bobby Freedom spends the entire set blissfully in his zone, eyes closed, inspired by the sweet sounds of his guitar. Drummer Donnie Yale bursts with energy and fun, while new bassist Conrad Vacation (who I met for the first time this night but am 100% in love with just like the others) completely pulled his weight and nicely complemented his new bandmates. I could go on writing my Sammies love letter all day, but there are still other matters to get on to.

On Saturday, I was tired and sick of the NYC subway, but I made it to the Fader Lounge to see Drug Rug one more time and enjoy some free booze. Ran in to an old friend there that I hadn't seen since I was about 14(!), so I spent much of the evening catching up with him. I ended the night with Boston's Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves at Crash Mansion. Reed & co. are a throwback to the 1950s, with Reed crooning atop the big sounds of a full rhythm and blues band with a three-piece horn section. They even brought out a trio of female backup singers in matching outfits for a few songs. The young Reed masterfully achieves a soulful sound from an era long before his time, and is well known in Boston for this. Watching him play, you find yourself for a moment imagining what it was like to live in that era. It was a fitting and satisfying end to my long week of rocking out.

Imaginary interview with Hardy & Brantley from Dead Confederate, with John joining midway through. (Insert imaginary Southern accents here.)

Q: Beatles or Stones?
Both: Beatles!
H: Absolutely

Q: If you were going to do a song about New York based on your experience here, what would the song be?
B: It would have to do with drugs and playing.
H: It would probably be a Sonic Youth song.
B: Yeah. A lot of noise, a lot of chaos, and the lyrics would probably have to do with late nights. Throwing up and falling in a bag of trash.
H: Or just a noise song, not even anything with lyrics, just a fucking Sonic Youth noise jam.
B: Yeah.
H: That'd fit good.

Q: What's your favorite New York delicacy?
B: Hot dogs! Hell yeah.
H: The hot dogs were fucking killer that we had earlier. Deep fried hot dogs.
B: With pineapple and teriyaki... I got a teriyaki one.

Q: So not the pizza or the bagels?
H: They have killer hot dogs!
B: We've eaten a lot of hot dogs.

Q: What would be your ideal jeopardy category?
B: Music. [Laughs] I guess that's obvious.
John [who just joined us]: U.S. History.
H: Or hot dogs.
B: Hot dogs! Hot dogs for every answer. What do I wear? Hot dogs.

Q: This is a joke from Dana, but you can insert your own punchline: What do you call a drummer without a girlfriend?
J: Hot dog.
H: [Laughs] A hot dog.
B: That's pretty close!
B: I was gonna say happy.
H: Thrilled.
J: Percussionist.
B: Ba dom bomp.

Q: Do you guys have any pre-show rituals or superstitions?
B: Beer, drinks.
H: Yeah, some people pot, some people drinks. That's about it.

Q: What does Dead Confederate really need right now?
J: Money?
H: Money! [Laughs] Money. That's true!
B: People that pay attention and come to the shows!
H: Or money.
B: Or money. One of the two.
H: I'd take the cash.

Q: Whitey tighties or boxers?
B: Boxers.
H: Boxer briefs.
B: Kayaking boxers that breathe and dry out quick.

Q: White chocolate mocha or macchiato?
B: White chocolate.
J: Sounds good.
H: Is that like... what is that?
Me: Coffee I think. These are people from Seattle, remember.
H: Oh. Fuckin... Folgers.
B: Oh I thought we were just talking about the actual thing, like, I love white chocolate. So what was the other thing?
Me: Macchiato.
B: Plain ass dark, no sugar, no sweetener, no nothing, straight up black ass coffee.
H: Regular dark roast. Motor oil.

Q: The View or Ellen DeGeneres?
B: Oh my god. H: I'll take The View. I don't watch the show, but Ellen's terrible. She's so horrible.
B: I would take Ellen. J
: Ellen.
B: That's two Ellen and one View.

Q: Do you guys make music for yourselves or others?
B: Ourselves.
H: Definitely.
B: Cause I can't write a song unless it's about something personal or I'm upset. And it has nothing to do with whether the band's going to like it or not.
H: Yeah. It's all personal shit.
J: We're just fortunate that others like it.

Q: If you could fight anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
H: I'd like to get my ass kicked by Johnny Cash, that'd be pretty fucking cool.
B: Damn, that's a good answer. I would fight Webster, cause I would win. I would like to just get smacked by James Brown one time.

Q: What are your thoughts on Radiohead's recent self-release?
B: Awesome. Perfect. Genius. More people should do that.

Q: Got any good jokes?
B: Hardy's got all the good jokes. How about one of the no arms and no legs jokes?
H: I got tons of those. Or a Little Mary Jane joke.
B: Yeah, tell one of those.
H: Little Mary Jane came running in the house one day, and she was like, "Mama mama, the barn's on fire, the barn's on fire!" and her mom was like, "Mary Jane, your daddy's gonna kill you, he's done told you about playing with matches in that barn." And Mary Jane just laughed and laughed, cause she knew her daddy was in that barn. [Everybody laughing]

Little Mary Jane, she was out on the playground one day, she was climbing on the monkey bars and she had a little sundress on, and the teacher came over and said, "Mary Jane, you need to get down from the monkey bars. Them boys are gonna come over here and look up your skirt and see your underwear." Mary Jane just laughed and laughed, cause she knew she didn't have any underwear on.

Q: Well thanks you guys!
H: Thank you! That was easy.
B: That was the most fun interview ever. Good questions!

The second half of Betsy Boston's advetures at CMJ 2007, featuring Drug Rug, the Bon Savants, Shaky Hands, the Sammies, an interview with Dead Confederate, and many more!

The TIG birthday weekend: an imaginary recap

three imaginary girls — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:04:27 +0000

7 Jul 2007

boatchona07jul2.jpg

When TIG decided to host not one but two shows to celebrate our 5th birthday, we knew it would be a blast of a weekend. And we were right. We had the times of our imaginary lives, and we owe it all to you... well, and to the fabulous bands who played (BOAT, the Shaky Hands, Dolour, Eux Autres, Patience Please, and the Western States Motels, we HEART THEE!!!!).

Here are a few words and images from the imaginary staff to relay the fun times.

Here's to imaginary year number six, and beyond!

"On my summer vacation, I went to Seattle and saw Dana and David and Rick and Mona and Fellini and Kaylee and Jesse and Ever and Liz and Kelly and Andras and Cal and Stacia and Pete and Bijou and Christine and Char and Brian and Robby and Embracey and Melissa and ChrisB and Rick and BOAT and Jimi and Kjersti and Jason and Elle and Kiku and Stella and Chelsea and Jeremy and a lot of other people. It was fun and I got to wear fake eyelashes. The End."

~ Betsy Boston

"Whoooo-eee, that was a party if I've ever seen one! BOAT really brought down the house with their trademark fun, playful performance (I brought my "Official BOAT Shaker" and geeked out in the front row!), and Patience Please were spot on, as always. These two were my favorites of the night and both bands deserved to sell about a million (at the very least!) copies of their new releases. The ever-lovely Eux Autres played an impressive set, too. The Shaky Hands were a bit more rock and a bit less pop than the other bands, but their percussionist (not their drummer, but their cowbell/shakers/etc. player) was a kick to watch dancing around in his aviator sunglasses!"

~ imaginary Chelsea

"My highlights from the Friday night Croc show:

* Dana's hair. I still want to know what those crafty VAIN folks put in there to make it beehive so Winehouse-ily.
* Liz's hair. I like to imagine she's wearing the blue extensions on her travels, days later, right this minute.
* Char's hair. Mainly just because it was attached to Char, who is a general delight."

~ imaginary boy embracey

"The Shaky Hands have so much energy. At one point at the end of their set, I almost called 9-1-1 because they were writhing around -- on the floor and standing up -- with such intensity, I though for sure they were on fire. Seriously, I've never seen anyone play the cowbell with such fervor in my life. And this was at the Vera Project all ages show, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't alcohol induced fervor.

At the Croc show, I loved watching all of the tig staff members who had never met (but had exchanged witty banter via the imagiblog) meet each other. There were hugs, there were tears, it was like a show on Lifetime television for women... Without Valerie Bertinelli playing the poor-single-mom-being-stalked-by-her-ex-husband's-father plotline."

~ imaginary char

"There was much, much to love about the the two evenings. I had the rare pleasure in seeing many of my favorite people in the world in a span of about 27 hours; at the Croc on Friday night the beer was flowing freely (and free) and it was wonderful to meet Betsy Boston, Elle, Imaginary Chelsea, and Imaginary Kiku, all de-lovelies who I've only known of through this site and not known until this weekend. Yet, as Kylie Minogue once put it (probably dishonestly in her case and certainly in mine), "I'm just here for the
music." I'm sure that most people will be commenting on BOAT and The Shaky Hands (or as I now call them, with affection, "Clap Your Shaky Hands Say Yeah") - and for good reason - and all of the bands were terrific, truth be told. If I had to pick just one, it would be the returning champions, Dolour (who also played TIG's 3rd birthday party). Lead singer Shane Tutmarc is one of the best and most consistent songwriters in town. I really love the Beach Boys-influenced pop from one of the northwest's finest bands."

~ ChrisB

Getting to feel like a super rockstar at VAIN for our makeovers was definitely a treat and if you ever have the chance to do it yourself, I highly recommend. I couldn't possibly pick a favorite band -- they were all so incredible! I thought the Western States Motel were an incredibly happy surprise, and BOAT of course stole both the shows.

~ imaginary Dana

"Of course meeting all the Imaginary writers was an amazing thing. It was so neat to be at a show with dozens of folks who really love the Seattle music scene. Seeing everyone in their party dresses was fun too :]

Although many of the over-21 crowd were most likely all partied out from the previous night's show, the enthusiasm and energy was still overwhelmingly present in BOAT's spectacular performance. This was the third time I've seen BOAT live, and it seems like every show they play they add something new. With their quirky assortment of odd instruments, their interaction with the audience (ahm, Official BOAT Shakers!) and their killer rock-star dance moves, it's obvious that they love music, and performing, and really you couldn't ask for nicer guys to provide your pop music fix."

~ imaginary Kiku

Our fifth birthday party weekend was nothing short of amazing! See some photos, and read what some imaginary staffers had to say about it.

Kind words about our shows this weekend (and the bands playing at them)

imaginary dana — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:49:13 +0000

A huge HUZZAH and THANKS BUNCHES to all the fine publications who've given a bit of love to our two birthday shows this weekend, and to the awesome bands who are playing at them.

TIG 5th Birthday Party Weekend of Shows!

three imaginary girls — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:33:39 +0000

7 Jul 2007

TIGJuly7.gif

Three Imaginary Girls is turning FIVE years old!

To celebrate, we're hosting TWO great nights of rock and roll fun (one 21+, and one all-ages). And we want YOU to be there to join in the fun. Both shows are co-sponsored by 90.3 KEXP, and the 21+ show is also co-sponsored by PBR and VAIN. Here are the exciting lineups!

Friday night 7/6 at the Croc (21+)

BOAT (CD release show!)
The Shaky Hands
Dolour
The Western States Motel

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 DOS {buy}

Saturday night 7/7 at the Vera Project (all-ages)

The Shaky Hands
BOAT (CD release show!)
Eux Autres
Patience Please

Tickets are $7, $6 for Vera members {buy}

The nights will also feature loads of party treats, as any good fifth birthday party should. The 21+ show will feature rockstar guerrilla makeovers from VAIN (to bring out your inner rockstar), in-person love advice from Love is Hard columnist Rachel Flotard (of Visqueen), and raffle prizes from Sub Pop, Barsuk, and Easy Street Records. And of course, both nights will feature live music from six of the most exciting imaginary bands we know on the left coast.

The two shows will also be a great place to meet all the amazing people who contribute to Three Imaginary Girls every day (you didn't think it was just three of us still, did you?), including our latest additions, our Boston live show correspondent Betsy Boston, and a small posse of the cutest all-ages writers ever, who will keep us up-to-date on the under 21 goings-on in Seattle this summer and beyond.

Five years! Can ya believe it? Yeah, us neither. So pick out your favorite party dress, raise a glass (or three! or five!), and come celebrate with us.

PS ~ If you want to have a listen for what the bands sound like, check out our most recent podcast, which features two songs from each of the bands playing our birthday shows!

Three Imaginary Girls is turning FIVE years old! To celebrate, we're hosting TWO great nights of rock and roll fun (one 21+, and one all-ages). And we want YOU to be there to join in the fun.

TIG presents: Our fifth birthday party shows!

imaginary dana — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 07:00:00 +0000

Get ready to crack out your best party dress! Three Imaginary Girls is thrilled to announce a double-shot weekend of shows to celebrate our fifth birthday party!

The shows will take place in Seattle on:

Friday, July 6, 2007 at the Crocodile Cafe (21+)
Saturday, July 7, 2007 at the Vera Project (all-ages)

Both shows are co-sponsored by 90.3 KEXP, and the 21+ show is also co-sponsored by PBR and VAIN. Here are the exciting lineups!

Friday night 7/6 at the Croc (21+)

BOAT (CD release show!)
The Shaky Hands
Dolour
The Western States Motel

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 DOS {buy}

Saturday night 7/7 at the Vera Project (all-ages)

The Shaky Hands
BOAT (CD release show!)
Eux Autres
Patience Please

Tickets are $7, $6 for Vera members {buy}

The nights will also feature loads of party treats, as any good fifth birthday party should. The 21+ show will feature rockstar guerrilla makeovers from VAIN, in-person love advice from Love is Hard columnist Rachel Flotard (of Visqueen), and loads of other surprises. And of course, both nights will feature live music from six of the most exciting imaginary bands we know on the left coast.

Five years! Can ya believe it? Yeah, us neither. So pick out your favorite party dress and come celebrate with us.

***********************************************

MORE ABOUT THE AWESOME BANDS!

BOAT
Seattle's lo-fi troubadours celebrate their DIY ethic with smart, catchy songs and -- best of all -- their second full-length release on Portland's Magic Marker records.
BOAT on TIG: http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/band/boat
Website: http://boat.ohnodisaster.com
MP3: http://boat.ohnodisaster.com/mp3s
Label: Magic Marker Records

The Shaky Hands
Hook-laden and jangly in all the right places, the debut, self-titled release from Portland's the Shaky Hands was highly anticipated by TIG as well as a majority of music blogging community, who were captivated by their fresh, disarming brand of indie-rock.
The Shaky Hands on TIG: http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/band/theshakyhands
Website: http://www.myspace.com/shakyhands
Video: "Why and How Come?"
Label: Holocene

Dolour
It's been over three years since the last sunshiny release from Seattle pop masters Dolour, and after hearing the The Year in the Wilderness, we know it's been worth the late. Come welcome back the return of Seattle's best Pet Sounds-flavored pop band.
Dolour on TIG: http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/band/dolour
Website: http://www.dolour.com/
Recommended track: "Naive"
Label: self-released

Eux Autres
Portland's Eux Autres charm with their coarse, cute, clever, and cosmopolitan songs. The brother-sister duo (drummer Heather, guitarist Nicholas) craft songs that range from fetching nonchalant quips to wacked-out euro-stylee indie-pop bliss.
Eux Autres on TIG: http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/band/euxautres
Website: http://www.euxautres.net
MP3: http://www.euxautres.net/music/Eux_Autres-Ecoutez_Bien.mp3
Label: Grenadine Records

Patience Please
The very imaginary Seattle quartet Patience Please will rock the stage with their darling Jets to Brazil musicianship and Bunnygrunt quirk. Also the band is *this close* to releasing their debut full-length (titled Fleeting Frequencies) so the show will be chock full of new energetically cute (and new) PP songs.
Patience Please on TIG: http://threeimaginarygirls.com/band/patienceplease
Website: http://www.myspace.com/patienceplease
MP3: http://www.indiepages.com/patienceplease/illhave.mp3
Label: Happy Happy Birthday to Me

The Western States Motel
LA's the Western State Motels are a little bit folkie, and a little bit indie-pop-and-roll, and their debut LP has garnered praise as far and wide as the LA Times to SPIN to My Old Kentucky Blog -- and of course, Three Imaginary Girls. One of the most promising new bands from our neighbors to the way south. Website: http://www.thewesternstatesmotel.com/
Recommended track "Cheap Speakers"
Label: Self-released

5..gif

Get all the deets to plan ahead for our TWO birthday party shows, July 6th and 7th, 2007, featuring BOAT, the Shaky Hands, Eux Autres, Dolour, the Western States Motel, and Patience Please.

Our all-ages 5th birthday party show at VERA: only one week from tonight!

imaginary dana — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 22:15:41 +0000

We're excited!!

Our 5th birthday party show at the Croc: only six more days!

imaginary dana — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 22:10:17 +0000

Get fired up!

Only 8 (and 9) days to go till our TIG 5th birthday shows! {BOAT has been P-Forked!}

imaginary liz — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:45:50 +0000

We are proud and deliriously happy for BOAT who's new album, Let's Drag Our Feet, has inspired Pitchfork to take notice (and in a subliminal, very hopeful way, we think it is the indie demigod's way of celebrating our birthday with us).

PDX Pop Now! announces initial lineup

imaginary dana — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:50:02 +0000

Loads of great Northwest bands will be playing the PDX Pop Now! festival August 3-5, 2007.

Only 9 (and 10) days to go till our TIG 5th birthday shows! {new podcast!}

imaginary dana — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:42:11 +0000

To get ready for the shows, our treat of the day today is a new Imaginary Indie Tunes podcast. This podcast includes two songs from each of the six artists performing at our shows: BOAT, The Shaky Hands, Dolour, the Western States Motel, Eux Autres, and Patience Please!

Three Imaginary Girls Podcast June 2007

three imaginary girls — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:00:42 +0000

This podcasts highlights bands who will be playing at our two TIG 5th Birthday Party shows on July 6-7th, 2007, including BOAT, the Shaky Hands, Dolour, Patience Please, Eux Autres, and the Western States Motel.

39:58 minutes (8 MB)

BOAT's stand-out record, Happy Happy Birthday to TIG

imaginary liz — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:16:11 +0000

Let's talk about how giddy and proud we are to be presenting the TWO BOAT album release shows in early July. The shows will also be celebrating TIG's 5th birthday! Get on your best party dress (even you Jason!), here's the scoop on all the goodness we're cramming into two nights.

Pssst! TIG is presenting our fifth anniversary party and you're all invited!!

imaginary dana — Wed, 02 May 2007 23:51:23 +0000

It's a bit early, but we wanted to give you a sneak-peak into our Three Imaginary Girls FIFTH BIRTHDAY PARTY show. There are loads of details still in the works, but here's what we know so far...

The Shaky Hands: Why and How Come?

imaginary dana — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:55:57 +0000

Portland's The Shaky Hands is about to release one of our favorite records (local or otherwise) so far for 2007, a self-titled debut of jangles, hooks, and delectable pop-sensibilities (the band has been in high iPod rotation for me since I got the release).