Three Imaginary Girls - The Saturday Knights

So what's Barfly from the Saturday Knights been up to in Hollywood, anyways? (And a reminder about Tilson)

Chris Estey — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:36:07 +0000

So long-time Seattle hip-hop demigod Barfly went south to Los Angeles a few months ago, thus putting The Saturday Knights on the shelf for good (are they really gone? Could the life force that spawned the mad art of he and DJ Spence and Tilson be frozen completely?).

Meanwhile, Barfly, who has always had a few joints blazing in different sectors, has resurrected one of his pre-TSK teams Candy .22, with their album A Girl And Her Gun set for soon in 2010. That release will be on Grimm Image, and this prelude video below for new track "Streetlights" from director Hazard Gibson (of Cinema Muerte) features music from Smoke of Pac NW rap kings Oldominion:

GIVE-ing season arrived this week -- with a 30+ track local artist compilation

imaginary victoria — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:58:24 +0000

Fresh off the presses from our inboxes comes this week's launch of GIVE -- 30 downloadable tracks from a variety of Seattle artists, who are donating their songs to benefit Arts Corps and local area foodbanks. The $7.00 (!) compilation, which was produced, curated, and funded by Caffe Vita, will be available online here. Physical compilations can be picked up at all Caffe Vita locations, Easy Street Records, Sonic Boom Records, University Book Store, The Crocodile, EMP, Neumo's, and Sorrento Hotel. The in-hand compilations will include a physical card with a redemption code for the download, and a prettied-up sleeve to make it a ready-to-give present.

Here's the full track listing -- nearly all of which are exclusive to the compilation:

Re: Recommended Saturday night show: Exhibitchin' #01 at the EMP|SFM

ChrisB — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 02:42:02 +0000

I agree with you, Amie, that Exhibitchin' sounds like a great event, where I'm sure I'll see you in a few hours, and my love of The Saturday Knights should surprise exactly no one.

I wanted to post this video to The Saturday Knight's "Count It Off" because it's on display at the EMP right now as part of the "Jim Henson's Fantastic World" exhibit. It's also getting ready to premiere on MTV2's show Subterranean this week, before added to the video rotation on MTV and its various channels.

Recommended Saturday night show: Exhibitchin' #01 at the EMP|SFM

Imaginary Amie — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:12:05 +0000

Do you like Muppets? And local bands? And $3 beers? Well then, I have the show for YOU. The EMP|SFM Exhibitchin' #01 is tonight! The deets:

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009 - Sunday, August 2, 2009

Time: 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Ticket Info: Tickets are $10 for EMP|SFM members and $12 for the general public in advance; and $15 for EMP|SFM members and general public at the door. Tickets are on sale now at brownpapertickets.com.
EMP|SFM’s new after hours dance party will feature live music, cheap drinks and super surprises throughout the evening and into the morning.

Tonight's recommended show: Dyme Def's EP release

ChrisB — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:13:35 +0000

Tonight, the Crocodile is hosting their first hip hop show, and it's going to be quite the party. It's the EP release for Dyme Def's newest album, Panic.

New Saturday Knights video: Count it Off

ChrisB — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:58:05 +0000

The Saturday Knights premiered a new video to their single "Count it Off" last week at SXSW.

Win tickets to the huge Oldominion show (complete with the Saturday Knights) on Saturday night

three imaginary girls — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:52:42 +0000

We here at TIG are big fans of the Saturday Knights (they were our imaginary #1 in the TIG Editors' top picks of 2008 after all) so we're honored to have a pair of tickets to give away to the big show.

Best of 2008: Top Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll Winners

three imaginary girls — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:08:31 +0000

Upset. The word of the our 2008 Best Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll is upset.

With the Fleet Foxes winning readers and critical polls alike, who would've thought they wouldn't get top honors in our humble little Northwest poll? But they didn't -- they placed a distant second to New Faces, another debut record from some very talented, very young Northwest fellas.

We had other surprises as well, with unsigned newcomers such as Hey Marseilles, the Kindness Kind, and Kaylee Cole cracking the top ten, beating out Northwest heavyweights such as Death Cab for Cutie. We did not expect that. And we love it when you surprise us, dear readers.

We imaginaries like to champion the up-and-comers from the Northwest, and our results indicate that you do as well. We think you all also have fabulous taste, as always. Thanks to everyone who participated in our poll. We couldn't be more proud or thrilled to present the top 50 winners on your behalf...

Winners of the TIG Top Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll:

50. Michael Vermillion - Last Night on Earth {info}
49. Jared Mees and the Grown Children - Caffeine, Alchohol, Sunshine, Money {album review}
48. Destruction Island - Destruction Island Preaches the New Wilderness
47. Boy Eats Drums Machine - Booomboxxx
46. The Apple War - Alarm Bell City {live show review}
45. The Hungry Pines - Golden You {info}
44. Hypatia Lake - Angels & Demons Space & Time {info}
43. All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Into It {live show review}
42. The Dandy Warhols - ...Earth to the Dandy Warhols... {info}
41. By Sunlight - By Sunlight
40. Blue Scholars - Butter and Guns {info}
39. Parenthetical Girls - Entanglements {album review}
38. Your Heart Breaks - Love is a Long Dark Road
37. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Sunday at Devil Dirt {info}
36. H is for Hellgate - Come for the peaks stay for the valleys {info}
35. Andrea Wittgens - In The Skyline {info}
34. Common Market - Black Patch War {album review}
33. Colin Meloy - Colin Meloy Sings Live! {album review}
32. Chris Walla - Field Manual {album review}
31. Head Like a Kite - There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere {album review}
30. Lake - Oh, the Places You'll Go
29. BOAT - Topps {info}
28. 31 Knots - Worried Well {info}
27. Gutter Twins - Saturnalia {album review}
26. Moondoggies - Don't Be A Stranger {info}
25. Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hands - Cody's Dream {album review}
24. Tea for Julie - The Sense in Tying Knots {album review}
23. Central Services - Central Services Presents... The Board of Education! {info}
22. These Arms Are Snakes - Tail Swallower & Dove {info}
21. Speaker Speaker - Call It Off {info}
20. Sera Cahoone - Only As the Day Is Long {album review}
19. Dutchess and the Duke - She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke {live show review}
18. The Saturday Knights - Mingle {album review}
17. Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams {album review}
16. Helms Alee - Night Terror {live show review}
15. Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Glistening Pleasure {live show review}
14. Death Cab for Cute - Narrow Stairs {album review}
13. Voyager One - Afterhours in the Afterlife {album review}
12. Shane Tutmarc and the Traveling Mercies - Hey Lazarus {album review}
11. Black Nite Crash - Array {info}
10. Damien Jurado - Caught In The Trees {album review}
9. Blitzen Trapper - Furr {album review}
8. Grand Archives - Grand Archives {album review}
7. Hey Marseilles - To Travels and Trunks {live show review}
6. Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead {album review}
5. Man Plus - Hungarian Suicide Songbook {album review}
4. The Kindness Kind - The Kindness Kind {info}
3. Kaylee Cole - We're Still Here Missing You {live show review}
2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes {album review}
1. New Faces - Two Years {album review}

Bestof2008-180.jpg

Upset. The word of the our 2008 Best Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll is upset.

Best of 2008: Top Northwest Releases of 2008 TIG Editorial Picks

three imaginary girls — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:10:11 +0000

TIG staffers are a lot like you -- coming up with our list of faves for the year is a fun and gripping process. After comparing/contrasting/debating our individual favorites, we figured the sum of our imaginary parts would make for an interesting list.

While ChrisB and Keenan, among other things, brought in the power-pop elements, Chris Estey stood by the smartie subtle elements of this year's Northwest offerings. Imaginary liz, as usual, loved the lo-fi and indie-pop songs, while imaginary dana spent much of the year obessed with Throw the the Statue and of course, the Fleet Foxes. And nearly all of us agreed that the Saturday Knights album was a force to be reckoned with. Here's our our staff votes tallied up...

Top Northwest Releases of 2008, TIG Editorial Picks:

25. The Nextdoor Neighbors - Magic Vs The Machine {live show review}
24. The Dead Science - Villanaire {album review}
23. H is for Hellgate - Come for the peaks stay for the valleys {info}
22. Kay Kay and His Weathered Underdround - Kay Kay and His Weathered Underdround {live show review}
21. BOAT - Topps EP {live show review}
20. LoveLand - The Beautiful Truth {info}
19. Damien Jurado - Caught In The Trees {album review}
18. Common Market - Black Patch War {album review}
17. Chris Walla - Field Manual {album review}
16. Hey Marseilles - To Travels and Trunks {live show review}
15. Jared Mees and the Grown Children - Caffeine, Alchohol, Sunshine, Money {album review}
14. Grand Archives - Grand Archives {album review}
13. Man Plus - Hungarian Suicide Songbook {album review}
12. Wallpaper - On The Chewing Gum Ground
11. (TIE) Young Sportsmen - If You Want It {album review}
11. (TIE) Doll Test - Mosque Alarm Clock
10. The Pica Beats - Beating Back the Claws of the Cold {info}
9. Team Gina - Products of the 80s {album review}
8. The Kindness Kind - The Kindness Kind {info}
7. The Pharmacy - Choose Ur Own Adventure {info}
6. Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams {album review}
5. Dutchess and the Duke - She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke {live show review}
4. The Old Haunts - Poisonous Times {live show review}
3. All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Into It {live show review}
2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes {album review}
1. The Saturday Knights - Mingle {album review}

Peruse some of individual staffer favs:

Amelia Gydé
ChrisB
Chris Estey
Erik Gonzalez
keenan dowers
Kyle Johnson {his photos} {other's photos}
imaginary dana
imaginary liz
Shrie

skwinner.jpg

imaginary dana's top Northwest picks for 2008

imaginary dana — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:45:05 +0000

I'm a chronic procrastinator, so here it is, January 5th, and I'm finally ready to make sense of the musical chaos and wonderment that was 2008 and compile a list of favorites.

Don't even try to make me rank these releases in order, or I'll never, ever finish my list. Let's just say these were some of the very best local bands in my iTunes list this year, presented alphabetically.

New Years Eve at The Paramount+The Blue Moon=Holiday Perfection w/ many Favorite Bands

Amelia Gydé — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:21:10 +0000

31 Dec 2008

saturdayknights 12.31.08ccc.jpg

I shopped extensively for New Years Eve shows and initially dismissed The Paramount’s offering with headliners The Presidents of The Unites States of America, as I am not a huge fan of their music. The rest of the lineup, which included Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground, The Saturday Knights and Monotonix eventually won me over. I figured I could enjoy them all and still get back to the U-District in time to see my ultimate NYE midnight show goal: A Gun That Shoots Knives at the Blue Moon.

My favorite NYE shows usually take place at steamy packed bar venues. At The Paramount, I walked in and right up to the stage barricade through the sparse audience listening to the talented Vince Mira and The Roy Kay Trio.

Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground was next, and it was nice to see them on a stage large enough to comfortably hold them all. The perfect New Years Eve band, Kay Kay creates and spreads festivity and community and the audience warmed appreciably.

Had The Saturday Knights not played this show, I would have skipped it. I’ll admit I saw them in October mostly because drummer Trent Moorman (Head Like a Kite) and guitarist Thomas Hunter (Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground and Wild Orchid Children) were accompanying. This time I was able to forget their bands and see Trent, Thomas and Dave Martin (Slender Means) as the ideal catalyst for the force that is The Saturday Knights. Perfectly executed songs rolled out over the growing audience that wanted more, as did I when the Knights left the stage and we were left to prepare for Monotonix.

The barricades surrounding Monotonix’s equipment were moved and the crowd closed in. Most of what is expected from a Monotonix set occurred: hairy nudity, shrieking, a violated trash can, a temporary kidnapping and a roving drum set. The Paramount’s size didn’t allow for Monotonix to lead everyone out to the street, and although they didn’t have many available climbing options, their fuzzy punk music is reason enough to see them live.

I mentioned my dislike for The Presidents of The United States of America. I saw them a few times live in their early years and just didn’t get it. Heavy rotation can be cruel, and I was regularly faced with songs my ears tried to reject. Time heals, I hoped and I wanted to hear PUSA this New Years Eve with a fresh appreciation for a much-loved Seattle staple. I tried, but didn’t make it through two songs before turning to hug a friend goodbye and fleeing to the lobby doors.

I’m sure PUSA would not have wanted me to stay. I’m sure they are terrific people and would have wanted me to get out of there as quickly as I could, stopping only to grab/gulp another friend’s beer (my first of the night) on the way out the front door to find a cab to drop me in front of the Blue Moon at ten minutes to midnight, which is exactly what I did.

Great music, steamy windows and lots of friends welcomed me at the Blue Moon – it’s wonderful walking into your neighborhood bar on New Years Eve when everyone’s already tanked and your apartment is less than a block away. I dumped my coat on the pool table pile and headed toward the stage, where A Gun That Shoots Knives and their fans were creating a holiday-worthy ruckus.

AGTSK played well past midnight; I slacked off in my smoke machine duties, took a lot of photos, was surrounded by friends and began 2009 exactly as I wanted.

I shopped extensively for New Years Eve shows and immediately dismissed The Paramount’s offering with The Presidents of The Unites States of America, as I genuinely detest their music. But...

imaginary liz's favorites of 2008 in mix cd form

imaginary liz — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:42:40 +0000

One of my end of the year rituals is to compile my favorites of the year into a single mix tape / cd / playlist. For me, this year has been ripe with songs I've listened to on repeat. So many so, I actually had to cut out some so that I didn't alienate the casual mix tape listener. After a casual polling of my friends, I found that four-cd mix isn't all that digestible.

Win tickets to the New Years Eve Extravaganza at the Paramount

imaginary liz — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:33:48 +0000

Is there a better way to spend your evening than as a BIG WINNER with the Saturday Knights and Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground (among others) at The Paramount?

Chris B's Top 10 NW Releases of 2008

ChrisB — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:31:14 +0000

Here are the ten Northwest albums that made my iPod a happier place in 2008.

Bumbershoot 2008: Day 2

three imaginary girls — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:33:55 +0000

31 Aug 2008

bumbershoot_lonelyh2.jpg

Sometimes a picture says a 1,000 words. If that's the case, then we've got a whole lot to say about the rock and roll goodness that was Day 2 of Bumbershoot 2008, as captured by photographers Chona Kasinger, Andrew Waits, Nathan Feder, and Kyle Johnson.

Our coverage includes reviews of Tapes N' Tapes, the Saturday Knights, Speaker Speaker, Sons and Daughters, Brother Ali, and loads more.

Have a look, won't you...?

The Lonely H, EMP Sky Church

The Lonely H. Photo by Andrew Waits.

Shim, EMP Sky Church

Shim. Photos by Chona Kasinger.

The Shackletons, Rockstar Stage

The Shackletons. Photos by Andrew Waits.

Sons and Daughters, KEXP Lounge

Sons and Daughters. Photos by Andrew Waits.

These Arms Are Snakes, Exhibition Hall

Using the fact they haven't shown their faces as a band for a few months as an excuse in case they forgot how to perform, These Arms Are Snakes took the stage. But soon, Steve Snere was commending the crowd for making the show funner than the band had expected, and he laid the asshole stage swagger on thick. He crawled under the stage for half a song, threw his belt into the crowd but then asked for it back minutes later, sat on guardrail huggers, flipped off the crowd, and nearly had the microphone cord wrap dangerously around him during one of many crowd surfing adventures. "Does the End even play your music?" someone cried out, referring to stage sponsor 107.7 FM. "Does the End ever play music you listen to?" Steve retorted. They pulled out several of their new songs from their impending release, of which confirmed the local boys are still going strong. Despite many real assholes in the audience, who were very obviously not real TAAS fans, and technical difficulties involving pedal cords, which provoked lame jokes to be told, and considering the general shittiness of the Exhibition Hall, the band brought out an entertaining set. (imaginary elle)

These Arms Are Snakes. Photos by Andrew Waits.

Speaker Speaker, EMP Sky Church

Speaker Speaker. Photos by Andrew Waits.

The Saturday Knights, Fisher Green

Sons and Daughters, Rockstar Stage

Sons and Daughters. Photos by Andrew Waits.

The Hands, EMP Sky Church

The Hands. Photos by Andrew Waits.

Brother Ali, Exhibition Hall

Brother Ali. Photos by Kyle Johnson.

Tapes N Tapes, Rockstar Stage

Tapes N Tapes. Photos by Kyle Johnson.

Our coverage includes reviews of Tapes N' Tapes, the Saturday Knights, Speaker Speaker, Sons and Daughters, Brother Ali, and loads more.

Have a look, won't you...?

The Dro Bots Saga: A mindblowing (and free) 16-min mash up

Chris Estey — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:21:17 +0000

It blows my mind in a thousand ways. And it's FREE!

Download the Saturday Knights record "Mingle" for free

imaginary dana — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:30:58 +0000

The kind folks at the band's label (Light in the Attic) have made the record available for free download. The artwork for the free download promotion is pretty damn funny, too.

KEXP BBQ 2008

heather b — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:48:09 +0000

9 Aug 2008

kexpbbq08aug5.jpg

As I stepped outside my apartment on my way to the 2008 KEXP BBQ, I felt a few drops of rain falling. I wisely doubled back and grabbed an umbrella and jacket from my car. Normally a little rain doesn't faze me, but with freshly dyed hair one must plan ahead. Last time I got caught in a storm, I came out looking like Andrew W.K. Heading down to the event, the bus was full of BBQ goers and everyone seemed to be in a good mood, regardless of the impending weather. I wondered if the show would indeed go on if it rained as much as the clouds were threatening.

Arriving at the event, I immediately bumped into a couple of friends from my KEXP volunteer days, and heard about how awesome Greg Vandy's jug band had been. Crap! I really wish I had been there to see them play. The weather was still pretty nice at that point and I wandered into the beer garden to check shit out in there. Lo-o-o-ng lines at the Pyramid beer booths, so I milled around a bit more before being totally stunned by the Saturday Knights! Chris B. has already posted an excellent review of that set, but let me just say I was blown away by how amazing TSK's were on Saturday. I'll definitely be seeing them next time they play.

After the Saturday Knights, I found Imaginary ChrisB and Imaginary Chona to compare notes and catch up a bit before Common Market began. During this time, a non-threatening sprinkle began to fall, which very quickly turned into SUMMER STORM 2008. Thank god for my umbrella! Hipsters were floating past me on swift running rivulets. I noticed animals marching onto the SLUT two by two. I honestly thought they were going to call the whole BBQ off for a second. Undaunted, Common Market launched their set in spite of the downpour, with lots of impromptu rhymes about summer in Seattle.

The beer garden was crammed full of people under the plastic sheeting and small patio umbrellas, trying to get out of the rain. We saw others taking refuge under the Pyramid Beer van. The Common Market set was genuinely good and was a force more driving than the rain, leading most of the crowd to stick around regardless of the weather. I have to say, I don't think any other band could have kept the crowd's spirits as high. The rain eventually slowed to a steady drizzle and then finally stopped altogether, just in time for the Helio Sequence to start
setting up onstage.

I read a really great set by the Helio Sequence just a few weeks ago at SP20 and was a little loathe to cover them in the wake of Chona's fantastic review from that show. Honestly though, they're an easy band to love and an easier band to review; they don't ever disappoint. The sound was a little sketchy at first, especially from where I was standing, but technical issues were resolved early in the set. The Helio Sequence has been playing quite a bit lately and seem very comfortable onstage (if a little tired), cheering everyone with their bouncy, upbeat opener. Drummer Ben Weikel played flawlessly in his characteristic style, although usually he's at an 11 and Saturday he was at about 5/6.

I have to admit that vocalist Brandon Summers seemed a little less energetic than normal as well but they still turned in a decent performance and the audience didn't seem to notice or mind either. In fact, a collective "WHOOP" went up from the crowd when "Can't Say No" began. We also heard "Lately" and the unilateral favorites "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" and "Hallelujah" as the closing two songs. At that point, the crowd seemed really happy, the Helio Sequence was really relaxed and everyone was just in a groove, dancing and smiling a lot. YAAAY. The set ended with much applause and a gracious Helio Sequence left the stage.

While waiting for Joseph Arthur to set up, an enormous, vibrant double rainbow appeared overhead, prompting KEXP DJ John Richards to treat the milling crowd to an a capella "Rainbow Connection" while we waited in line for beer or food. It didn't take long for Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts to set up. Early into their set, they sang Happy Birthday to G. Whiz (I found out later he was their drummer) and also dedicated a song to "the late, great Bernie Mac" later in the set, containing the lyric "If you're gonna leave, you should say goodbye." A little sad.

The set became more upbeat after that, at times the whole audience was clapping and singing along and really seemed to enjoy the Neil Young-infused country electric style. I gotta tell ya, I thought Joseph Arthur had one of the most beautiful acoustic guitars I've ever seen.

Unfortunately at this point, my friend and I were both tired, damp and a little drunk so we unfortunately were not able to stay for the Dandy Warhols. It had been a good enough day already! But looking at Chona's amazing photos, I have some strong regrets about not staying...

Thank god for my umbrella! Hipsters were floating past me on swift running rivulets. I noticed animals marching onto the SLUT two by two.

Did you outlast the rain on Saturday for the rest of the KEXP lineup?

Jeanine Anderson — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:25:16 +0000

Urban legend begins: a broken tambourine brings midwest-worthy rain and lightning.

The weekend live show check-in

imaginary dana — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:55:12 +0000

How about you? See any noteworthy shows this weekend? Please tell us all about 'em in the comments below.