{Rachel and Ben of Visqueen at TIG's 69 Love Songs show in 2008. Photo by Laura Musselman}

Visqueen recently announced that, after more than 13 years of making us merry, they are going on an indefinite hiatus with the close of November, 2011.  Although I agree It's totally fair for them to want to put down their guitars and sticks after such an amazing run, I have to admit it's really sad to think about imaginary life without the hope of ever seeing another Visqueen show (last shows listed below - get your tickets now!).

This got me reminiscing about all the amazing moments Three Imaginary Girls has had with them since our beginning nearly 10 years ago. It's a natural fit that as Visqueen shot to the forefront of the Seattle music scene, we were there in the front row basking in their glow.  All that superfandom has resulted in about 80 Visqueen posts over the years and more than a few "most memorable moments of my life" and, of course, a Top 5 Imaginary Visqueen Moments list!

1. OUR FIRST EVER VISQUEEN SHOW
About a month after we launched Three Imaginary Girls, we posted this review of the July 3, 2002 Visqueen show that pretty much set the tone for the website. We {gush} talk about Kim Warnick, they cover a Tom Petty song, and Kim gives away a pair of tickets to see the Who that weekend{/gush}.  We should have mentioned it more pointedly, but huge thanks to Pete Hilgendorf for telling us about Visqueen in the first place.

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Okay. We know Saturday's Seattle Rock Orchestra show isn't just about Rachel Flotard, but she's just so damn fantastic (as this picture by the amazing Christopher Nelson shows) that we can't ever resist a chance to mention her.

The lovely Ms. Flotard, along with The Seattle Rock Orchestra, Jon Auer, Joshua Morrison, Kaylee Cole, and a veritable star-studded cast of local musicians will be performing a tribute-y evening around Radiohead's The Bends and OK Computer this weekend. The show takes place Saturday (February 19th) at the Moore Theater, and if you're not swooning the night away out at Columbia City Theater, you'd best come and get yourself a seat.

That's about all we need to say about it, n'est ce pas? We'll see you there.

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It's safe to say here at Three Imaginary Girls that we go to a lot of shows. Sometimes, two (or three) in one night, if there's more than one must-see happening going on about town. And so it's no surprise that in 2010 alone, just on my own, I managed to go to shoot at least two shows a week on average, attended another two dozen-ish (or so) sans camera, plus several festivals, house parties and a handful of KEXP in-studios. We're talking everything from nights at the Sunset and Neumos to four days in Portland for MFNW, out locally for long weekends at Bumbershoot and Sasquatch, and down to SXSW and back again.

On any given night there are plenty of shows taking place, in rooms across Seattle and across the country, where boys and girls and instruments and fans all convene inside four walls to make, appreciate, and experience live music -- but not all of them are Shows. When I reference shows in this post, I'm talking about the nights that we collectively See A Show, the nights that remind me us why we live in Seattle in the first place. Seeing A Show has the ability to alter the fabric of our respective existence, to leave us forever changed -- full of those everything-I've-ever-done-led-to-this-exact-right-now kinds of moments.

With a history timeline at the ready via flickr sets and hastily scrawled notes from stage right, I give you some of my greatest moments of 2010 as an appendix to the ever-popular top albums of the year lists that have been popping up all over our radars.

First place:
Neil Young (solo) at the Paramount

This might be construed as an easy out for a list-topper, but it was by far the most stupidly amazing few hours I spent in a venue all year. Not only was I among the lucky few that got to hang and shoot from the soundboard, but I also had the privilege of being allowed to watch the set after shooting (sans camera gear) from the third-level mezzanine. It may as well have been a live reel of Young in his prime, for how good he sounded -- without a doubt one of the top ten shows of my life, probably in the history of Ever.

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Last year, Rachel Flotard {Visqueen, Cobirds Unite}visited southern Laos's Ban Na Mouang Village where Rachel's friend, Justin Nonthaveth, has family.  While there, she and her fellow do-gooder friends danced on the newly paved schoolroom floor, installed thanks to funds raised at 2009's FOOTLAOS party.  While there, she also delivered additional new text books, donated soccer balls and any other craft supplies, toothbrushes and such she could stuff in her luggage.

This year, Seattle, let's do it again. Let's gather together to raise funds to make a big difference in the lives of these children by giving their schoolroom walls. Yes, WALLS!

There couldn't be a more fun way to make this magic happen than than to CUT FOOTLAOS this Wednesday, December 1st in Capitol Hill. The event spans two venues allowing for maximum booty shaking:

Sole Repair Shop - 1001 East Pike, Seattle
Starting at 8pm, there will be DJs on hand to get everybody dancing -- as well as drinks and munchable treats.

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Iceland versus Seattle on Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Crocodile. WHO WILL WIN THE EPIC BATTLE? Who will be voted the most precious of all indie rockers between here and Reykjavik?

Akin to the now defunct Band Lottery, the musicians will be teaming up to possibly reinvent old material, but are more likely to create all new jangly and sparkly songs to soothe the (potentially) waterlogged audience. Personally, I am hoping that Sindri Mar Sigfusson (Sin Fang Bous/Seabear) and our own John Roderick are paired up. If you've never heard of Sin Fang Bous, think "The Commander Thinks Aloud" but with micro beats and quieter vocals. (DID YOU JUST GET EXCITED? I DID!!) Rachel Flotard (Visqueen / Cobirds Unite) will also be gracing the stage, possibly in a Bjork-style gown.

If that doesn't peak your interest, how about this: THE EVENT IS FREE!! It is 21+ (sorry kids!) and open until the venue reaches capacity. I hear rumor that Roderick will be sporting a genuine Icelandic-themed sweater! The other Seattle artists that night will be: Rusty Willoughby, Nathan Wade, and Jason Dodson. Lay Low, Petur Ben, and Mugison are rounding out the Icelandic team.

Flotard aptly described the upcoming night of radness, "Without getting too 'We Are the World' over the potential for kindred connection and cultural hilarity, this evening of Seattle/Reykjavik spin-the-bottle makes my heart implode."

Prepare your hearts and get there early. Don't miss a minute.

{Photo of Rachel Flotard by Kirk Stauffer from the Imaginary Flickr Photo Pool}

If you are going to Reykjavik Calling this Friday night at the Crocodile, you are going to see a softer side of Rachel Flotard as she partners up with Rusty Willoughby in their Cobirds Unite collective.  But those who know Flotard from her main band, Visqueen, knows that she has also has a pure pop side that rocks... and it rocks hard.

But who does Rachel look to for inspiration? Here's what she had to say about Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters first album: “There’s nothing like the urgency of the first Foo's record. The ray gun basically shot me in the face, and I’ve always had a spot in my heart for it... plus, any jovial brother that wallops the skins and cranks is good by me.”

You can check out Rachel and Rusty this Friday, and between now and then be sure to check out the rest of Rachel's post on Dave Grohl at Rocktorch.com!

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We don't usually do full on label hype here at Three Imaginary Girls, as we tend to be more artist or song/album focused, but two noteworthy new releases are coming up with stunning shows behind them. And so to massacre a murder of honky-tonking crows with one big blogging, let's dive into the August (live and recorded) Americana mayhem being offered by artists recently signed to up-and-raging local label Spark & Shine:

Rusty Willoughby offers up a dozen superbly written, subtle-emotive lonely journeys on his new album Cobirds Unite. It is probably the best sounding roots-oriented album I have heard in some time, and that means a lot when you have a voice as sweet and true as Willoughby's, backing vocals from Rachel Flotard, cello from Barb Antonio, a bunch of great picking and playing on various instruments by (producer) Johnny Sangster, and Tilman Herb on violin, among others. If you listen to this without ever checking out the CV of the man in charge, you won't necessarily miss anything that's great about it, as these songs seem as crisp and forlorn as any put to post since the glory days of crossover. But Willoughby has earned his solid reputation regionally ever since he fronted Pure Joy in the mid-80s, and proves on the terse and tender "Crown Of Thorns," "Where are The Knives," and the title track on Cobirds Unite that he's not just hustling faux hillbilly hoodoo.

There have been other projects for Willougby in the meantime (for the grunge years, Flop) but like those of us who jumped with The Dils to Rank & File and never minded hearing a Joe Ely bootleg opening for the Clash, a natural born punk is often just a pony boy exiled in the city. There are a lot of people making less fetching racket sort of like this every night in Ballard, but from these songs you can tell the musical workaholic chose this art-form for the ability to marry mature outlook with considered form. Thus when Rusty Willoughby plays with Black Francis on Saturday, August 21 at the Triple Door, both performers should be getting much hollering back.

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{The Lonely Forest photo: Trickshot Photography}

This coming weekend is going to be full of more fun than an swim-up pool bar. Friday night (7/9) we have the blessed reunion of Carissa's Wierd at the Showbox at the Market. If you haven't heard why you must be there, you can sample their song and hear some reasons on our recent Imaginary Mixtape podcast. Or you can just read intricate tales of our long term Carissa's Wierd love affair.

That same Friday night our friends at TBTL are hosting an amazing night of "Imaginary Radio" over at the swanky new Columbia City Theater with performances by Sir Mix A Lot, Rachel Flotard, John Roderick, Ben Huh and others.  It's already sold out, but for those of us that can't make it on Friday, the TBTL-ers have added a Saturday night show (some tickets still available) with an equally stellar lineup: Smoosh, Blue Scholars, The Lonely Forest, Andy Haynes and a couple more surprises!

Of course, one look at the imaginary calendar and you can see a bunch of other possibilities too! Which way are you headed this weekend?

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In November, 2008, our dear Visqueen-er, Rachel Flotard joined her friend Justin on a trip to southern Laos to visit his family. While there, among other adventures, she visited local schools, taking all craft supplies, toothbrushes and the like she could stuff in her luggage. The visit had a huge impact on her and she chronicled the stunning details on her blog.

While at the local elementary school, she asked repeatedly what they would like more than anything for their school (besides a soccer ball), they hesitated, and said, “a floor”. During the rainy season, 340 pairs of these tiny, eager feet get wet while *inside* their classrooms.

To quote Rachel, "This outrages our inner Kevin Bacon."

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There is little bettter than starting the weekend off with some free Flotard.

Tonight {Friday, 9/25} at 7pm, Visqueen will take the Easy Street Records {Queen Anne} stage to share some songs from their fabulous new album, Message to Garcia.   It's all all ages and all free!

See you there!!! Don't forget your eyepatch!

{Thanks for the photo mordac!}

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