Three Imaginary Girls - Head Like A Kite

Recommended Show - Dancing on the Valentine: A Cure for Leukemia {2/9 at Neumos}

Imaginary Amie — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Lesli Wood (of The Redwood Plan) with Jupe Jupe last year at DOTV7.
Photo by: Ben Haley

Every year I tell you guys to get tickets to Jenny George's annual Dancing on the Valentine benefit show, and every year you listen to me, so I figure there's no reason to stop now! As previously mentioned, this year's show theme is A Cure for Leukemia - featuring local bands covering songs by The Cure, with all proceeds from tickets and raffles going to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Jenny drops the grand total off at their door each year on her birthday, and it's truly a thing of joy to watch. Last year we raised a total of $7, 714.83, and this year they're gunning for at least $10,000 with a bigger venue at Neumos, and an online art auction that's will run through the weekend. (PSST: There's still a chance to bid on some amazing pieces and get them for an awesome price!!!).

In addition to the all the kick-ass music, Ben Haley's famous photo booth, tunes by DJ Mike Steve, and Jenny's son Atticus making a special appearance, DOTV has teamed up with Uber to offer 50% off rides to and from the show (just enter code SEADOTV before requesting a car on your Uber app!), and partnered with both KEXP and CityArts Magazine for some much-appreciated support!

Dancing on the Valentine: A Cure for Leukemia is THIS Saturday! Doors at 8pm, tix $15, 21+ at Neumos. Get tickets now at Sonic Boom, or online here. This show has sold out the past 3 years! So DO NOT wait. To entice you further, I've included a breakdown of the bands playing this year after the jump - along with a list of the raffles we're going to bundle up for the. best. raffle. prizes. EVER.

Who's going to join me for some Hot Hot Hot times on Saturday!?!?!

We've got free tickets to Dancing on the Valentine 8!!! {2/9 at Neumos}

Imaginary Amie — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:13:32 +0000

You guys! There are only a few more weeks until Dancing on the Valentine 8: A Cure for Leukemia!

In case you haven't heard of DOTV before (what!), the fabulous Ms. Jenny George, a survivor of Leukemia, decided to start this benefit 8 years ago to give back to the organization that provides support to cancer patients, and is working hard to find a cure. The benefit has grown each year to raise more money for LLS, and this year DOTV is hoping to raise at least $10,000 to beat the hell out of last year's record-breaking $7,000+!

The 2013 show features local bands covering the music of The Cure at Neumos on Saturday, 2/9, with all proceeds from ticket sales and raffles going to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The line-up is FIERCE this year, with Adra Boo, Daniel G. Harmann and The Trouble Starts, Erik Blood, Gibraltar, Head Like a Kite, Hotels, Lesli Wood (of The Redwood Plan) w/Jupe Jupe, NighTrain, Panama Gold, The Grizzeled Mighty, Vox Mod, and interludes by DJ Mike Steve. Plus! Our own Imaginary Dana will be emcee'ing, and Jenny's handsome son Attitcus will be making a special appearance on stage at the beginning of the night to sing some Robert Smith!!!

We've got a pair of tix to giveaway to a lucky winner, so you can spend your donation dollars on raffle tickets instead. Email us at tig {at} threeimaginarygirls {dot} com with the subject line "Lovecats" anytime between now and 5pm Monday 2/4 for a chance to win 'em. We'll notify the winner Tuesday am.

{Dancing on the Valentine presents: A Cure for Leukemia: A Tribute to The Cure benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Sponsored by CityArts, KEXP, and Uber | Saturday, Feb 9 at Neumos | Doors at 8pm | $15 adv, 21+}

Bumbershoot Preview: Head Like a Kite {Monday, 9/5}

Imaginary Amie — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:18:30 +0000

Sometimes I feel like Dave Einmo is the busiest musician in Seattle. I miss running into him on the hill, because in addition to being a kick-ass rocker, he's also a damn fine all-around nice guy. But I digress, Einmo has manned Head Like a Kite for more than a few years now (I'd tell you the exact number of years, but Stoli has clouded my memory and I'm too lazy to use the internet), putting out a variety of eclectic sounds and putting on some hella entertaining live shows. The last album, Dreams Suspend Night, is a mash-up of music genres, with some amazing vocals by Asya Smoosh, plus tracks with Tilson from The Saturday Knights (like "Director's Cut" in the video above)-- and one of my very favorites, Her Space Holiday!

Back to the "busiest musician" thing. A visit to the HLAK web site reveals some sweet cover tunes ("Gimme Shelter!" hellyes), and a free download of some tracks. Dave has teamed up with Asya to form Daydream Vacation, which (based on "The Girl Don't Sleep") is poised to put out some shiny poppy hand-clapping tunes.

I'm really interested to see what he does on the Fisher Green Stage, Monday Sept 5 at 2:15pm. Any guesses on possible special guests? :)

FREE Head Like A Kite show this Thursday, Nov. 18 at Hard Rock Cafe

Chris Estey — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:47:34 +0000

ESPN's Gridiron Concert series has asked Seattle semi-cyborg crash-rock band Head Like A Kite to goose their after-party for the University of Washington versus UCLA game. The FREE bash starts at 8 pm (HLAK starts at 9:30 pm), and would be a good time for indie kids to come downtown to check out the Hard Rock Cafe if they haven't yet. (Some of us are slow getting out of our 'hoods, *cough* finger pointing at my own lazy self.)

Everyone around here knows that the recent world-traveling and still picking up bums for chats on the every rose has its thorn road HLAK -- headed by snake-fingered ring-leader Dave Einmo, humping on the bad-ass beatz of Trent Moorman, fuzzed up by bass and vox from lanky-gregarious Graig Markel and his ever-effervescent wife Zera Marvel, and featuring the fine mug and voice and charms of Tilson! Tilson! Tilson! -- is THE party band. Seeing them do that show at the thing back when reminded me of the last night of the Stiff Records Live! tour mixed with the Hacienda on a night when Lee Harvey Oswald brought in the first batch of "rum" raisin cookies. (Ref.: Free KEXP-sponsored Concert at the Mural Amphitheatre at Seattle Center, just this past summer, damn it's football season already!)

This weekend's picks for City Arts Fest, version 1.0

imaginary victoria — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:19:44 +0000

Now that summer's officially 86'd, it's time for the inaugural (hereafter annual?) City Arts Fest, which takes over our fair city this upcoming Wednesday - Saturday {Oct. 20th - 23rd}. Laden with an impressive lineup at venues far and wide, CAF is catering to more of the mini-SXSW feel that makes these 'festivals' enjoyable -- think along the lines of MusicFest NW's style -- and for this, we applaud and squee! with joy. There's something about cramming too many people into too small of a space, even with a homerun lineup, that can make a gathering of the proverbial vibes inherently less fun.

And so -- with sneakers laced up and schedules in hand -- away we go with the music! Click the links below for more info on each particular show, including the where & what on how to get yourself some tickets:

Win tickets to see Head Like A Kite at Neumos {album release show} on May 21

Chris Estey — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:47:09 +0000

Seattle soul-rock noir band Head Like A Kite has a new album called Dreams Suspend Night out at iTunes starting this week, but CDs will be in stores on May 18. Hyperactive and smoldering full-screen cinema bomp including guests from Boom Bip to members of The Long Winters, Smoosh to Swervedriver, and Tilson, ex-The Saturday Knights. The latter also stars in their new video for new single "We're Always On The Wrong Side Of Sunrise":

The official HLAK CD release party is on Friday, May 21 at Neumos, with DAEDELUS and Thee Emergency, and DJ Terry Radshaw spinning between live music performances. For Head Like A Kite's set, expect Tilson, P. Smoov, members of Animals at Night and Zera Marvel, among others!

And we'd like to give you a pair of tickets to join us at the album release show! To enter, email tig @ threeimaginarygirls.com sometime before 9am on Tuesday, May 18 with the subject "HeadLikeATicket".

Weekend plans to dance your funny valentine off?

imaginary liz — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:20:42 +0000

{Amazing Lesli Wood / Redwood Plan photo by Jason Tang from the TIG Flickr Photo Pool}

The weekend is nearly upon us... what are you most looking forward to?

On Friday night, Lesli Wood and the Redwood Plan kicking arse at the Comet with Dept of Energy headlining? Fresh Espresso (with a name like that you know they know how to work a Seattle crowd) with Truckasaurus and Head Like a Kite?

Saturday night we have to make sure you get your booty, whether it's broken hearted or already full of gue, to the Crocodile for the Dancing on the Valentine bash. It's an annual tradition and the *perfect* way to celebrate all the loves of your life and help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This years theme is all David Bowie all night. Dress up and dance your ___ off. What song do you want to hear covered?

Grudge Rock: Head Like A Kite Vs. BOAT (Part 3 of 3)

Chris Estey — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:51:58 +0000

Here we are with Round Three of our interviews with all the main players (or at least their spokesmen) for this Saturday night's GRUDGE ROCK, which commences this at 10 PM, January 16 2010, at The Crocodile! For a little more background, check out Parts One and Two of this series. We've chatted with MC Jake Stratton and D. Crane of BOAT. Below is a Q&A with Dave Einmo of Head Like A Kite.

What grudges will you be rocking at this event? In other words, WHAT ARE YOU BRINGING TO IT?!

We’ll be bringing a fog machine, a box full of Styrofoam heads for audience members to chuck around like beach balls, a Panda, balloons and confetti, and a boat load of high-energy beat-fueled songs to blast off into the evening. Hopefully, we’ll also have some correct answers for the Grudge Rock match, too.

Why do you think you can stomp BOAT's ass?

Muhammad Ali used to always talk trash about his opponents. It gave him an edge and a confidence that was both charismatic and frightening. Last month, I was talking trash and getting all “ fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” I was saying, “BOAT cannot match the mental prowess of Head Like a Kite. We’ve got a Panda Bear that recites The Merry Wives of Windsor and Trent can spin seat cushions with one finger. Prepare yourselves for the consolation prize and fill our fog machine with your tears.” But then today in my microbiology class I spilled a test tube full of E.coli inside the incubator and contaminated all my classmates’ projects. What kind of fool does that? All this thinking is messing with my game.

What kind of training have you been doing for this?

I’ve been studying for three weeks and checking my answers with a Magic 8 Ball. “Outlook not so good.” But I’m still confident we’ll prevail as the titans of Grudge Rock. We’re like Godzilla. We can’t be stopped. Godzilla with E.coli!

That's gross! What do you think of GRUDGE ROCK?

Grudge Rock is great. I love the idea of combining diverse elements to create something more interesting than just another rock show. Jake Stratton (BloodHag vocalist and The Rat City RollerGirls announcer) has done a great job with that. He’s merged a Family Feud style game-show format with rock bands, and it created this crazy night of mayhem full of unexpected surprises because the bands, the audience, and the host are all interacting. It’s going to be really fun. We’ll be working that buzzer hard. Hitting it like an MPC.

What's up with HLAK otherwise? New album any time soon? Current downloads?

We have a new full-length Head Like a Kite album coming out this Spring, which I’m really excited about. Tons of guests: Boom Bip, Her Space Holiday, a few of the Long Winters, Adam Franklin of Swervedriver, Asy of Smoosh, Graig Markel of Animals at Night, and several more guests on the new album. I think it is Head Like a Kite’s biggest party record yet.

We’re also working on a bunch of videos, too. The first one just came out for a new song called “Director’s Cut,” which features Tilson of the Saturday Knights, and was directed by photography stud Chase Jarvis. We’re really happy with how it. Check it out:

We recorded “Director’s Cut” for the GIVE Seattle compilation, which also features tracks by Ben Gibbard, Fleet Foxes, Long Winters, Mad Rad, Cave Singers, Fresh Espresso, Visqueen, and lots of other great Seattle bands. All the the proceeds go directly to Arts Corps and Seattle neighborhood Food Banks. People can get the compilation at http://giveseattle.org.

I’m excited about the future!

{Photo by Dan Tyler.}

Grudge Rock: Head Like A Kite Vs. BOAT (Part 2 of 3)

Chris Estey — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:55:00 +0000

This Saturday night, January 16, 2010, the Series Two, Episode One of live Family Feud style trivia and music blow-out GRUDGE ROCK commences! This time with indie rock romance Gorgeous Georges BOAT taking on the more Rowdy Roddy Piperish tech-soul rockers Head Like A Kite! Girls will scream! Boys will faint! The winner gets the Door Money and there are plenty of Consolation Prizes! And two sets by two great Seattle bands live on stage at the Crocodile. (Be there before 10 PM, because it goes on on time!)

I interviewed MC Jake Stratton in the first part of this three-chunk series covering The Event, and now comes a little chat with D. Crane of the pretty boys with the big batch of fans, the ever-loving BOAT.

What grudges will you be rocking at this event? In other words: WHAT ARE YOU BRINGING TO IT?!

We are relatively grudge free at the moment...and there is a bit of fear that this may hurt us in the event. Ah, wait! I do have a grudge! I am upset at my neighbors for their lack of attention to their dog, who gets left all day in the backyard. Even in the rain and cold! I will channel this anger/disappointment into our battle with HLAK.

Why do you think you can beat the guys in Head Like A Kite specifically?

They have two guys....we have five. We should have more combined brain power. We also have band practice space rent due soon, so brain power coupled with desperation for money. I am a little fearful because I bet they have more testosterone. They have already bragged that they will bring nudity to the event. So, I think "shirts off" BOAT is totally possible. We will not be reduced to a "pants off" situation of any kind.

Since HLAK is a more trippy, "experimental band," we may have more brain cells than them. But actually, I have read some Trent Moorman stuff, and he seems like he knows how to turn a phrase. We may have to somehow "spike" his beer with tranquilizers.

What kind of training have you been doing for this?

Mostly strength training, some light video games. I personally have a Rock and Roll Encyclopedia in my bathroom at home.

What do you think of GRUDGE ROCK? Will it make you proud to stomp ass there?

I am a big fan of anything that tries to recreate game shows. It is a dream to be on Family Feud with BOAT, so this is pretty close to the dream. Pretty close. The new Crocodile is as nice as a sound studio in LA.

I am not a big user of "ass stomping" as a verb. But if we win I will try to use it more frequently.

Have you ever been to one before?

An ass stomping? I am a longtime fan.

What's up with BOAT otherwise? New album any time soon? Current downloads/videos/doodads?

We are working on a new EP. The songs are super loud love songs. I guarantee they will be more fuzzy and distorted than ever before! We are also putting the finishing touches on a stop motion video for "100 Calorie Man" off of our last LP. I am trying to arrange an ass stomp (tour for the Spring/early summer) as well. We will attempt to play some popfests.

Grudge Rock: Head Like A Kite Vs. BOAT (Part 1 of 3)

Chris Estey — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:22:21 +0000

Grudge Rock, created by the brilliant ringleader Jake Stratton, leader of beloved first-ever sci-fi/hardcore band BloodHag), is styled as a 70s game show (Family Feud format) with bands playing and competing against each other. The winning band gets all the door money, but there are fabulous consolation prizes and more.

The show this Saturday, January 16 is GRUDGE ROCK SEASON TWO - EPISODE ONE, and it will be "party-inspired electronic rock music vs. indie pop" with fan favorites Head Like A Kite and BOAT.

This will be the first time the event is hosted at The Crocodile, as it has been running successfully at the Re-Bar and now needs bigger digs. The first WWF-styled boast was sent out by HLAK: "OPEN LETTER TO BOAT: You guys are toast. You can’t match the mental prowess of Head Like a Kite. We’ve got a panda bear that recites “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and Trent can spin seat cushions with one finger. Prepare yourselves for the consolation prize."

Just look at who is sponsoring the show: Pabst Blue Ribbon, Jameson Whiskey, Scarecrow Video, Fantagraphics Books, Pierced Hearts Tattoo & Piercing, Singles Going Steady, Trading Musician, Hardware Salon, Snoose Junction Part Dieu and Verellen Amplifiers. It's $10 (over 21, sorry), with 9 PM and the show starting exactly at 10 PM.

Here's our interview Mr. Stratton about the history of Grudge Rock, to be followed by interviews with both BOAT and Head Like A Kite.

Who came up with this insanity?

Grudge Rock was my idea, based in my love for the original Family Feud and Richard Dawson. I was watching the show one day and thinking about how if I was ever on the show, I wouldn't bring my family members, I'd bring a lot of my knowledgable bandmates. That got me to thinking that the five member sides of Family Feud had about the same amount of members as the average band, and that gave me the idea for Grudge Rock. I sat on the idea for about two years before trying it, because I thought that I'd have to build a big game board and all that. Jackson Lowe, the booker for the Re-Bar told me that he had a flash program for a Family Feud game on his computer and that all we'd have to do is run it through the video projector. That did it, and I started booking bands right away. Jackson helped me run the show for the first year at the Re-Bar. He created the video intro for us, and ran the board during the show.

For those who haven't been to one yet, I am enraged with shame to admit. What can I expect? Do the bands play? Do they play together sometimes? Is there audience participation at all?

The game show is essentially Family Feud, only ALL the questions are music related (whereas the TV FF almost never does music questions). I come up with the survey questions (with suggestions from anybody who wants to help) and send them out to our "elite 100" survey takers made up of music fans, musicians (both famous and otherwise), producers, and other music personalites and I collect the answers at put it all together. We play the game show in two halves. We play the first half, and whoever is in the lead at the end of the half chooses whether they want to play right then or at the end of the night. Then a band plays, then we play the second half. Whoever gets the most points is the winner. At the end we give an envelope for All The Door Money to the winner and give the loser Fabulous Consolation Prizes (provided by our sponsors).

This is a pretty unique presentation, isn't it? I haven't heard about anything like this in other cities.

As far as I know I'm the only one doing this live-music-focused game show night. Although the FF program is a free download anybody can use, and running a Family Feud game is a not uncommon party game at corporate events. I do own the name Grudge Rock though.

How do you choose the bands, if you can reveal it?

I started with bands I know well from my years playing with BloodHag. I confirm one band, then ask them who they'd like to take on. They usually pick bands that they're friends with and we have a good game with good friendly rivalry. In general I try to pick two bands that play a similar style, but my only rule is: every type of music is welcome. I don't want the night to become associated with one particular "scene" or another. I feel like there's too many cliques and seperation in Seattle music right now.

Why HLAK Vs. Boat?

Head Like A Kite vs. BOAT was a coup orchestrated by Crocodile booker Eli Anderson, and I'm very excited that he was able to get them. I've done all the booking for the show since the beginning, as doing ALL the promotion, designing, printing and hanging all the flyers, paying for everything out of pocket, etc.

So, when I decided to try to move Grudge Rock from Re-Bar to a larger venue, one of the criteria was whether they were able to help me book bands and do promo, so I didn't have to break my back constantly. Eli is willing to lend his black book and expertise to help me out with booking, as it's in his best interest to fill the club, and thus The Croc is Grudge Rock's new home!

Who have previously won Grudge Rocks?

The Girls, Helms Alee, They Live!, The Pranks, A Gun That Shoots Knives, The Abodox, and many more!

Go to the GR Hall Of Fame for the complete list.

Any wild outcomes not expected in performance or audience reaction?

Our two biggest shows for attendance have been Akimbo vs. Helms Alee and Mad Rad vs. They Live!. Mad Rad vs. They Live was probably the most energetic show, those crazy rappers jump around when they win, and they crawl in agony when they lose. Pure drama! The Valkyries vs Neon Nights was probably the most drunken of train wrecks, and also the one that came closest to actually being a feud. That's a long story that i don't have the strength to relate right now. It's been a cool, unique experience because i've gotten to see bands out of their element, out from behind their instruments and gotten to know which bands are down-to-earth people with a sense of humor, and which bands are spoiled prima donna sore losers. Fortunately, most are the former, not the latter. If you ask me real nice some day I'll tell you who's who.

The drinks are on me for that, Jake! Meanwhile, where do you see this going, that you can say?

Moving to a larger venue is part of my plan of forced growth. I'd rather not talk to much more about it, I'm one of those people who thinks that if you say something out loud you can jinx it. Let me just say that i'm not gonna stop until I take this as large as possible.

Who the hell is Jake Stratton, for those who don't know (and skipped the above)?

Jake Stratton, singer (don't call me leader, the other guys'll get uptight) of BloodHag, announcer for The Rat City Rollergirls and SSP Wrestling, host and co-creator of World Extreme Pencil Fighting Championships, also I'll come up with some other crazy ideas soon, just give me money, manpower and time.

Being the frontman for BloodHag for almost fifteen years has given me the comfort in public speaking to allow me to be a game show host and a sports announcer. My and BloodHag's love for literature has had more impact on every OTHER aspect of my life.

Any last announcements before we bring the boys out for a chat in our next two installments?

Starting in February we get our regular night: the third Thursday of every month, only at The Crocodile!

For more info and FF schedule, www.grudgerock.com is coming soon! Find out how you can be part of the survey! And follow us on Facebook!

The show this Saturday, January 16 is GRUDGE ROCK SEASON TWO - EPISODE ONE, and it will be "party-inspired electronic rock music vs. indie pop" with fan favorites Head Like A Kite and BOAT.

Here's our interview Mr. Stratton about the history of Grudge Rock, to be followed by interviews with both BOAT and Head Like A Kite.

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:

Favorite Bumbershoot photos by Jason Tang

Jason Tang — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:37:25 +0000

I asked both brilliant and talented photographers Erik Clineschmidt and Jason Tang to list their five favorite Bumbershoot photos. Jason offered these as his favorites. - ChrisB.

Head Like a Kite:

"I almost didn't go to this one because Metric was playing 15 minutes after [their set began]. I'm so glad I did, even if it was for one song!"

Carly Nicklaus of USE:

"They totally killed it! So much energy and a lot of fun to shoot."

Janelle Monae:

"Karma, I tell you. [When security stopped] letting anyone else in to the Metric KEXP lounge show, I figured I might as well kill some time and catch Janelle at the Fisher Green Stage. Boy, was I in for a big surprise!"

Tonight at the Crocodile: Mad Rad's beardless era begins

ChrisB — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:51:45 +0000

Yesterday, I wrote about what I was sure would be an epic event: The Beard/Off at the Funhouse between Sir Thomas Gray of Champagne Champagne and Terry Radjaw of Mad Rad. By all accounts (my Twitter feed went crazy last night), it was a great game. Line Out has the most detailed recap I've read yet.

Tonight, Mad Rad is playing their first show with a beardless Radjaw. The press release that went out this morning said:

Our pals in Head Like A Kite are murdering it lately, gaining all sorts of much-deserved praise and attention. The boys in Dyme Def will be returning to the stage, and we are still loving that EP they released a little while back. And, Mad Rad? Forget about it, we’ve got some big Northwest history taking place with them this August 14.

Bumbershoot preview: Head Like a Kite

ChrisB — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:11:20 +0000

Head Like a Kite has long been an imaginarily favorite band, especially live. The duo of frontman Dave Einmo and drummer Trent Moorman are two musicians who understand music inside and out. Listening to HLAK is a joy because they are often experimenting with textures or different instruments while still going ahead and rocking. There are so many different ideas bursting out of a HLAK song, but Einmo and Moorman still hold it together and make it sound cohesive.

The last record, There is Loud Laughter Everywhere, was reviewed here by my friend Chris Estey, who raved:

The sophomore release from Head Like A Kite sounds like a mix-tape of rare, alternate twelve inch versions of radio smashes from a DJ who has collected a library of great music you somehow never heard before. As HLAK frontman Dave Einmo himself claims, "I wanted to create a record that sounded like big beat remixes of songs that didn't yet exist."

Photo of the day: Head Like A Kite in-studio fun

imaginary liz — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:00:59 +0000

Last Thursday, Head Like A Kite had an open house of sorts at London Bridge Studio and invited some friends and imaginaries to come be part of the recording process. Of course we couldn't resist the invite and Jeanine Anderson was on hand to take some shots of the fun.

Nice knobs and of course the requisite elf hat!

Head Like a Kite to entertain your eyes and ears

imaginary sher — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:00:43 +0000

Head Like a Kite - one of my absolute favorite local bands - will be projecting a brand new feature, "We're So Entangled", behind them on stage Friday night (April 10th) as they rock the Crocodile with their unique blend of pretty pop melodies and electronic beats. The film, based on the song title of the same name from their recent full length, There is Loud Laughter Everywhere, is rumored to feature two Barbie Dolls and a burning dollhouse.

Superb Sleepy Eyes of Death CD release show @ Neumos

Amelia Gydé — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:23:25 +0000

17 Jan 2009

seodcover.jpg

Saturday night at Neumos is a perfect example of why I live in Seattle. I love the city, our weather, the people… but I love our music most of all and all three bands that took the stage made me feel lucky to be here.

First up was Loving Thunder, an intense rumbly two-person band that started the night right, warming up the crowd and the venue.

Favorites Head Like a Kite were next, and as I watched Dave Einmo, I realized I have no idea how he creates their sound (beyond his precise guitar handling) and couldn’t match his synthed efforts to what I was hearing, so I gave up and enjoyed the great music. Guest singers Graig Markel, Zera Marvel and Barbara Trentalange joined HLAK onstage, as did Tilson of The Saturday Knights. HLAK’s set was over before I was ready – I pouted briefly before excitement took over. Sleepy Eyes of Death were preparing the stage.

As the opening notes to “Crushed By Stars” bled onto the foggy stage, a huge grin spread across my face. I knew at once this show was going to be different. I’d seen Sleepy Eyes live four times and had listened to Dark Signals for a week, setting the songs solidly. It’s easy to get lost in atmosphere at SEoD shows and I did, until that first song ended and the crowd all around me burst into cheers and applause, reminding me they were there.

Sleepy Eyes has stepped up their show, not just the lights and badass fog assault, but the music too. Familiarity certainly helps, but all elements seemed to align on Saturday. I realized their fog is not just a visual aid; it’s an ingredient to their overall recipe. The incredible music, the lights, the fog… all for the first time hit me as they should – perfectly balanced, cohesive and complete. Sleepy Eyes managed to turn invisible music into something nearly tangible that hit all the senses.

Every song from Sleepy Eyes’ powerful new EP Dark Signals materialized, as did four others. Near the end of their set, someone onstage (I couldn’t see who) asked if we wanted less fog or more fog. The photographer in me immediately yelled back, “Less Fog!” (I couldn’t see, much less photograph them for much of the set) but everyone else drowned me out, yelling for more. The fan in me agreed and cheered with the rest as a fresh stream of fog flowed over the stage and Sleepy Eyes finished their remarkable set.

Sleepy Eyes has stepped up their show, not just the lights and badass fog assault, but the music too.

Sleepy Eyes of Death CD release party show this Saturday at Neumos

Amelia Gydé — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:38:17 +0000

By my standards, Sleepy Eyes of Death is one of the best bands in Seattle. They are incredibly fun to photograph and their music tops anything I can capture with a camera.

Their CD release show for Dark Signals is this Saturday and I for one am counting on an extraordinary night. Come to Neumos for Sleepy Eyes - their incredible live shows are not to be missed, but don't skip a second of openers Loving Thunder and Head Like a Kite.

Transmissionary Six to play last show this Friday

Chris Estey — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:48:45 +0000

Friday night will be a bit more special, and psychedelic than usual, as members of Head Like A Kite, Animals At Night, and Disinterested will be joining the TM6 to make it a noisy as hell exit for this stage of Terri and Paul's musical career.

Photo Essay: The Ultimate Party Show - Head Like a Kite and Truckasauras at Neumos

Amelia Gydé — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:06:57 +0000

22 Nov 2008

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Truckasauras is like no electronic group I've seen -- they sound more like a really great rock band filtered through old techno equipment. In smaller venues, their songs' subtle nuances may be easier distinguished, but I prefer the chest-rattling thump that Neumos' sound system allows.

Stand near the stage and you’ll see Truckasauras constantly tweak and adjust endless buttons and dials, reaching over each other to perfect their sound, which to me on Saturday sounded perfect already. Their tight and driven set flowed easily and thumped mightily. Trent Moorman joined Truckasauras for their last song, adding drums and energy that made for a splashy end to a raucous set.

To some, Truckasauras shows don't visually match their output, but I find them fascinating musicians. The video that accompanies their live shows is entertaining and hysterical in its own right, but I stopped watching -- I was distracted by the band.

To say Head Like a Kite had fun onstage Saturday night is an understatement, and their energy was infectious. Back home after a quick tour where they were filmed for upcoming episodes of On The Brink, they seemed more than ready to play to the Truckasauras-warmed audience that filled Neumos.

The stripped-down version of HLAK I saw just a few weeks ago in Portland was gone - Dave and Trent were joined onstage by Tilson of the Saturday Knights, Graig Markel, Zera Marvel, Sindi Sarah, a group of human-sized fuzzy creatures, a dancer or two, a few costumed videographers and an interesting fan with a yarn Eeyore-type tail hanging in his face. This much spectacle could easily overshadow the average band’s music or bog down the average show, but Head Like a Kite has the unusual ability to expand to fit any circumstance and remained the center of attention.

My favorite song of the night was "Letting It Go on The Ohio Turnpike" from There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere which was remixed live and buoyed by Tilson's slick vocals. Other gems included "Six Bags of Confetti" and "We Were So Entangled". HLAK shows are fast-paced and it was over far too soon.

Did I mention this show was free? Free shows tend to draw fun audiences anyway, but the lineup, which also included Slender Means, guaranteed a happy crowd. All this and the glitter confetti mother lode made for a celebration that any of us who attended will remember for weeks to come.

This much spectacle could easily overshadow the average band’s music or bog down the average show, but HLaK has the unusual ability to expand to fit any circumstance. This much spectacle could easily overshadow the average band’s music, but HLaK has the ability to expand to fit any circumstance.