Three Imaginary Girls - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

Imaginary Mixtape {July 2010}: Summer love's in the air, we're gonna make it ours

imaginary liz — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:44:50 +0000

This month's imaginary mixtape features a slew of Seattle finest who are taking to the clubs {and some even reuniting!} during the next few weeks, but kicks off with a perfect summertime song by a band that we wish was coming to town.

You can listen to a stream or download the MP3 version of the podcast on the imaginary bandcamp page.

If you are the type that likes to listen to podcasts in itunes, download the .m4a here {with fancy chapters even!} and then open it in your itunes {Thanks to Jigsaw Records for hosting it!}.

Tracklisting: Imaginary Mixtape - July 2010:

NPSH replacing Ida Maria on the [redacted] tour; playing Showbox next Monday

ChrisB — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:52:10 +0000

It's been a tough go for the tour put together by [redacted] (a figure so loathesome I'm not going to mention his name here, although last time I did, I wrote approvingly of violence against him): it's been plagued by low ticket sales and one of the headliners, the insanely talented Norwegian pop star Ida Maria, dropped off the tour after a meltdown on-stage last week in Boston. There are two silver linings here: the first is that the lineup for this tour, which includes a stop next Monday (September 28) at the Showbox at the Market, still has a great lineup with Ladyhawke and glam rockers Semi Precious Weapons; the second is that Ida Maria is being replaced by Natalie Portman's Shaved Head for the remainder of the tour, which began for them last Friday in Chicago.

Bumbershoot preview: Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

Chelsea Werner — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:54:27 +0000

If you are looking to dance on Fischer Green during Bumbershoot, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head will deliver the beat to get you moving your feet. Their electro thrash has been garnering them attention since their debut show at the opening of 826 Seattle in 2004. Last year they released their first full-length album, Glistening Pleasure, and they have recently wrapped up a tour with Lily Allen. They mix together MGMT dance hooks with Le Tigre tongue-in-check lyrics and melodies that make them widely appealing.

These kids are not messing around and you should return the favor by checking them out because they don’t fail to deliver a good time singing songs about facial hair to a bunch of kids with facial hair. Heck, even if their flair for combining sing-along harmonies with hand claps and Technicolor keyboards layered over each other till you go cross-eyed, doesn’t appeal to you, it will still be a spectacle worth watching. See them Saturday at 2:30 on Fischer Green during Bumbershoot or see below, if you don't believe me.

(Photo by Stefan Moore from myspace.com/natalieportmansshavedhead)

Tonight's recommended show: Lily Allen and Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

ChrisB — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:58:20 +0000

Lily Allen plays at the Showbox Sodo with Natalie Portman's Shaved Head tonight.

First acts confirmed for Bumbershoot

ChrisB — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:37:30 +0000

I doubt this is an April Fool's joke so I'll put it out there, Bumbershoot announced the first list of acts to play this year. There are certainly some that I'm really excited to see (some again) and others I'll pass on.

I know there'll be a lot of people bitching about Katy Perry but remember that booking her sells tickets that pay for other acts and you can choose to do something else while she plays.

Here's the roster so far:

Sheryl Crow / Modest Mouse / Katy Perry / Michael Franti & Spearhead / De La Soul / Raphael Saadiq / Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan / The Long Winters / Sly & Robbie & the Taxi Gang / World Party / MSTRKRFT / Roy Ayers / Common Market / UH HUH HER / Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women / Eric Hutchinson / No Age / Matt & Kim / Dead Confederate / The Cave Singers / Swollen Members / Vieux Farka Touré / Lenka / Gang Gang Dance / Todd Snider / Holy F**k / DJ Spooky / Iglu & Hartly / Low vs Diamond / Sera Cahoone / Eleni Mandell / Carrie Rodriguez / The Honey Brothers / Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head / Extra Golden / Cordero / Forgive Durden / Hey Marseilles / Adrian Xavier, and much, much more to be announced.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head playing at Vera tonight

ChrisB — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:40:28 +0000

Tonight Natalie Portman's Shaved Head plays a benefit for The Vera Project at The Vera Project.

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.

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.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head to play CMJ, tour with the Faint

imaginary dana — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:33:12 +0000

Seattle-based post-teenage electro-pop sensations Natalie Portman's Shaved Head have just announced a mini-tour with none other than Saddle Creek Records' band the Faint.

Best photos of the Block Party 2008

three imaginary girls — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:30:53 +0000

We're still reeling from the rock and roll madness that was the Capitoll Hill Block Party this weekend. We have so many great words and photos from all the great shows, which you can read here.

We've pulled out a few of our favorite photos for a quick view of the amazing weekend.

Here are the best of the best, so far, after the jump. Which are your favorites?

Flickr photo of the day: Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

imaginary dana — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:47:14 +0000

This shot of Natalie Portman's Shaved Head by Kyle Johnson gives me shivers, it's so good.

Natalie Portmans Shaved Head record release in-store -- tonight!

Jflores — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:07:59 +0000

Easy Street Records is proud to host Natalie Portmans Shaved Head at the Queen Anne location tonight at 8p!

Best of 2008: it's half-yearly check-in time

three imaginary girls — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:45:01 +0000

As of today, we're officially in the second half of 2008. Welcome! To gear you up for another fabulous six months of local Northwest releases, we here at imaginary headquarters have brainstormed an imaginary mix for all of you, containing some of our favorite songs by Northwest artists released this year to date thus far.

No promises that each of these will make our Best of 2008 Reader's Poll final list, but at least this way you have the next six months to follow-up and listen to these releases before you have to decide. To paraphrase imaginary ChrisB, we feel like this list is pretty unfuckwithable. But that doesn't mean that we didn't inadvertently overlook something great. If you have additions for our list, please chime in with your comments below.

NPSH, Copy, and New Faces at the Vera

imaginary chona — Wed, 14 May 2008 04:50:37 +0000

10 May 2008

NPSH08may.jpg

Many moons ago (actually late last summer during a magical, whimsical time called Bumbershoot) an expecting Imaginary Dana, Ed, and I stood inside the EMP Skychurch eagerly anticipating the entrance of local unsigned act Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head. Having already been introduced to their live show earlier in the summer at Capitol Hill Block Party, we dutifully planted our feet and gleefully took in the fringe and spandex spectacle. Dana likened their sound to that of the B-52’s and danced like only a pregnant granola-toting music buff could. Months later, the band still hasn’t lost its charm. The Vera crowd Saturday night was surprisingly young (I think I’m getting too old for my 19-year-old self) and impressively patient (I think I was just too cold) as they stood in the snaking line that encompassed the venue.

Sound Off victors New Faces opened up the stage for the night with bassist Kyle Hove busting his bass string before the end of the first song, prompting guitarist/vox Nico Jahnsenn and drummer Conor Sysk to launch into another song while an adequate replacement was scouted. Seeing their live show, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for all the 1990’s bands I never saw live. Their sound incorporates several aspects of several ages of music. New Faces ended their set with a song sounding very much like an homage to the central riff in Hendrix’s "Purple Haze."

Having already opened for acts such as the Shackletons, I’m saying again what I said before: Be ready for these guys, they’re going to be all over the radar. New Faces are already slated to play at Capitol Hill Block Party and Bumbershoot this summer. With an EP out and full-length on the way in June, I foresee a future brighter than neon windbreakers.

Copy, a one-man act based in Portland, took the stage next. With nord keytar in hand, he took the young crowd through threads of well constructed beats and keytar riffs, offering an all around good time. “Man you are awesome!” an ecstatic kid to my right called, cuing a gracious grin from mix mastermind Marius Libman. Well received by the audience, Marius disassembled his gear at 30 minutes end while chatting with enthused fans in the front row.

A then fling told me that he would shield from the “crazy moshers” and held his word, as I repeatedly evaded the arms of several ensuing fist thrusters and dancing kick boxers last summer when we caught Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head- a band we “absolutely could not miss”. A kind sentiment on his part, I definitely felt for the girls being smashed into the DJ’s turntable area (at one point myself), as his macbook nearly crashed off the table along with a load of mixing gear. True story: Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head have a ridiculously bubbly (and possibly repressed?) local fan base.

Favorites from “Beard Lust” to “Sideways Ponytail” were all performed, much to the crowd’s delight. Always a treat to encounter, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head brought out the dancer in everyone. Claire England performed a lovely (and surprisingly really, really good) rendition of “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child for the set’s encore. NPSH, like New Faces, competed in 2007’s EMP Soundoff. There’s no denying that the competition served as a bouncy springboard into the public eye. NPSH have already had the honor to open for Brazilian breakout band CSS. I can’t wait to see what’s next for these guys.

True story: Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head have a ridiculously bubbly (and possibly repressed?) local fan base.

Top 50 Imaginary keywords this month

imaginary dana — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:10:25 +0000

For the keyword curious, here's the full top 50 ways folks found TIG in Google last month.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head: So Hot...

Eddie B — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:05:22 +0000

13 Oct 2007

NPSH07oct.jpg

...the Fire Department showed up!

After waking up at 7am the morning of this show, commuting from Federal Way to Bothell and the back to Seattle, and then taking over 30 minutes to find a parking spot, I was in a bitchy mood and didn’t think I was going to enjoy it. Luckily Natalie Portman's Shaved Head rocked my pants off.

I doubt the Vera has seen such a turn out (except for Band of Horses). As I waited in the front with some fellow show goers, I see the rad set up for Seattle band Sleepy Eyes of Death. From fog machines to their own light technician, it was BAD ass... but little did we know it’d turn into a PAIN in the ass. The lights dimmed, the youthful crowd gathered, and the band appeared with a cloud of fog and lights flashing. Before they even introduced themselves, the fire alarm went off. Everyone was confused as to whether or not we leave or just wait. Apparently, the fog machine set off the alarm and everyone had to be evacuated and wait for the fire department to complete an inspection. Can’t say in my experiences of going to shows that has something like that happened! At least one of the firemen wasn’t bad looking.

Finally after the inspection was complete, everyone let back in, and after a recheck of the equipment, the show began. Their set consisted of two songs and giggling kiddos. I’d say even though I only got to listen to two songs, they were pretty good, somewhat Daft Punk without the euro hotness. Still, some hotness involved.

Wesafari had some serious act to follow. The firetruck rocked the Vera! I really enjoyed their mellow yet electro feeling. And the name is freaking awesome!

And then, ahhh Natalie Portman's Shaved Head! Their performances get more and more complex every time I see them. The hollering started as soon as the capped crusaders stepped on stage.

You know it’s a captivating show when the photographer runs out of memory card space trying to capture all the amazing moments. From hip breaking beats (or at least bruising... I felt it the next day) to their colorful hip, fringe accented outfits, I haven’t seen such a young band rock out so furiously all throughout their set. The show was the epitome of a dance club (but without the chicken hawks and prostitutes). NPSH pranced around with sexy beats, and the crowd jumped and waved their hands, hoping to meet their level of excitement.

Unfortunately this is the band's final performance for a few months. But! A new album has been promised. Like their outfits, they have a bright future, and I for one can't wait to greet it.

NPSH: So hot the fire department showed up! The show was the epitome of a dance club (but without the chicken hawks and prostitutes).

One more photo of the moment: NPSH

imaginary dana — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:38:25 +0000

Expect a full photo essay from the Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, coming soon from photographer Eduardo Brambila....

Bumbershoot 2007: Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

imaginary dana — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:47:41 +0000

2 Sep 2007

bshootNPSH07sep.jpg

I arrived for Day 2 of Bumbershoot 2007 eager to catch my first scheduled act of the day: Seattle's own Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, a five-piece band I sadly missed (but ChrisB caught) at Capitol Hill Block Party. The band were also the ~~winners~~ first runners-up at this year's illustrious EMP's Sound Off, an all-ages battle of the bands competition that has spawned some of Seattle's best bands over the years (Schoolyard Heroes, the Lonely H, Idiot Pilot, and the late-great Mon Frere, to name just a few). They've been on my must-see radar awhile, so I made sure I got to Bumbershoot on time for their noontime performance. And oh my. What a performance it was!

I can't believe it took me so long to go see them play.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head epitomizes everything that is youthful, exciting, and fun about music. Their effervescent electro-pop songs positively electrified the full house at the Sky Church with a buoyant energy that made them a pure joy to watch (and listen to).

They reminded me equal parts of United State of Electronica meets early B-52s (co-vocalist Claire England certainly contributed to this thought) meets the Osmond family (okay, my pal Martin suggested that last one, but I think the comparison is apt, in a weird way). And most of the dancing jubilant fans dancing along were younger than the band members -- I'd have placed the average age as too young to drive. This gives me hope for the future. Natalie Portman's Shaved Head is what kids and teenagers *should* be listening to, versus the Hannah Montana Disney-pumped crap and the tarted up Fergie supa-crap Bumbershoot was serving up later that night (aside: NPSH professed their love for Fergie, so my apologies to them for slamming her in their review. Though they also said they used to live across the street from her and stare in her window, which I'm pretty sure isn't true... so who knows?)

But don't think the musical ability of the band members suffer for their youth, replacing actual musical ability with enthusiasm. No way. They had the musical chops to substantiate every bit of their mirth. Their songs were well-crafted, the band had great live instrumentation (keys, guitar, and drums) that augmented the electronic beats, and all their vocal harmonies were spot on, making their repertoire of (all original, I think) songs really robust -- I'd even say, mature beyond their years. That is, mature in a giddy, shake-yer-ass-onstage and bop along sort of way... which is, um, my favorite sort of maturity.

And did I mention the outfits? The band sported fantastic matching duds: white jeans, white baseball sleeved shirts with different color arms on each performer, and (the best part) contrasting colored FRINGE under the sleeves.

All in all, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head was one of my favorite Bumbershoot 2007 moments, and definitely was my favorite pleasant surprise.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head epitomizes everything that is youthful, exciting, and fun about music. Their effervescent electro-pop songs positively electrified the full house at the Sky Church with a bouyant energy that made them a pure joy to watch (and listen to).

Bumbershoot Day 2, three photo recap!

imaginary dana — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 17:36:23 +0000

Yes, dear readers, I've been lapped! But ready to read more about these bands...

From the trenches at Bumbershoot, Day 2

imaginary dana — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 22:16:22 +0000

So far, so good! I started my day off with Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (SO LOVEY I WANT TO BITE THEIR HEADS!!) and Mono in VCF, while ChrisB caught the Trucks and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.