As with most weekends around SXSW time, the clubs were packed with music this weekend. What shows did you see?

Each night had a bunch of choices from Rocky Votolato, Laura Veirs, Mike Watt, The Big Pink, a Wooden Birds instore at Sonic Boom, and some Hollow Earth Radio fest action with Sir Richard Bishop... just to name a handful of the many options.

On Friday night, I found myself at Goldie's where some friends did a killer karaoke version of "Empire State of Mind" (totally YouTube-worthy) and on Saturday at the grand opening fun at Jigsaw Records (photos and recap coming soon) with performances by Math and Physics Club and D. Crane from BOAT.

And you? Add your photos to the TIG Flickr Photo Pool and tell us all about it!

(Rocky Votolato photo courtesy of Kirk Stauffer Photography)

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at Ash Street Saloon

Local to Portland, Viva Voce seemed to light up the crowd the most. Kevin Robinson taking to smashing his guitar on the stage near the end of the set.

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When it comes to Rocky Votolato, Spin Magazine puts it best: "Votolato possesses the kind of voice that never-been-kissed teenage girls imagine their crushes might have in a perfect universe." With a review like that, you could practically be a serial killer and still sell out your next five gigs.

Just kidding. Lucky for us, Votolato is not only felony-free, he's bringing some goodwill (and those sweet vocal chords) to the Triple Door next Saturday night for a show to benefit The International Fund for Animal Welfare, with the Terrordactyls. All proceeds will go straight to benefit the cause.

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My Suicide features music from Rocky Votolato on its soundtrack (and I hear that he will be at the screening, along with the film's director, David Lee Miller). The film screens on Wednesday, June 10 at 9:30pm at Pacific Place. If you want to see My Suicide at SIFF, just e-mail tig@threeimaginarygirls.com before 9am on Wednesday, June 10 with "My Suicide" in the subject line and we'll notify you shortly thereafter if you've won tickets to the screening that night.

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at The Showbox at the Market

An all-ages show to support and remember the legendary Seattle musician John Spalding.

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There are some great re-issues coming out from Rocky Votolato, Metallica, and the Moody Blues, as well as a few new titles that might tickle your fancy:

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Votolato drenches his trademark croon in Bluegrass whiskey and mandolins, and in turn, creates a very authentic sound.

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at Neumo's

Slender Means didn't feel like the same gentle pop band with just hints of darkness and malcontent in their lyrics; they played with rich, loud, soulful emphasis.

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Members of Slender Means have also been supporting Rocky Votolato's recent tour (including Slender Means guitarist Sonny Votolato, Rocky's brother), and we're hoping they'll be doing it again tonight for the hometown crowd.

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Want to go to the show? Want the EP? Three Imaginary Girls has a guest-list spot and a copy of the EP for two lucky winners!

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