{Photo: Jeanine Anderson from the Three Imaginary Girls Flickr Photo Pool}

I heart Star Lake Drownings and still glow with honor that they played my birthday party year before last. Our Andrew Boe nailed it when they are a cross between My Bloody Valentine and Belly... and, from personal experience, they put on a show full of coy melodies and entrancing reverb. Looks like they are opening tonight for The Charity Strap and The Endeavors (celebrating their album release) at the High Dive.

Bobby McHugh recently caught Parson Red Heads (playing tonight as part of their month-long residency at the Comet with Battle Hymns) and his photos from their last show make a strong case to head that way tonight as well.

Last I heard the Satchel show at the Crocodile was *this close* to selling out... anyone get tickets to that?

Where are you headed tonight?

Still undecided? Per the imaginary calendar, there's quite a bit to choose from:

more...

Jared and Michael Bell, the brothers that are collectively known as Lymbyc System, may live across the country from each other, but their music doesn't sound like it. The cohesive, gradually intensifying orchestration is reminiscent of Tortoise, Explosions in the Sky or the Dirty Three. Snippets sung over the phone, plans hashed out over late night telephone calls, a back and forth of musical ideas... this is the life of the Brooklyn and Austin residents that make up this duo.

They've toured with The Books (fittingly) and Crystal Castles, among others.

Lymbyc System is touring in January (dates noted below), and a single from their new album Shutter Release is available for all our little ears to take a listen: Bedroom Anthem

more...

at High Dive

I had anticipated the Deer Tick show for several weeks prior to this night, having heard "Diamond Rings 2007" on KEXP one morning on the way to work. I was immediately drawn to the raw vocals and grungy country style. I did quite a bit of researching before the show, hoping to get a feel for what I was in for at the High Dive on Thursday night.

However I wasn't prepared for the alt.country marathon that ensued, leaving me both ecstatic and exhausted. The band played approximately 25 songs in total, a scorcher considering that on a good night, most bands give us 14 or 15 tracks at best. Country songs are different though, I get that. Still, I tried to get a playlist at the end and was told that they "don't use one." I can't even keep track of my family's birthdays, how on earth did Deer Tick power through a 20+ song set without a guide?

more...

I heard Deer Tick on KEXP a few months ago and immediately rushed to buy their latest record. What I heard was a mix of grunge, country, rock and blues and it's just right for the Northwestern indian summer we're about to have. Fans of the Cave Singers and the Maldives will appreciate John McCauley's slightly ominous Americana stylings coupled with a plaintive, raspy singing style.

Deer Tick were recently named the #1 Breaking Band To Watch at SXSW 2009 by Rolling Stone's own David Fricke, which is kind of a big deal, right? I know! Apparently they're also quite funny to watch live, so I'm excited to see what they might pull out of their hats: "I've seen so many people play with virtually no stage presence and it's a bummer. I don't want to watch that. Besides, my songs are too sad to sing one after the other and not tell a few jokes."

I've had this show on the books for over a month now and I can't wait! Deer Tick plays tonight at the High Dive (sponsored by The Tractor Tavern). I think it'll be a great show for one of these last warm nights.

more...

Tonight, Bumbershoot unoffically begins with my friends from Ear Candy's kick-off party at the High Dive. It'll be quite the party, to say the least.

The main reason I like this bill is because it combines two great rock bands (The Redwood Plan and Born Anchors) with two great hip hop acts (Victor Shade and Grynch). The headliner of the night is Victor Shade, a brand new collaboration between Common Market's RA Scion and producer MTK. This will be their first show ever, so you'll probably not want to miss that.

This is the type of show that should happen every night because it takes risks with its booking and forces the crowd to listen to something that they may not be previously exposed to. It'll open with Born Anchors, a straight-forward rock band and continue with the buzz band The Redwood Plan, who are an excellent dance-rock band that has a heavy reliance on synths and hooks. With Grynch and Victor Shade, they'll surely close the night out like the party it is.

Ear Candy's (F)unoffical Bumbershoot kick-off party is tonight (Friday, September 4) at the High Dive with Victor Shade, Grynch, Born Anchors and The Redwood Plan. $10, 21+, 9pm.

We have a pair of tickets to give away to one of our fine, benevolent readers. To enter, just send an e-mail to tig@threeimaginarygirls.com with "Friday Mile" in the subject line before 9am Wednesday, May 27. The winner will be notified shortly thereafter and will receive a spot on the band's guestlist for the evening +1. This show will almost certainly sell out, so plan accordingly.

more...

There's been a lot of talk recently about trailers being created for books, but this is the first one I've encountered for an album. It was sent to me by The Sea Navy's frontman Jay Cox, for his band's forthcoming album Memory Matches.

more...

I've pretty much been listening to Hot Probs, the new record from Tea Cozies, non-stop over the past few days. Even after I finished writing my review of it. Tonight is their CD release show at the High Dive.

more...

We've got another pair of tickets to give away to another excellent show coming up next Saturday (May 9th). This one is at the High Dive and features four really great bands: The Sea Navy, Man Plus, The Dimes and Greycoats.

more...

It seems fitting that the first official record Giacolino releases to the public harkens to his roots: a self-produced, singer-songwriter effort. And it's a gem... and it will be a great to see him at the High Dive tonight.

more...