Three Imaginary Girls - High Dive

Recommended Show: Blue Skies for Black Hearts at the High Dive this Thursday {9/22}

Imaginary Amie — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:06:17 +0000

I don't know if y'all remember me raving about Blue Skies for Black Hearts earlier this Summer when I saw them play with Tennis Pro, but I just remembered they are playing in Seattle again this Thursday at the High Dive, so I had to alert the masses because YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS.

On Thursday night, this excellent Portland band will take the stage for Elba's record release party with Matt Badger (from Ravenna Woods) and Jarret Killen. Word is they will play 3rd - but you should go shortly after doors so you can listen to the other bands too. Just don't miss these guys, trust me. They will impress you.

Thursday, 9/22
The High Dive
Jarret Killen | Matt Badger
Blue Skies for Black Hearts | Elba
Doors @8pm, $7 cover

Photo by Justin Dylan Renney from the BSFBH web site.

Recommended Show TONIGHT {5/12}: Another Rainy Saturday's lineup of pop goodness @the High Dive

Imaginary Amie — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:59:19 +0000

Our own (previously imaginary) Chris Burlingame has been rockin' Seattle's journalistic world with his poptastic site Another Rainy Saturday, and we're pleased as punch that he's put together a second show!

Tonight's High Dive lineup is made up of three bands that sold me on first listen, and were clearly made to complement each other: Secret Shoppers has a synth-heavy retro 80s sound that I love, The Midget does catchy electro pop with sweet vocals, and Glitterbang has got some SOUL going on amongst sway-worthy, bounce-inducing beats and sexy, throaty crooning.

I know, I know. BUT THE SUN IS OUT, you say. It's totally cool. Doors don't open 'til 8, so you have plenty of time to prefunk on a sunny patio (I hear Nectar has a great happy hour!), and then head on over to the HD get your groove on.

The deets:
Another Rainy Saturday and the High Dive Present:
Secret Shoppers
Glitterbang
The Midget
Thursday, 5/12
Doors @8, $7, 21+

Imaginary Interview: Tomten talk about headlining the High Dive {4/28}, the Vera Project {5/13} & more

Chris Estey — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:02:26 +0000

For those out of the loop, Tomten is a Seattle band that enchanted the judges this year at the EMP Sound Off! finals. So much so, they aced the "Wild Card" vote and won. (OK, yeah, I was one of those smitten judges, hence the following interview.) They have a sweet nine song debut available at local record shops, and with a lot of shows coming up, you're going to be hearing a lot more of them. They're booked to headline the High Dive this week on Thursday, April 28, then the all-ages Vera on May 13. Both shows are more than worthy of your night-out dollar.

Also coming up is the beloved literary/music event Verse Chapter Verse, this time held at Chop Suey on Saturday, May 28 (7pm). This installment will be with cult science-fiction author China Mieville, who will be interviewed live by The Stranger. Paul Constant, a VCV promoter and fellow Stranger scribe, descibes Tomten as, "...a local up-and-coming rock and roll outfit that calls back to the Rolling Stones and the Zombies while moving forward with a jittery kind of gonzo energy. I think their organ-heavy music will mesh with Mieville's self-described weird fiction in fantastic, science fictional ways."

Below is our hot-fresh interview with singer/songwriter/guitarist/organ grinder Brian Noyeswatkins, initiated when I ran into him at the Elliott Bay Bookstore Cafe as he was planning to quit his job at Value Village and grabbing a coffee. He had a bad cold, but that didn't prevent us from lining up this exchange and bonding over Big Star and other sublime frequenices.

Don't miss: Youth Rescue Mission at the High Dive {tonight!}

imaginary victoria — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:43:01 +0000

Okay. So, in case you've missed the squee-ing we've done over the album, or the nifty DIY video, or all the amazing they brought to Audioasis on KEXP recently -- let us tell you again: Youth Rescue Mission is a Good Band. And in the sea of things you could have taking over your Thursday night, this show is hands-down the one event you should let your boat succumb to. Period.

YRM will be at the High Dive tonight with Smokey Brights (who come complete with a smattering of local all-starness action) and Sean Flinn and the Royal We. Doors are at 9. Cover is six bucks. And as per usual, it's a 21+ show. Dig on the poster, show up early enough to buy your passes at the door, and go -- we promise you'll dig how Youth Rescue Mission does it live!

Get delightful with Darren Hanlon this Saturday {4/16 - early show!}

imaginary liz — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:35:26 +0000

Our favorite Australian balladeer is coming to Seattle for an early Saturday show on Saturday 16th! Touring in support of 2010's brilliant I Will Love You At All (which was one of my top 10 records of 2010) and the recent Butterfly Bones EP (which features two songs from the album), Darren Hanlon will take to the High Dive stage at a very reasonable 5.30pm time slot to charm us with his unmatchable disarming banter and cozy melodic tales of schoolboy crushes, punk roommates, true love, and squash.

More than just a fella with good taste in friends (he's opened up for the Magnetic Fields and Billy Bragg, just to name drop a little), most folks leave his shows feeling like you have a new BFF... and one that can play the ukulele at that. Let's start off our Saturday night in High Dive style!

And if your friends still aren't convinced that they should join you at the DH show...

Don't miss: Young Lions this Thursday at the High Dive {3/31}

imaginary victoria — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:08:46 +0000

Good music, good people, good ol' Fremont, good ol'... well, everything. These are our high expectations of this up-and-coming Thursday night, when Young Lions, Bryan John Appleby, Fort Union, and Widower take the stage at the High Dive.

In the event you're not familiar with all these fine folks, take a moment to do some parking with your soon-to-be-favorite corners of the internet: Young Lions will have some live tracks up in the next minute or two (if they're not up already) with up-to-the-moment details on their Facebook page here; the new-great (as opposed to late-great) Bryan John Appleby will woo-and-croon you into submission at his Bandcamp page here. And of course, as we heard last week, Fort Union's got some new tunes up at their Bandcamp mixed by the Mighty Gary Mula, and you can find those just begging to be clicked right on over here.

Celebrate Guerrilla Candy's official launch w/My Goodness, Hobosexual & more @ the High Dive {2/4}

Imaginary Amie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:59:49 +0000

When Travis Hay launched his site Ear Candy 5 years ago, he had no idea that one day an evil corporate giant would come after him and force him to change his name, which you know, frankly SUCKED. But! Lucky for us, he simply changed the name to Guerilla Candy (oh man I love that new tagline) and continued to give Seattle readers the same great coverage with music news, show and album reviews, interviews, etc.

Now that the legal nightmare is over, it's only natural that he'd also choose to make a clean break with his old name by throwing an awesome party at The High Dive this Friday {2/4} with four of his favorite local bands: My Goodness, Hot Bodies in Motion, Hobosexual, and Hounds of the Wild Hunt. The evening will be hosted by the city's favorite cowboy Brent Amaker, and is sure to be a rockin' good time. Swing on by and give Travis some props, will ya? He's a great guy and deserves some, trust me.

Guerrilla Candy's Launch Party
Hounds of the Wild Hunt
Hot Bodies in Motion
Hobosexual
My Goodness
Hosted by Brent Amaker
The High Dive
Friday, February 4
$10

Recommended Show: Black Swedes @The High Dive {10/21}

Imaginary Amie — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:48:52 +0000

It's rare these days that I make it out of my house on a weeknight to see a show, but this Thursday I'm heading down to the High Dive in Fremont to see the Black Swedes emote some extreme alt-rock goodness and celebrate the release of their 3-CD box set, Catching Up with the Black Swedes.

The Swedes will be joined by Levi Fuller and Colin J Nelson (who is also releasing a new CD that eve). Show starts at 9pm with a $7 cover. Who's with me?

Note: In my review of Catching Up with the Black Swedes, I said the CD box set would be available for $10, but they will actually be selling it for only $7 at the show!

Friday's recommended shows: Kurt B. Reighley, Cataldo, Wheedle's Groove and more!

imaginary victoria — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:30:13 +0000

It's another lace-your-sneakers up kind of Friday here in Seattle -- so go get those kicks out of the back of your closet and get ready to hit the town.

Kurt B. Reighley's reading / booksigning at Elliott Bay Bookstore

Prefunk your Friday night right with a stop at Elliott Bay Bookstore in Capitol Hill around 7p. That's where you'll find our good pal Kurt Reighley (who you may also know as DJ El Toro from KEXP) reading selected sections from his new book, United States of Americana: Backyard Chickens, Burlesque Beauties, and Handmade Bitters: A Field Guide to the New American Roots Movement. Come early, get a good spot, and get your listen on -- and while you won't need an ID to get into this one, make sure you bring wallets along so you can pick up a copy.

Cataldo at the High Dive

We recently heard from Matt Bishop, lead singer / songsterer extraordinaire from the alt.orchestra-pop outfit Hey Marseilles, who recommended we take a moment out of our busy imaginary days to give the band Cataldo a listen -- and we're sure glad we did! Cataldo's sparse-but-loaded, sometimes twangy, always heartstring-yanking sound swept us right off our Mary Jane-wearin' feet. We can't wait to dig on the live show at the High Dive after Kurt's book party -- get there early to check out the warmups, as Red River and Drew Victor open.

If that doesn't suit your taste, mosey on over to check out Wheedle's Groove at Neumo's or "The Best of the New" at Columbia City Theater -- both are guaranteed to get your weekend started right. Wheedle's Groove will be taking the stage with DJs Mike Nipper and Marc Muller from the Emerald City Soul Club, putting on a night to remember as a fundraiser for Mother Maxine Hill. (Mother Maxine passed away recently, and funds are being raised to help cover the family's medical and funeral expenses.)

Out the other end of town, you can check out an awesome gig over at Columbia City Theater, where great new sounds from Lemolo, Kimo Muraki, Luke Stevens, Kirsten & Travis, Bryan John Appleby, and Youth Rescue Mission will be bringing the bliss -- for free. That's a lot of band for no bucks!

One more recommended show: The Poison Control Center at High Dive

imaginary keenan — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:31:20 +0000

If Ariel Pink isn't your thing, then consider checking out Iowa's favorite sons, The Poison Control Center tonight at the High Dive! Think of it as Pavement with gymnastics. I've seen these boys a bunch (including last night in a 200 sq ft basement in Olympia) and they are absolutely one of my favorite live bands. You can hear me gush for about a minute straight on our latest Imaginary Mixtape about how much I love this band.

No two shows are the same, but last night's set included a crowd surfing guitar player, tons of guitar solos played upside down candle-stick style (see above), and lots of rolling on the floor and doing the splits. I just wish I'd brought a camera. Of course, tonight they play on a stage, but as you can see in this below video, that doesn't make much of a difference. If you're looking to thrash around (with Salmon Thraser opening, no less!) with a giant grin on your face, I'll see you at the High Dive.

Best weekend ever: Record Store Day, PopCon, shows, awesomeness

imaginary liz — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:26:23 +0000

My mind is being blown as I look at my calendar pages for today and tomorrow. On top of the intoxicating sunshine the weather folk have predicted for the weekend, the indie-gods have bestowed a packed schedule of wonderfulness:

APRIL 16-18: EMP Pop Conference
It's going to be full of great sessions around this year's topic of sounds and the machines that make them. This year I'm most excited about hearing Tim Quirk and his look at "The Quiet Revolution: From the Walkman to the iPod, How Portability and Infinite Storage Have Changed the Way We Listen, and What We Listen To" on Friday at 10.45am. Catching Mike McGonigal moderating "Identity Projects" and Michaelangelo Matos on the "Interrogating the Digital" - both on Sunday - will rock 33 1/3 socks off as well.

APRIL 17: Record Store Day
Empty out your canvas bag and your bus pass, it's time to take Seattle record stores by storm on an all day tour picking up a slew of very special limited edition releases to remind us all how important it is to support out local independent record stores. I am most looking forward to getting to Jigsaw Records in time to pick up each release in their LTD RSD-only series (only 25 will be pressed!) with floppies by Math and Physics Club and BOAT. (full scoop)

{even more amazing things to do this weekend after the jump!}

And I'm sure I missed something... what else is going on this weekend? All this fun must be a thank you for getting our taxes done on time, right?

Double shot of Math and Physics Club shows in April

imaginary liz — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:53:41 +0000

March Madness has morphed into Awesome April and it's kicking into high gear with a pair of Math and Physics Club shows this month.

The updated four-piece (now with new drummer and sans-strings), will play a couple low key shows at the High Dive on April 10 (this Saturday) and April 17 to test drive some new songs for their upcoming trip to the San Francisco Popfest (over Memorial Day weekend) and their highly anticipated album release show at the Crocodile on June 12. Both High Dive shows are going to be early (6p-8p) and have the sweetest of openers: Eux Autres (on April 10) and The Special Places (on April 17).

Wig Bash kicks off tonight at the High Dive

ChrisB — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:42:21 +0000

There aren't many people who have amassed as much goodwill in this music community as Ashley Graham, a publicist and writer who balances having her own local, independent PR company, Wig PR, and being the regional publicist for Live Nation. There's a semi-regularly feature on the Seattle Weekly's music blog Reverb that responds to her LN press releases. She's wonderful, lovely and helpful (including always returning my e-mails promptly at seemingly unusual times).

Unsurprisingly, she's throwing a great party this weekend (tonight in Seattle, tomorrow in Spokane) with some great bands all weekend. It's become something of an annual tradition (although last year's was unfortunately nixed by the sudden closing of The King Cobra). Tonight kicks off with SHIM, Paris Spleen, Telepathic Liberation Army and The Spinning Whips at the High Dive (21+, $7) and tomorrow SHIM and Paris Spleen are making the drive to Eastern Washington along with The Globes and Space Opera 77 to Sunset Junction in Spokane (21+, $6).

Brand new video from the Poison Control Center and a Seattle date for this summer!

imaginary keenan — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 01:14:19 +0000

If you're like me, and summer is not just the promise of good weather, but also amazing summer jams, then you're in luck: Ames, IA's The Poison Control Center have a brand new record coming out! Their Pavement-for-a-less-slacker-generation laid back indie rock always translates much mellower on record than live, but in this video for the brand new "Being Gone" (from the upcoming Sad Sour Future out May 18th on Afternoon Records) gives quite a hint at how goofy these guys can really get.

Tonight's recommended show: Star Lake Drownings at The Endeavors album release show

imaginary liz — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:56:21 +0000

{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:

Experimental rocker/shoegazers Lymbyc System announce tour

Imaginary Shrie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:19:41 +0000

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

20+ Deer Tick songs on a Thursday night

heather b — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:09:13 +0000

24 Sep 2009

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?

Anyway, it was a great time. They opened with a few bars of the good ol' boogie-stomp "Who Do You Love?" and then segued into the little honky-tonk dance number "Spend The Night" featuring some nice work on the standup bass and great blues guitar. After these promising beginnings, the night went on with a series of solid original country-rock stylings on songs such as "Smith Hill," "These Old Shoes," and crowd favorite "Art Isn't Real (City of Sin)" and some pretty spectacular covers as well. These included a very swingy "Maybellene" (Chuck Berry) in which half the crowd seemed to be dancing, and a funny, unexpected "Break Down" by Tom Petty. Other favorites were "Song About A Man" containing great vocals in John McCauley's singular and raw singing style, good use of harmonica on the bridge and depression-era lyrics.

Just as I was wondering why Deer Tick wasn't at the No Depression festival this year (as they would have fit in perfectly), the band cracked open a wonderful cover of The Replacement's "Can't Hardly Wait" which was also covered by Townes Van Sant at No Depression! Coincidence? Hmmm...

One of the highlights of the night were the amazing talents of drummer Dennis Michael Ryan. He pulled out a few epic, jaw-dropping solos that left the crowd speechless. References to John Bonham did indeed abound and I was totally impressed.

All in all, Deer Tick put on a really great show. The crowd was easygoing and everyone was in a good mood, clapping along and singing, dancing, cheering. Around song 17 or 18, I realized I shouldn't have closed my bar tab so early. The set continued with more howling blues guitar, thumping bass, zydeco tinkerings and swamp swing. During the break, I met a local musician from Ballard who informed me that Deer Tick's show at the Tractor in June was nothing compared to this night, referring to the High Dive show as "magic". I'd have to say he was right.

The encore began with guitarist Andrew Grant Tobiassen shouting "Who wants to hear another motherfucking Deer Tick song?" which was received with wild cheers from the audience. The first song began with another big rolling drum solo, followed by huge bass drum and screaming psychedelic guitar on perhaps the best known Deer Tick song, "Easy". This was followed by perfect rendition of the old school slide guitar song, you know the one? It's in all the 50's film soundtracks... Try as I might, I just cannot put my finger on the name. And then finally, the crazy and perfect "La Bamba". The remaining audience went wild at this point, everyone dancing, lots of big overhand claps (ha), guitar madness and a huge finish. They played for almost 2 whole hours, y'all. I'll definitely see Deer Tick again next time they play, but I'll be sure to get in a nap and some Gatorade beforehand.

Recommended Show: Deer Tick tonight (9/24) at High Dive

heather b — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:13:09 +0000

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.

Bumbershoot begins tonight (unoffically) with Ear Candy's kick-off party

ChrisB — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:41:07 +0000

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.

Win tickets to see Friday Mile at the High Dive

ChrisB — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:22:59 +0000

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.