{This is part two of two in our best-of photo series of 2011. Take a peek over at part one here, and don't forget to check out our festival best-ofs part one and two as well!}
Favorite photo #5: Ocean Shores :: In a get-to-know-your-roots {PNW edition} kind of road trip, we hopped in the car one weekend with esteemed sometimes-imaginary photographer and fellow transplant Laura Musselman for a ride out to the water -- Ocean Shores, to be exact -- with jaunts to Aberdeen and Hoquiam on the way. It was all at once melancholy and sun-filled, juxtaposing sad, semi-abandoned mainstreets with a big, bright, full-fledged kite festival once we were beachside. Strange as it was for those two worlds to meet, it was definitely a day trip for the books, yielding a half-dozen photos that easily made our best-ofs for the year (like the one above). {more field trip photos} {Laura Musselman}
Favorite moment #5: Eef Barzelay {at the Madrona Ale House} :: The night after Eef Barzelay's headlining appearance at our Imaginary Holiday Spectacular, he played a much quieter affair as part of a private party at the Madrona Ale House. Abandoning the PA after three-quarters of a song, he sat down across the table from us, where he proceeded to stay for much of the show. The result? A very front-row seat for one of our favorite performances of the year. You can even hear a moderately decent recording of one of his Journey project tracks from the show over here and relive the moment along with us! {more photos of Eef} {Eef Barzelay / Clem Snide bandcamp}
Favorite photo #4: Lovesick Empire at Neumos :: This one happened so early in the year that it almost slipped through the great sort-through! Way back in January, Lovesick Empire played an AMAZING set at Neumos, and even though they're pushing forward with a slightly different lineup than seen here, they are still making some of the most kick-ass music coming out of Seattle today. It's huge-sounding, dirty, full of guitars, and cuts right to the point -- another one to add to your "do not miss under any circumstances" list of live bands to catch so that you don't regret it forever the morning after they've played. {more photos from the Neumos show} {Lovesick Empire FB}
Favorite moment #4: John Roderick's pre-City Arts house show :: We were the luckiest of all ducks to not only attend, but actually host a super-intimate house show with John Roderick out in Ballard this past October, where less than two dozen folks pulled together a potluck and a city of tealights for one of our favorite shows of the year. John held court in front of the mantel, singing and storytelling and taking requests for more time than we could keep track of (minutes? hours?) while the room swooned away with delight -- like Eef's Alehouse show, we even managed to sneak in a homemade recording, which you can take a listen to here. Honestly, there's not much we can think of for 2012 that's going to be able to top it. {more photos from the house show} {The Long Winters}
This past Saturday, we said goodbye to our dear, dear Visqueen. The duo of Rachel Flotard and Ben Hooker (with a rotating team of equally disarming and talented friends on bass and rhythm guitar throughout the years) charmed a sold out crowd one last time. The evening couldn't have been any more sweet, or touching, or amazing. It's the night that we will all be talking about for years to come, about the last time Visqueen rocked our socks off: the final Rachel in-between song banter that made us laugh so hard we cried, and a final song that was so stunning, I weep buckets at just the mention of it.
Rachel was able to cajole Broadcast Oblivion into reforming for this special night. I'll admit, it's been a while since I've listened to my copy of Transmita Olvido to sing along to "False Starts for Blackened Hearts" (on repeat), but it was magical to enter the showroom as they were working up a sweat. Capping off their set with a drum off between Ben Hooker and Coady Willis (who you might have recognized as a Murder City Devil), they really set the tone for the rest of the night: the next few hours were going to be full of surprises, and the fun of a good ol' fashioned party among friends. Visqueen entered the stage to “I Had the Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing, hugging and laughing and taking the edge off of the finality of it all, and cementing the fact that when it comes down to it, we're all still going to be BFFs -- nomatterwhat.
{Rachel and Ben of Visqueen at TIG's 69 Love Songs show in 2008. Photo by Laura Musselman}
Visqueen recently announced that, after more than 13 years of making us merry, they are going on an indefinite hiatus with the close of November, 2011. Although I agree It's totally fair for them to want to put down their guitars and sticks after such an amazing run, I have to admit it's really sad to think about imaginary life without the hope of ever seeing another Visqueen show (last shows listed below - get your tickets now!).
This got me reminiscing about all the amazing moments Three Imaginary Girls has had with them since our beginning nearly 10 years ago. It's a natural fit that as Visqueen shot to the forefront of the Seattle music scene, we were there in the front row basking in their glow. All that superfandom has resulted in about 80 Visqueen posts over the years and more than a few "most memorable moments of my life" and, of course, a Top 5 Imaginary Visqueen Moments list!
1. OUR FIRST EVER VISQUEEN SHOW
About a month after we launched Three Imaginary Girls, we posted this review of the July 3, 2002 Visqueen show that pretty much set the tone for the website. We {gush} talk about Kim Warnick, they cover a Tom Petty song, and Kim gives away a pair of tickets to see the Who that weekend{/gush}. We should have mentioned it more pointedly, but huge thanks to Pete Hilgendorf for telling us about Visqueen in the first place.
Well, I wish them well in the future. They will seriously be missed by all of their fans. Who knows what the future will bring. They will most likely do more shows in the future at some point.
Autumn is upon us, and once again, we've found ourselves happily submerged in a sea of grey mornings at the local cafe with headphones on, poring through new releases and marking our calendars for upcoming shows. And in case you're in one of those spots where you had to put New Release Tuesday on the back burner for a bit, we'd love to help you catch up! Part one of two, this post features stuff we heart to the maxx that also has a live show coming up in November -- and PS, we've got tickets to give away for almost everything featured here! Read on:
Who: tUnE-yArDs, aka Merrill Garbus
What: new(ish) album from earlier this year, upcoming show, all-around awesomeness Sounds Like: super-melodic, experimental freak-out tribal chanting over sweet beats + some very catchy sing-a-long-y vibes More info at:http://tune-yards.com/ Playing: The Neptune on Sunday, November 20th
Short version? One of the stand-out small-stage acts at Sasquatch! 2010, plays huge venues now, not to be missed. Long version: tUnE-yArDs -- which is comprised mostly of a lady-genius named Merrill Garbus, along with some loops and accompanying musicians depending on where and when you catch her -- is not like any other band out there today. It's part crazy catchy beats, part tribal warpaint, part musical catch-and-release, and all amazing. 2009's Bird-Brains kicked our asses, and 2011's w h o k i l l took things to a whole 'nother level. Buy both albums and make sure you're front and center for her Neptune appearance later this month.
Who: We Were Promised Jetpacks
What: new album, upcoming show, mosh potential Sounds Like: straight-up indie rock, big guitars, angst, Scottishness More info at:http://wewerepromisedjetpacks.com Playing: Neumos on Tuesday, November 15th
Latest comment by: Ryan: "I have heard many songs sung by Anastacia. Heavy Rotation is one of the albums sung by her. I have tried to download it, but unable to do this. Just wants to know the site from where we can download this. Also can anyone tell me other songs by her? It will really ...
It was *so so awesome* seeing you and boy oh boy did the double helpings of pizza make my tummy happy. I still have a couple of those wooden tokens for rum drink specials left over; I suppose I've kept them to remind me of the rum vanilla-y goodness for weeks to come.
Word from our interoffice email threads since the event confirms that every member of the DJ crew had an amazing time! Chris Estey, Amie Simon, and Victoria VanBruinisse really outdid themselves putting together their sets.
Some folks who couldn't stay the whole time (or perhaps redeemed one too many of those wooden rum drink tokens) asked for a recap of the set... so here's mine:
Last year, Rachel Flotard {Visqueen, Cobirds Unite}visited southern Laos's Ban Na Mouang Village where Rachel's friend, Justin Nonthaveth, has family. While there, she and her fellow do-gooder friends danced on the newly paved schoolroom floor, installed thanks to funds raised at 2009's FOOTLAOS party. While there, she also delivered additional new text books, donated soccer balls and any other craft supplies, toothbrushes and such she could stuff in her luggage.
This year, Seattle, let's do it again. Let's gather together to raise funds to make a big difference in the lives of these children by giving their schoolroom walls. Yes, WALLS!
There couldn't be a more fun way to make this magic happen than than to CUT FOOTLAOS this Wednesday, December 1st in Capitol Hill. The event spans two venues allowing for maximum booty shaking:
Sole Repair Shop - 1001 East Pike, Seattle Starting at 8pm, there will be DJs on hand to get everybody dancing -- as well as drinks and munchable treats.
Iceland versus Seattle on Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Crocodile. WHO WILL WIN THE EPIC BATTLE? Who will be voted the most precious of all indie rockers between here and Reykjavik?
Akin to the now defunct Band Lottery, the musicians will be teaming up to possibly reinvent old material, but are more likely to create all new jangly and sparkly songs to soothe the (potentially) waterlogged audience. Personally, I am hoping that Sindri Mar Sigfusson (Sin Fang Bous/Seabear) and our own John Roderick are paired up. If you've never heard of Sin Fang Bous, think "The Commander Thinks Aloud" but with micro beats and quieter vocals. (DID YOU JUST GET EXCITED? I DID!!) Rachel Flotard (Visqueen / Cobirds Unite) will also be gracing the stage, possibly in a Bjork-style gown.
If that doesn't peak your interest, how about this: THE EVENT IS FREE!! It is 21+ (sorry kids!) and open until the venue reaches capacity. I hear rumor that Roderick will be sporting a genuine Icelandic-themed sweater! The other Seattle artists that night will be: Rusty Willoughby, Nathan Wade, and Jason Dodson. Lay Low, Petur Ben, and Mugison are rounding out the Icelandic team.
Flotard aptly described the upcoming night of radness, "Without getting too 'We Are the World' over the potential for kindred connection and cultural hilarity, this evening of Seattle/Reykjavik spin-the-bottle makes my heart implode."
Prepare your hearts and get there early. Don't miss a minute.
If you are going to Reykjavik Calling this Friday night at the Crocodile, you are going to see a softer side of Rachel Flotard as she partners up with Rusty Willoughby in their Cobirds Unite collective. But those who know Flotard from her main band, Visqueen, knows that she has also has a pure pop side that rocks... and it rocks hard.
But who does Rachel look to for inspiration? Here's what she had to say about Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters first album: “There’s nothing like the urgency of the first Foo's record. The ray gun basically shot me in the face, and I’ve always had a spot in my heart for it... plus, any jovial brother that wallops the skins and cranks is good by me.”
{Her Majesty herself, Rachel Flotard, by Steve Louie}
We may be almost a week out from the crazy weekend known as Bumbershoot, but that doesn't mean we can't gush about our favorites and relive the magic as we head into a dreary fall weekend. All photos by Steve Louie.
1. A double shot of Visqueen with a hint of Neko Case
What a lucky day to get to see one of Seattle's best bands twice! For those lucky enough to get tickets, Visqueen played a KEXP lounge set early Saturday afternoon, and ended with an almost a capella version of "So Long", all harmonies and cello which had me in tears. Here's a video of "Summer Snow" (complete with typical jokes cracked at drummer Ben Hooker's expense) from the same set, which will give you an idea as to how emotional and amazing Visqueen can be turned down. KEXP is still streaming the whole set on their two week streaming archive, so I highly recommend taking a listen.
Latest comment by: Jody: "Seeing the Thermals cover Weezer's "My Name is Jonas" was indeed a highlight of Bumbershoot. Japandroids were the best of my Bumbershoot weekend."
Somehow, in the avalanche of amazing bands at Seattle Center this past weekend, we managed to scrawl some furious notes on a fistful of locals and indie bands that brought the noise / love / ache / bliss. Here's a few of our picks to start the best-of Bumbershoot chatter that we'd like to share, in no particular order:
1. David Bazan at the KEXP 'Secret Stage'
It's no secret at all that KEXP's hideout is one of the best things about Bumbershoot: a great selection of all the best acts of the weekend, in a cushy, sit-down theater that's got impeccable sound and flawless sightlines. Thanks to a thoughtful friend, we had two seats for the 1:15pm Sunday performance -- and sat rapt with attention while the band proceeded to rip the roof right off from above us. Longtime fans of Bazan's solo work and earlier Pedro The Lion need not hate on this revamped sound: the new (and reworked versions of older) songs are nothing short of big-guitar bring-it-ness. Anthematic, cinematic renditions from Curse Your Branches had us covered in goosebumps; and the six-song power set left us both satiated and eagerly anticipating the next show -- you can catch David Bazan + Band (with the lovely Head and the Heart opening) at the Showbox over Thanksgiving Weekend.
2. The Tripwires at the Mural
Honestly, I can't think of a better way to start a festival day than with a full-frontal rawk set from some of Seattle's very own power-pop royalty foursome, the Tripwires. Promptly at 11:45am, the band took to the Mural stage and shot a big bag of awesome into the waiting arms of the still-caffienating crowd. Opening with "Let's Get You Started" (one of the best tracks off their newest album, House to House), they set the tone -- and the standard -- for a truly excellent day. Sangster + Sangster + Ramberg + Pickerel + espresso + sunshine = a brunch-rock set to remember.
1. 
The ray gun basically shot me in the face, and I’ve always had a spot in my heart for it... plus, any jovial brother that wallops the skins and cranks is good by me.”
![[david bazan / by victoria vanbruinisse]](/files/uploaded-images/david_bazan_bumbershoot_2010.jpg)
![[the tripwires / by victoria vanbruinisse]](/files/uploaded-images/johnny_sangster_bumbershoot_2010.jpg)
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