We’ve had an unbelievable week of live performances in the KEXP studios, with the likes of Sloan, A Gun That Shoots Knives, The Sea Navy, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Blonde Redhead, Rufus Wainwright, and The Cave Singers. If you missed any of these performances, you can go back and listen on our Streaming Archive. Also, be sure to check pictures of the bands snapped by our staff of amazing photographers. Just follow the links to the band listed above. And there’s much more to follow in the weeks ahead.

Seattle is infested with touring bands right about now, and it’s impossible to make acceptable decisions on who to go see. Jarvis Cocker or Viva Voce on Monday? Frog Eyes or Bright Eyes on Tuesday? (I know which I’d want!) Kings of Leon, LCD Soundsystem or Joseph Arthur on Wednesday? Arctic Monkeys or !!! on Thursday? Mando Diao or The Decemberists on Friday? Andrew Bird and Apostle of Hustle or Tapes ‘N Tapes on Saturday? Ridiculous! And among these traveling troubadours are another handful of more-than-worthy shows featuring local bands, like Friday’s “Seattle Does Elvis” benefit for 826 Seattle or Saturday’s Audioasis Live @ High Dive, which is a benefit for Seattle Works and is followed by the Sonic Reducer Anniversary show. Whatever city you live in, you too may be facing similar problems as musicians have hit the road for festival season.

And when it comes to festivals, Coachella attracts many of the best artists each year, and this year’s lineup was no exception. Reports are already coming in from the three-day marathon that ended literally hours ago. Bjork, Interpol, Arcade Fire, Happy Mondays, Amy Winehouse and too many others to list here, played to enthusiastic crowds who endured three-hour traffic jams for the privilege. (And, yes, Scarlett Johansson did perform with Jesus & Mary Chain).

If you weren’t lucky enough to be there, then hopefully you were smart enough to watch the performances from home, courtesy of AT&T’s Blue Room, which broadcast over 30 performances live from various stages throughout the festival. Missed that too? No worries — that’s the beauty of the Internet. Hundreds of video clips have already been added to YouTube, some good, some bad, and some downright pathetic. Here are a few of the good ones:

Andrew Bird
Regina Spector
Arctic Monkeys
Jarvis Cocker
Cornelius
LCD Soundsystem

And if you’re in the Austin area this month, be sure to check out the Hot Freaks + Gorilla vs. Bear residency we’re sponsoring at The Mohawk. The shows are 18 and over and will run you only $2 ($4 if you’re under 21). For more information, go visit Gorilla vs. Bear.

May 1: Peel

May 8: White Denim

May 15: Peel

May 22: White Denim

Here are a couple of songs to get you in the mood:

White Denim - ShakeShakeShake (MP3)

Peel - In The City (MP3)

If you see any good Coachella videos or have any music news to share, email us at blog@kexp.org.

David Vandervelde at SXSW 2007
photo by Eric Uhlir

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is by David Vandervelde and is found on his 2007 release The Moonstation House Band on Secretly Canadian:

David Vandervelde - Nothin’ No (MP3)

Often compared to 70’s glam icons David Bowie and Marc Bolan, the young David Vandervelde makes no apologies for referencing a musical era that was over before he was born. At age 19, he began recording songs in former Wilco member Jay Bennett’s studio, playing nearly all of the instruments himself. Now, three years later, Vandervelde has unleashed his swaggering debut, and “Nothin’ No” is a fiery example of just how much this young’un can rock.

Here’s a video for “Jacket,” which Vandervelde wrote when he was 19:

We understand that no matter how lamentable the outcome, things must change. But sometimes change is within our control, and whoever has told you that promises were made to be broken (parents? politicians? boyfriends?) is ultimately full of it. Perhaps we don’t hold musicians and entertainers to the same standards as our loved ones, but it can still sting when our idols don’t follow through with their promises. Here are a few of the latest deal breakers:

The Ladybug Transistor - Song For The Ending Day (MP3)

The Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army preview (MP3)

If you have any music news to share or music like us to consider, we promise to read any email you send to blog@kexp.org.

Tonight marks two very special Seattle band showcases, at two venues that aren’t nearly close enough together to effortlessly hop back and forth (tragically). One show celebrates three favorite imaginary bands from a couple years back and promises a hipster dance party for the ages. The other celebrates a couple of brand new bands in town and promises to be a solemn yet glorious night for music fans – and perhaps the only chance to catch a budding Seattle star in a small venue like the Croc.

What’s an imaginary girl to do?

Friday, 4/27: Grand Archives/Welcome {album release}/The Lights, Crocodile

For those of you living under a music-blog rock, Grand Archives is the latest project of Mat Brooke (formerly of Carissa’s Wierd* and Band of Horses). Brooke met with considerable fame with both of his previous bands, leaving just as things were flourishing both times. Apparently, this sort of musical hard-to-get works for him; within mere moments of their debut show and the release of their demo recordings, Grand Archives not only got extensive Pitchfork coverage and praise, but also earned themselves and opening slot on the Modest Mouse tour and a recording contract at Sub Pop.

While most of the press has focused on Brooke’s musical career, the band is a bit of a Seattle super-group, also featuring Ron Lewis (ex-Mines, ex-Joggers, Ghost Stories), Curtis Hall (aka DJ Curtis, ex-the Jeunes), Jeff Montano (ex-New Mexican’s), and Thomas Wright (ex-Aveo, we think). This show just might be what Seattle musical dreams are made of, being able to claim you heard them when.

Or the band might dissolve as it achieves fame and success. All the more reason to catch them tonight.

*It’s been so long since I typed their name that my copy of Word had to be retrained not to auto-correct the spelling to “weird.”

Friday, 4/27: The Lashes, the Catch and a super secret** mystery band called U.S.E. at the Comet

We at Three Imaginary Girls feel we don’t spend enough time at the Comet. It’s the perfect blend of location, griminess, and tradition that we love (especially since they added a full bar a few months back). Tonight the Lashes, the Catch, and U.S.E. (oops, we guess we let that slip) will rock, sass, and dance the Comet into a crazy flurry of white belts and jet black dyed hair. The most interesting twist will be how all of those high-fashion dancing hipsters will fit in such a confined area. We predict grinding. Here is an unofficial hilarious poster for the event courtesy of The Stranger/LineOut.

**well, secret in an imaginary way.

You’re the best and that’s no secret!
three imaginary girls

In high iPod rotation:

(Three Imaginary Girls is a Seattle-based website that showcases the great music of the Northwest and beyond to music lovers worldwide. We post a Seattle live show calendar to help you fill your day-planner with loads of great shows, as well as record reviews, live show reviews, and an imagi-blog to entertain you throughout the day.)

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Morning Show host John Richards, is by Motor and is found on their 2007 album Unhuman on Mute:

Motor - Bleep #1 (MP3)

Following up last year’s debut, Klunk, the London duo of Mr. No and Bryan Black return with another release of fast driving, nue-techno dance grooves. But this isn’t your Aunt Sally’s acid house tedium. Motor’s music, heavy with hypnotic beats and synthetic rhythms, takes you just as quickly to a dark, mirrored discotheque, behind the wheel on the Autobahn, or on the treadmill at your local fitness center. It’s Nitzer Ebb without the fascism, Underworld in smaller doses, Front 242 with better production values. “Bleep #1″ will burn in your brain.

To learn more about podcasting and to subscribe to our podcasts, go to our podcasting page.

KEXP, along with The Onion, is also sponsoring The Mohawk Residency: A Hot Freaks! event w/ Gorilla vs Bear in Austin. The first four Tuesdays in May will feature performances by Peel and White Denim:

May 1 - Peel (opening act TBA)
May 8 - White Denim (opening act TBA)
May 15 - Peel (opening act TBA)
May 22 - White Denim (opening act TBA)

The cover for these 18 and over shows is only $2 (or $4 if you’re under 21). Doors open at 8 pm. The first act will begin at 9:30 pm and the headliner at 10:30 pm.

KEXP is proud to sponsor several ongoing events for listeners around the country. Starting tonight, April 26, at The Vera Project, KEXP presents Minus The Bear’s North American tour. The band will continue down the West Coast and throughout the Midwest. Check the tour schedule on the the band’s website for full tour details. Tonight’s show is all ages.

Tomorrow, Cloud Cult will perform an in-studio session. KEXP is sponsoring tonight’s performance at Fez Ballroom in Portland, and along with Grist, we are sponsoring tomorrow’s performance at Neumo’s.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow at 1:00 pm on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters.

Apparently with Spring come leaks. Yesterday, KEXP staffers were nearly flooded out of our offices by a ruptured water main nearby. Thankfully, the Twinkies across the street were spared the deluge. Other leaks were springing yesterday too. While there are always any number of leaks for upcoming releases due in the months that follow, here are a few notable leaks that have sprung:

Ra Ra Riot - Each Year (MP3)

Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends (MP3)

If you’d like to spring us any news or music suggestions, please email us at blog@kexp.org.

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Morning Show host John Richards, is by A Sunny Day In Glasgow and is found on their 2007 album Scribble Mural Comic Journal on Notenuf Records:

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - 5:15 Train (MP3)

What began as a Philadelphia-based recording project between two friends, Ben Daniels and Ever Nalens, who both had lived abroad in, you guessed it, the UK, soon became a project of siblings, as Ever was replaced by Ben’s sisters Robin and Laura. The most immediate comparison you’re likely to make when listening to A Sunny Day in Glasgow is to Loveless-era My Bloody Valentine. Sure, many have tried to duplicate the MBV sound over the years, but the washes of ambient noise layered above drumbeats and ethereal Cocteau Twins-like vocals from the twin sisters reveal a deeper understanding of what “shoegazer” can be than most imitators can grasp: that music can be a joy in which to lose yourself. Those who think shoegazer rock is a downer have missed the point. You won’t miss it on A Sunny Day in Glasgow, and you don’t have to go very far. Two more lovely songs can be heard on the band’s website, a simple click away, and there you can find a link for you to purchase their debut album.

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - The Best Summer Ever (MP3)

To learn more about podcasting and to subscribe to our podcasts, go to our podcasting page.

What’s cookin’ in today’s news? Why, that would be Belle & Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand and My Morning Jacket, that’s who. The indie darlings, among others, have contributed to I Like Food, Food Tastes Good, published by Hyperion. The recipes are meant to reflect the bands’ own discographies or experiences, and, man, you probably know what influenced Devendra Banhart’s contribution:

RIGHT ON!!!!!!
here is my favorite recipe for:
AFRICANAS RICAS!
you shall require!
many bananas!
a box of graham crackers!!!
two eggs!!!
SOUR CREAM!!
HONEY!

Sebadoh - Free Fallin’ [live 3-24-2007] (MP3)

Lily Allen - Smile (Mark Ronson revisit) (MP3)

If you have any hot new suggestions or interesting music news, please email us at blog@kexp.org.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Morning Show host John Richards, is by Brown Recluse Sings and is found on their 2006 self-released EP Black Sunday:

Brown Recluse Sings - Lazy Bones (MP3)

The fledgling Philadelphia band began as a project of Tim Meskers and Mark Saddlemire, and soon expanded to include Herbie Shellenberger, Alex Tyson, Jesse Todd, Ryan Todd. With the roster now filled, Brown Recluse Sings is working on new songs for their debut full-length of soothing, 70’s-tinged pop songs, but the kind you only wish you heard back then. The band’s title is an off-handed reference to Chet Baker Sings, only that it hints at the falsity and complexity of the jazz legend’s dual life, public and private, by including the surreal element of the brown recluse, one of two potentially fatal spiders in North America. Heady, huh? That’s why some of these guys are school teachers! But forget all of that nerdy stuff. If you’re a fan of Belle & Sebastian, Page France, or The Zombies, head over to their MySpace page to listen to more of their EP. If you’re in the NYC area, Brown Recluse Sings will take part in the 2007 NYC Popfest.

To learn more about podcasting and to subscribe to our podcasts, go to our podcasting page.