Sometimes I feel like Dave Einmo is the busiest musician in Seattle. I miss running into him on the hill, because in addition to being a kick-ass rocker, he's also a damn fine all-around nice guy. But I digress, Einmo has manned Head Like a Kite for more than a few years now (I'd tell you the exact number of years, but Stoli has clouded my memory and I'm too lazy to use the internet), putting out a variety of eclectic sounds and putting on some hella entertaining live shows. The last album, Dreams Suspend Night, is a mash-up of music genres, with some amazing vocals by Asya Smoosh, plus tracks with Tilson from The Saturday Knights (like "Director's Cut" in the video above)-- and one of my very favorites, Her Space Holiday!

Back to the "busiest musician" thing. A visit to the HLAK web site reveals some sweet cover tunes ("Gimme Shelter!" hellyes), and a free download of some tracks. Dave has teamed up with Asya to form Daydream Vacation, which (based on "The Girl Don't Sleep") is poised to put out some shiny poppy hand-clapping tunes. 

I'm really interested to see what he does on the Fisher Green Stage, Monday Sept 5 at 2:15pm. Any guesses on possible special guests? :)

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Ahhh….summer. There's nothing quite like cranking up a bouncy, happy song on a sunny day - whether you're in a car with the top down, or taking a sunshiny sidewalk stroll with your earphones firmly in place. Sadly, once again this summer,  the sunny days in Seattle have been few and far between (Hello, July?). Here's to hoping this beach and BBQ-ready virtual mixtape I put together will keep you feeling warm!

1. The Drums - "Let's Go Surfing" - Summertime EP (2:55)
{tig} {listen} {buy}

2. Bow Wow Wow - "I Want Candy (Kevin Shields Remix)" - Marie Antoinette Soundtrack (2:40)
{listen} {buy}

3. The Submarines - "You Me and the Bourgeoisie" - Honeysuckle Weeks (3:22)
{tig} {listen} {buy}

 

{more tracks after the jump}

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{The Lonely Forest photo: Trickshot Photography}

This coming weekend is going to be full of more fun than an swim-up pool bar. Friday night (7/9) we have the blessed reunion of Carissa's Wierd at the Showbox at the Market. If you haven't heard why you must be there, you can sample their song and hear some reasons on our recent Imaginary Mixtape podcast. Or you can just read intricate tales of our long term Carissa's Wierd love affair.

That same Friday night our friends at TBTL are hosting an amazing night of "Imaginary Radio" over at the swanky new Columbia City Theater with performances by Sir Mix A Lot, Rachel Flotard, John Roderick, Ben Huh and others.  It's already sold out, but for those of us that can't make it on Friday, the TBTL-ers have added a Saturday night show (some tickets still available) with an equally stellar lineup: Smoosh, Blue Scholars, The Lonely Forest, Andy Haynes and a couple more surprises!

Of course, one look at the imaginary calendar and you can see a bunch of other possibilities too! Which way are you headed this weekend?

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{stylish photo by nancyo23}

I hope I'm not getting too granular with my listage, but given the empowering nature of  turning the page on the decade, I can't help myself--I wanted to make sure that that certain song gems didn't go unrewarded for their brilliance.

Thusly, I compiled the below list of songs released in the last decade that are total A+++, but who's album didn't make it on my favs of the decade list... either because the song is from an EP or single; the album is good, but not as solid as the 75 albums that made my list; a bunch of other albums by the band/artists appeared on the list; or I just was bad with tabulating and this should have been on the list based on the strength of said song alone.

Please enjoy the below a recap of the top 10 songs from the last decade that amaze me beyond belief (and didn't make my favorite albums of the decade list). What amazing splashes of song brilliance rocked your 2000-2009? I bet between all of us we could make the most amazing quad-mix cd ever!

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Smoosh photo by Jeanine Anderson.

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Here's a video put out a while back from The North American Halloween Prevention Initiative. It's kinda weird and it was hard to get my brain around it before the morning muffin... but it features a ton of awesomeness in the line-up -- and that's good enough for me.

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Smoosh has just announced that they've added a bass player to their touring line-up; Asya and Chloe's little sister Maia will be handling bass duties as the sisters rock the sunny stages across the US.

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And tickets will be on sale Friday morning (5/11) at 10:00 through Ticketweb.

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They do it with a ton of gusto and enthusiasm, as if they can't feel the aforementioned indie rock community breathing down their necks and watching their every move. Or they feel it and they just don't care.

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at Neumo's

What was once precociousness is now undeniable prowess; if we don't have Asy and Chloe action figures before those two get their drivers licenses, I for one will be disappointed.

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