• In one of the weirder shows to hit Seattle in a while, indietronica pop-maker Grimes played a free, Absolut Vodka–sponsored show at the Paramount. Guests were invited to RSVP online, and vaguely warned about a "dress-to-impress" dress code, to which Seattle replied "PFFFFFFF" and went anyway. The scene was surreal: "glamorous" makeup stations, tall models, and meatballs, with the sound of periodically shattering champagne glasses and obnoxious DJs asking if the crowd was "READY." Apparently the acoustics were not so hot, though Grimes gave it her best and threw down wicked interpretive dance moves for the dazed/confused audience.
• In anticipation of their 25th anniversary Silver Jubilee (a day of FREE music and fun on July 13), Sub Pop's revived Mega Mart pop-up record shop celebrated a "hard opening" on Friday with beer, doughnuts, and DJs Sharlese and Troy from KEXP. The temporary shop is located in Georgetown and offers lots of records, T-shirts, stickers, gumballs, and other SP paraphernalia, PLUS it's currently home to an awesome wall of artwork showcasing photos, faxes, handwritten notes, and other scraps from the label's history.
• Jason Holstrom, of long-dormant disco-pop lovelies United State of Electronica (aka U.S.E), has been working on an electronic solo project called Tonight's Sky... for years now. He's a perfectionist's perfectionist, so the album will probably be worth the wait. Also, Holstrom says U.S.E haven't been working on anything and he's not sure when they'll enter the studio again. Patience!
• Wildrose's outdoor "Bush Gardens" Pride party was the place to sweat it out to local bands on Saturday. The electro-dance pop of Glitterbang impressed with neon capes, synchronized booty-poppin' dancers, and the soaring voice of one Nicki Danger. Closing the festivities were Don't Talk to the Cops!, who brought the already dangerously high level of good vibes up even further with a tight set and brand-new hits.
• Light in the Attic Records threw a party last Saturday to celebrate the excellent reissue label's recent move to a big-ass warehouse space in Ballard. (Don't call it "The House that Searching for Sugar Man Built," please.) The shindig was record-nerd paradise as local dealers set up bins of wax to sell and LITA discounted the titles on its towering shelves. DJ Supreme La Rock/LITA employee Jon Treneff spun hot cuts, and Gold Leaves, No Grave, and Thee Midnight Creep played live. Congrats, LITA, on your well-deserved success.
• Blame the Kidz Bop version of "Thrift Shop," or blame those jerks who are trying to put a national spotlight on OUR MUSIC, but Macklemore & Ryan Lewis sold out their December 12 homecoming show at KeyArena a mere 15 minutes after tickets went on sale last Friday. KeyArena has added a December 11 show for the slower mouse-clickers out there. 
