Arc Iris Philly House Concert with Levee Drivers August John Lutz II, Kyle Perella and Chelsea Mitchell
In late January, a seed planted with Jocie Adams nearly two years ago, as the idea to come back to Philly to do a house concert, was finally ready to bloom. Jocie was scheduling some tour dates with her outfit, Arc Iris, and had the perfect opening for a two day stop in Philadelphia. Before all was said and done, there was a XPN session in the works and a house concert at the home of Root Down In the Shadow!
Although, the first Philadelphia day held an outstanding studio session taping by Folkadelphia for Arc Iris, co-billed with The Bailey Hounds, it was day two that was going to be outstanding! For the band, they were already in town so there was no night-time drive, no late arrival; and fortuitously since the studio session was the day prior, five members of Arc Iris were on hand rather than the originally planned three!
With the show being in a Philly row house, Arc Iris went on first. After all, they had trumpet, trombone, cello, and two keyboards; not your typical house concert instrumentation. They also had a very special 4 year old audience member who was trying her best to stay up for some of Jocie Adams' songs!
Set List - Arc Iris - Philadelphia, PA
1. Money Gnomes
2. Whiskey Man
3. Lost On Me
4. Mary, Mary
5. In Honor of the Rainbows
6. Canadian Cowboy
7. Singing Sweetly
8. Ditch
9. Powder Train
10. Swimming
Arc Iris was a thrill to watch in this intimate setting. The sound was so full and vibrant. You couldn't turn your head without being mesmerized by another instrument. Personally I would have been content after the first song, 'Money Gnomes'. While Jocie Adams sings the song, Zachary Tenorio-Miller is playing keyboard with his left hand and tapping out the beat with his right hand. Charlie Rose does some awesome techniques on the banjo essentially turning it into a shaker, then a drum, before he starts to pluck away. At one point, Charlie plucks in unison with Robin Ryczek's cello playing in a 'call and response" with Mike Irwin on trumpet. As I sit here and write the post, I've probably watched/listened to the song 15 times, trying to pick up more of the intricacies of the song, each time I grow more impressed with the complex composition.
The rest of the set was superb as well. Three songs in, on 'Lost On Me' the instrument carousel began. Charlie Rose picked up the trombone, Zachary Tenorio-Miller slid over to the second Nord, with Jocie Adams taking over the first. Next, was 'Mary, Mary', which my little girl absolutely loves from Jocie Adams' Bed of Notions, so to have this special "Molly Song" played just a few feet away from her was incredible.
Mary Mary by Jocie Adams & Robin Ryczek
*** pay attention to the 0:35 mark of the video to hear their special friend
As if that couldn't be topped, the band continued to put on displays musical prowess. Robin Ryczek was skillful on cello, especially the intro of 'In Honor of Rainbows'. She rivals Emily Hope Price as the cellist I love to watch play the most! Mike Irwin was most impressive with a fluttering of a plunger mute on the jubilant 'Singing Sweetly'. Zachary Tenorio-Miller brought sounds out of the Nord that I didn't realize were possible. I was stunned at times watching Charlie Rose on the pedal steel, especially watching him pull off a move by rolling his steel down the strings, from one end of the neck to the other along the strings. And of course the glue of the whole display was Jocie Adams. She's an incredible multi-instrumentalist, song writer who cultivated all of these songs while playing the Nord & guitar and handling the vocal duties.
If nine new tracks from an artist who has graced stages across the globe wasn't enough; local act, Levee Drivers had agreed to "open" the show. The Levee Drivers normally bring a lively Johnny Cash meets Glen Danzig, Americana meets Rock sound to venues all around the Philadelphia area. In this case, they showcased a lighter side with the stripped down lineup of August John Lutz II on guitar and vocals, Kyle Perella on lap steel and mandolin & Chelsea Mitchell on backing vocals and mandolin.
Levee Drivers set list @ Root Down In The Shadow
1. Off Them Tracks ** new **
2. Late Night Bar Room Two Step ** new **
3. Bound By That Ride unreleased original
4. Hell Bent Blues ** new **
5. Old 45's unreleased original
6. Northbound Heartbreak ** new **
** there were a few more songs, but this is what I recorded.. I was having too much fun watching this unfold in my living room to write down the rest**
Amongst the tracks played, six of them were recorded including three new, 1 revamped original and 2 unreleased originals. The comfort level of the Levee Drivers was great. The intimate setting really let them show off their wares, as they played without microphones or restrictions. The band, playing in front of a comfortably packed living room, might as well had been playing in front of the mirror as the traditional seperation between artist and fan was gone as they sat next to and later mingled with fans and friends in the room.
But it doesn't get much better than playing with one of your best friends and girlfriend. August took it to another level with his candor. He joked about his limited shtick, his squeaky stool, and even belched mid song to break up the moment during 'Northbound Heartbreak'. Check out the video for 'Old 45's. If that isn't relaxed, nothing is.
Levee Drivers - Old 45's featuring Chelsea Mitchell
Don't mind the bouncy video; it gets better during the recording. We were having so much fun, that August decided to cheer for the guy who went to the bathroom during the break and came out mid-song! Keep an eye out at 1:25
The set wasn't just fooling around by the band in the chill environment. Kyle showed off his lap steel skills, and you could see and hear the harmony with August and Chelsea!. If fans were not eager tp update their amount of Levee Driver recordings, they certainly will be after seeing some of these stripped shows before a release comes out later this year!
Levee Drivers - Late Night Bar Room Two Step featuring Chelsea Mitchell
Be sure to check back to Soundcloud and YouTube for more postings from this show. Also, be sure to check for coverage of this week's SoFar Sounds show featuring the Levee Drivers coming from a secret location somewhere in Philly, with a mostly secret line up!
Although, the first Philadelphia day held an outstanding studio session taping by Folkadelphia for Arc Iris, co-billed with The Bailey Hounds, it was day two that was going to be outstanding! For the band, they were already in town so there was no night-time drive, no late arrival; and fortuitously since the studio session was the day prior, five members of Arc Iris were on hand rather than the originally planned three!
With the show being in a Philly row house, Arc Iris went on first. After all, they had trumpet, trombone, cello, and two keyboards; not your typical house concert instrumentation. They also had a very special 4 year old audience member who was trying her best to stay up for some of Jocie Adams' songs!
 |
| Jocie Adams of Arc Iris |
 |
| Mike Irwin of Arc Iris |
1. Money Gnomes
2. Whiskey Man
3. Lost On Me
4. Mary, Mary
5. In Honor of the Rainbows
6. Canadian Cowboy
7. Singing Sweetly
8. Ditch
9. Powder Train
10. Swimming
Arc Iris was a thrill to watch in this intimate setting. The sound was so full and vibrant. You couldn't turn your head without being mesmerized by another instrument. Personally I would have been content after the first song, 'Money Gnomes'. While Jocie Adams sings the song, Zachary Tenorio-Miller is playing keyboard with his left hand and tapping out the beat with his right hand. Charlie Rose does some awesome techniques on the banjo essentially turning it into a shaker, then a drum, before he starts to pluck away. At one point, Charlie plucks in unison with Robin Ryczek's cello playing in a 'call and response" with Mike Irwin on trumpet. As I sit here and write the post, I've probably watched/listened to the song 15 times, trying to pick up more of the intricacies of the song, each time I grow more impressed with the complex composition.
 |
| Jocie Adams, Robin Ryczek, and Charlie Rose of ARC IRIS |
Mary Mary by Jocie Adams & Robin Ryczek
*** pay attention to the 0:35 mark of the video to hear their special friend
As if that couldn't be topped, the band continued to put on displays musical prowess. Robin Ryczek was skillful on cello, especially the intro of 'In Honor of Rainbows'. She rivals Emily Hope Price as the cellist I love to watch play the most! Mike Irwin was most impressive with a fluttering of a plunger mute on the jubilant 'Singing Sweetly'. Zachary Tenorio-Miller brought sounds out of the Nord that I didn't realize were possible. I was stunned at times watching Charlie Rose on the pedal steel, especially watching him pull off a move by rolling his steel down the strings, from one end of the neck to the other along the strings. And of course the glue of the whole display was Jocie Adams. She's an incredible multi-instrumentalist, song writer who cultivated all of these songs while playing the Nord & guitar and handling the vocal duties.
 |
| Chelsea Mitchell, August John Lutz II, Kyle Perella, |
If nine new tracks from an artist who has graced stages across the globe wasn't enough; local act, Levee Drivers had agreed to "open" the show. The Levee Drivers normally bring a lively Johnny Cash meets Glen Danzig, Americana meets Rock sound to venues all around the Philadelphia area. In this case, they showcased a lighter side with the stripped down lineup of August John Lutz II on guitar and vocals, Kyle Perella on lap steel and mandolin & Chelsea Mitchell on backing vocals and mandolin.
Levee Drivers set list @ Root Down In The Shadow
 |
| August John Lutz II |
2. Late Night Bar Room Two Step ** new **
3. Bound By That Ride unreleased original
4. Hell Bent Blues ** new **
5. Old 45's unreleased original
6. Northbound Heartbreak ** new **
** there were a few more songs, but this is what I recorded.. I was having too much fun watching this unfold in my living room to write down the rest**
Amongst the tracks played, six of them were recorded including three new, 1 revamped original and 2 unreleased originals. The comfort level of the Levee Drivers was great. The intimate setting really let them show off their wares, as they played without microphones or restrictions. The band, playing in front of a comfortably packed living room, might as well had been playing in front of the mirror as the traditional seperation between artist and fan was gone as they sat next to and later mingled with fans and friends in the room.
But it doesn't get much better than playing with one of your best friends and girlfriend. August took it to another level with his candor. He joked about his limited shtick, his squeaky stool, and even belched mid song to break up the moment during 'Northbound Heartbreak'. Check out the video for 'Old 45's. If that isn't relaxed, nothing is.
Don't mind the bouncy video; it gets better during the recording. We were having so much fun, that August decided to cheer for the guy who went to the bathroom during the break and came out mid-song! Keep an eye out at 1:25
The set wasn't just fooling around by the band in the chill environment. Kyle showed off his lap steel skills, and you could see and hear the harmony with August and Chelsea!. If fans were not eager tp update their amount of Levee Driver recordings, they certainly will be after seeing some of these stripped shows before a release comes out later this year!
 |
| Chelsea Mitchell & August John Lutz II |
Be sure to check back to Soundcloud and YouTube for more postings from this show. Also, be sure to check for coverage of this week's SoFar Sounds show featuring the Levee Drivers coming from a secret location somewhere in Philly, with a mostly secret line up!
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