Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia - May Concert Review with Andrew Lipke / New Sweden / Toy Soldiers / The Lawsuits - May 5th 2013

For those of you that don't know what Sofar Sounds is here is their story:  "We have created a movement which brings music lovers together in secret living room locations to hear some of the world's most cutting edge artists."


May 5th was a celebration for many in the Philadelphia area.  Many people were out having fun, grilling and chilling Cinco De Mayo style, and enjoying the great spring weather.   For music enthusiasts it marked a celebration of two blossoming organizations; Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia and Tri State Indie.  The two music organizations have crossed paths many times with bands featured on the Sofar shows also gracing the pages of the TriStateIndie site.  Even better, at the 2nd annual Tri State Indie awards many of the Sofar alumni bands were winners of the fan voted Tri State Indie Awards.

When it was announced that Tri State Indie was going to host the event, the buzz around the May show was electric.  Although fans didn't know who was going to play, they knew it was going to be beyond special!  This Sunday night crowd was filled with people not ready to let go of the weekend, ready to let Sofar Sounds: Philadlephia take over their evening.  A high quotient of music enthusiasts arrived ready for the romantic idea of entering someone's home with no preconceived notion of what the bands they would see sounded like. 

Andrew Lipke - Philadelphia, PA

The May lineup started with a sudden quiet falling over the room.  Yet again, Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia, scored a Philly veteran to anchor their lineup.   The fans in the room quickly picked up on the respect being shown by the other bands in attendance and hunkered down for an exquisite show with Andrew Lipke and Rebecca Harris.   

For Andrew Lipke and Rebecca Harris, their set was only part of their day's excitement.   Rebecca Harris, a Philadelphia Orchestra member & frequent collaborator as part of the The Azrael String Quartet, had just come from the the Bach Festival of Philadelphia: Bach B minor Mass, meanwhile Andrew Lipke's day had yet to begin with his family soon to expand by one!

Andrew Lipke played what was expected to be an abbreviated playing two unreleased song followed by one of his "Apocalyptic vignettes" 'Hosana' from the Plague.  Fortunately, time allowed for more, so Andrew Lipke, who also plays with Get the Led Out, soundly filled out the set with a Led Zeppelin cover of  'Going to California'.


Andrew Lipke - vocals & acoustic guitar
Rebecca Harris - Violin

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Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia   set list 5-5-2013 
           Track                                         RELEASE
1.  'The One'                                        previously unreleased
2.  'The Old Man and the Sea'             previously unreleased**
3.  'Hosana'                                           the Plague
4.  'Going To California'                      Cover - Led Zeppelin

** unreleased until Friday May 17th when it will be on the Mad Dragon Records 10th Anniversary Compilation 

Keep an eye out for an upcoming work "... loosely based on the story "Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse" which will contain a version of  'The One'.

*June 14th - Andrew Lipke is performing with the Mid Atlantic Symphony Orchestra performing some of his original music with the orchestra!


New Sweden - Wilmington, DE

Wilmington folk revivalist band, New Sweden, might be from Delaware, but they still play a big part in the Philadelphia scene.  Winners of Tri State Indie awards two years in a row (2012 -DELAWARE INDIE BAND OF THE YEAR), they were a clear choice for this celebratory lineup.  New Sweden is similar to Spirit Family Reunion, whereas they take turns with the vocals in the family type band, but unlike Spirit Fam, the members frequently instrument swap between songs. Reminiscent of other trending folk bands such as the Kopecky Family Band, and the Lumineers, New Sweden shouldn't take long to be part of the conversation when looking at large scale festivals such as XPoNential or even Newport Folk Festival.

Big sound aside, they fit right at home playing amongst friends in the headquarters of Tri State Indie.  New Sweden played songs mainly from their brand new, self titled, self recorded EP(and FREE) to the very receptive crowd.









New Sweden are

Dan Weirauch ~ bass, vocals, organ
James Dukenfield ~ vocals, banjo, mandolin, organ
Laura Beth Jewell ~ violin fiddle, vocals
William Dobies ~ vocals, guitar, harmonica
Zac Dukenfield ~ drums, hand-percussion

playing without Chuck Knott ~ mandolin, organ, vocals

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Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia   set list 5-5-2013 
           Track                                         RELEASE
1.  'Down The Line'                          New Sweden EP 
2.  'Chanson de Train'                       New Sweden EP 
3.  'Frying Pan'                               previously unreleased
4.  'Way Up North'                            New Sweden EP 

Upcoming Shows:
June 1st - Milkboy
July 21st - Turk's Head Music Fest (West Chester)
July 27th - Milkboy Coffee (Ardmore)
August 10th - Musikfest - Liederplatz

Toy Soldiers - Philadelphia, PA

In the months before releasing their upcoming premier album The Maybe Boys are preparing for tours with established acts such as Joe Fletcher, Andrew Combs, and J. Roddy Walston & the Business.   For now, they are enjoying the time amongst their friends and supporters, taking the chance to play house concerts while they still can.   With support such as The Maybe Trails tour documentary and an upcoming Kickstarter campaign it won't be much longer.

The, Tri State Indie - INDIE ROCK BAND OF THE YEAR, Toy Soldiers didn't rely on their old standby's instead taking four lesser known, but equally as promising tracks from their upcoming album for the crowd.  Fully plugged in, the band rocked away on their set, holding nothing back.  

Toy Soldiers are:
Ron Gallo - vocals, harmonica, guitar
Dominic Billett - drums, vocals
Matt Kelly - guitar
Luke Leidy - keyboards
Bill McCloskey - bass

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Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia   set list 5-5-2013 
           Track                                                     RELEASE
1.  'Been Here All My Days'                          Been Here All My Days single
2.  'Tomorrow To Today'                       **on upcoming full-length The Maybe Boys ** 
3.  'Weeping Willow'                             **on upcoming full-length The Maybe Boys ** 
4.  'Forgot How It Used To Be'             **on upcoming full-length The Maybe Boys ** 


Upcoming Shows:
August 16th - Philadelphia Folk Festival


The Lawsuits - Philadelphia, PA 

Having played the very first, Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show and recently winning the PHILADELPHIA INDIE BAND OF THE YEAR , the Lawsuits were the clear choice to play the final slot in the Tri State Indie/Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia showcase.

Fittingly in the new digs for the Tri State HQ, the Lawsuits played four songs including 3 from the yet to be released Cool Cool Cool.  The first number was 'Dreaming #26' which was the 2nd time it was played live.  The oohs and ahhs turned five part harmony are sure to be a show highlight for years to come.  Ron Gallo from the Toy Soldiers joined in on harmonica for some revival rock with 'Ebony Rose'.  The mesmerizing end was Vanessa Winters taking the vocal reins on 'You Won't Love Me If You Don't' a re-working of an older Brian Dale Allen Strouse solo track 'Walk You Home'.



The Lawsuits are:Brian Dale Allen Strouse - Guitar/Vocals
Brendan Cunningham - Bass
Vanessa Winters - Vocals
Josh Friedman - Drums
Noah Skaroff - Banjo, Guitar, Slide, Sax, etc...

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Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia   set list 5-5-2013 
           Track                                                 RELEASE
1.  'Dreaming #26'                                    **on upcoming full-length, Cool Cool Cool**
2.  'Ebony Rose'                                               Numbers EP
3.  'Onion'                                                 **on upcoming full-length, Cool Cool Cool**   
4.  'you Won't Love Me If You Don't'      **on upcoming full-length, Cool Cool Cool**

Upcoming Shows:
June 7th - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia) for Chelsea Mitchell EP release show!!
June 15th - Rock to the Future (Philadelphia)
July 20th - Triumph Brewery (New Hope)
August 16th - Philadelphia Folk Festival