Root Down in the Shadow

This week, the session of the new Philadelphia-centric music series #CoverClub, features Chelsea Mitchell at Break Neck Studios where she covered the Lawsuits !  She did the song in one amazing take, so there was plenty of time to record one of her unreleased originals. 'Shake All Over' is one of the first, of a new batch of songs from Chelsea, to surface to the web.  She released a fabulous EP this spring, Married In The Aviary , but she's moving right ahead with new songs.  If you are keeping an eye out for Chelsea Mitchell on the concert calendar, be sure to also look for her new outfit, Dirty Dollhouse , featuring two more knockouts, Amber Twait and Vanessa Winters.  But to give you a head start, here's a show to put down on your calendar: 01-09-2014 Amanda Shires / August John Lutz II / Chelsea Mitchell - Milkboy Cover Club | Chelsea Mitchell "Shake All Over"

For those of you who 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." **Unless noted, ** All photos from Lindsey Borgman** Links to earlier SofarSounds: Philadelphia reviews November 15th University City - Philadelphia, PA Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia's November 2013 show marked the 2 year anniversary of the most special music series to hit the banks of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.  In anticipation of this momentous show, I had asked some friends what have been the surprises, favorites, and overall thoughts of the preceding shows. The best synopsis came from my pal, concert buddy, and site contributor Mariel Lorenz : " There is nothing quite like your first time.  The secrecy surrounding a show is a little thrilling in itself.  I didn't know where to go until a few days befor

Your band name:   Dominic Angelella/Drgn King Style: Kitchen Sink music. I like loud guitars and synthesizers and cool lyrics. Years on the Scene: I moved here nine years ago to come to college and have moved through countless bands and met lots of interesting and nice people.   Current Project and/or Members: Drgn King is my child and I love it.  Joe Baldacci plays drums, Steve Montenegro plays bass, Brent Reynolds plays synths and tambourines and oversees all the music.  Brendan Mulvihill (current Philadelphia expatriate and member of Norwegian Arms ) plays guitar.  Zach Goldstein is our engineer and he's been helping us record at Kawari Sound in Elkins Park.   Any new album projects? Sessions in the works? We released our first record Paragraph Nights earlier this year and tour a good amount. We're recording our new record which will probably be out next summer at Kawari Sound, which is an amazing studio. Recent and/or most unique/excit

Earlier this year here at the indie Philly blog, Root Down In The Shadow, we started the fun series #Philly Presents , ...bands writing about other bands. The most common reaction from bands to this project: "Wait? Are we covering other bands?" And so #CoverClub was born!  On November 11th, we premiered Cover Club, "A special brand of Philly covers". The bands will typically be Philly bands covering other Philly bands, but in some cases like Joe Fletcher, we could be including a national act in the rotation as well. These covers could be old school Philly, current Philly, anything Philly related. Each Monday we will release a cover, with an original from the session being released on the Wednesday of the same week! The third installment of #CoverClub features Chelsea Mitchell , covering The Lawsuits ' "Fine Quality (Coffee Flour Sugar Tea)".   Before scrolling down to the video, be sure to check out the details on the song and the cover!  

This week, Kevin Killen played a cover of Philly legend Ben Arnold for #CoverClub!  While he hasn't been in the scene as long as Ben Arnold, Kevin Killen has certainly put his stamp on the scene! Just soak in what happened at Tuesday's Philly Sings Philly as the tip of the iceberg.   Psalmships' Joshua Britton was on stage, covering a Kevin Killen song 'Oh The Ground' from Laurelwood Road .  It was the last song of his set and going fantastically.  There had been some short set changes, so it didn't see too weird that two guys from Hezekiah Jones jumped on stage, but then two more went up and they were plugging in.  All five members of Hezekiah Jones were now on stage and started playing the song as well.   Momentarily all six musicians are playing in unison before Joshua unplugs and steps off stage, leaving the Hezekiah Jones crew playing the rest of the song, completing one of the most unique stage transitions I've ever been witness to!   Wow!  B

No Philly music project could be complete without including Kevin Killen, considering his large impact on the Philadelphia music scene.  So far this year, I've witnessed Kevin solo, accompanied by Sarah Larsen , as part of Brad Hinton 's band, drumming and writing for Ali Wadsworth, and drumming for the Levee Drivers .  Beyond that, he's part of Psalmships , and Hezekiah Jones .  Also this year, he produced Homesteady for Tin Bird Choir and much, much more!     Photo by Jeff Coon If somehow he didn't get on your radar for any of those outfits, Kevin Killen has played with Chris Kasper (live shows), Chris Bathgate (tour member in 2011), Small Houses (played drums on North ), Joe D'Amico (drums live ), and Wissahickon Chicken Shack . So when I asked Kevin Killen to be a part of #CoverClub, I didn't even ask what he might be playing.  Kevin is an integral part of such a broad swath of the Philadelphia music scene, he would have so much to pick from thro

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! We're finally through the series.. The first seven segments can be found on YouTube:  "Mile Marker 1"        Mile Marker 3 "We're THE Kopecky FAMILY" Mile Marker 2 "Making It At Home In Nashville"   "When did you know" "This Is What It's All About"  Advice for Up & comers More Advice Here's the final segment: "Favorite Song of Kids Raising

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! We're nearly through the series.. The first six segments can be found on YouTube:  "Mile Marker 1"        Mile Marker 3 "We're THE Kopecky FAMILY" Mile Marker 2 "Making It At Home In Nashville"   "When did you know" "This Is What It's All About"  Advice for Up & comers Now.. 7 of 8....  "More Advice" Check back Thursday for th

This week, Christopher Davis-Shannon played a version of Brad Hinton's 'Mourning Dove' for the inaugural release of Cover Club.  With hindsight it was clearly a perfect pick, but it took a certain amount of serendipity to make it happen! Photo by Jeff Coon I was first introduced to Christopher Davis-Shannon by mistake!?!  The quick version of the story goes like this:  A friend tagged a picture on Instagram of Davis Howley of Commonwealth Choir .  Turns out the "wrong" Davis was tagged, but a response of "I'm not the right Davis, but I like your pic" was gained! I first saw "Topher" playing with Dani Mari at the Brandywine Folk Festival.    I made sure I had the "right" Davis that time when I met him in person! Christopher Davis-Shannon again popped into the peripheral when playing with Chelsea Mitchell recently at Johnny Brenda's!   Peter Joseph, who was also playing that night, is the audio engineer of Break N

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! The first five segments can be found on YouTube: "Mile Marker 1":                                                   Mile Marker 3 "We're THE Kopecky FAMILY" Mile Marker 2 "Making It At Home In Nashville"   "When did you know" "This Is What It's All About" AND NOW.... Part 6(of 8)   Advice for Up & Comers Check back throughout the month for more

Kwesi K Kwesi K is ______!  Kwesi K is a songwriter.  Kwesi K is a football player turned singer.  Kwesi K is a mild-mannered Mid-westerner finding his way in the North East.  Kwesi K is an old soul with Ghanaian heritage.  Kwesi K is comfort!  He soothes with 'Whiskey Wit', he picks you up with 'By My Side' and 'Fold'.  He fits in at a big festival, he fits in at a house concert, he's whatever you need him to be.  On Tuesday, he was a Philly local premiering his new tunes, at the Tin Ange l, for his Pronouns EP release! Kwesi K is humility!  Before taking the stage, front and center with band mates, Alma Cook (vocals), Jon Colman (upright) and Greg Matthews (electric guitar), he gladly stood aside and gave fellow tour mate Alma center stage performing her original song, 'For A Poet'.  Wow!  Think Mariah Carey meets Ingrid Michaelson . Alma Cook, Kwesi K, Jon Colman (rear), Greg Matthews Kwesi K is seasoned pro!  Kwesi weaved in

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! The first four segments can be found on YouTube : "Mile Marker 1":                                                                          Mile Marker 3 "We're THE Kopecky FAMILY"                                                                               Mile Marker 2 "Making It At Home In Nashville"                                  "When did you know" AND NOW.... Part 5(of 8) 

Christopher Davis-Shannon , a preeminent upright bass player in the Philadelphia scene, is into two things: Simplicity and honoring the eras past.  Mostly this manifests with folk music. "I have a love for real traditional, dirty, authentic music," says Christopher Davis Shannon. Christopher is a magnet for these types of bands and projects.  Whether it's solo with his guitar, or playing upright with Lover's League , Dani Mari , April Mae & the June Bugs or Bill Haley Jr. & the Comets ; Davis-Shannon is likely to be involved if harkens back to the earlier traditional music. It's only natural that when selecting an artist for Cover Club, that Christopher Davis-Shannon would select Brad Hinton.  Christopher was hooked after listening to the Brad Hinton On The Hill session!  It was exactly what Davis-Shannon loves, "short, to the point, no bull-shit, well crafted, no showing off!"  Ironically Brad Hinton is somewhat of a kindred spirit for

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! Here are the first three segments:            "Mile Marker 1":                                        Mile Marker 3 "we're THE Kopecky FAMILY"   Mile Marker 2 "Making It At Home" AND NOW.... Part 4 (of 8)When did you know big things were happening? Check back throughout the month for more parts of the interview!  All eight will be revealed, leading up to the concert at the

NEW LIVE INITIATIVE CONTINUES IN NORTH AMERICA The Communion Tour continues in the United States for its second month.  Molded from the successful '20 “Austin to Boston Tour” (featuring Ben Howard, Nathaniel Rateliff, The Staves and Bear’s Den ) Communion started a tour bringing different artists to nine cities each month: New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Bloomington, Louisville, Nashville, Minneapolis, Madison and Rock Island. The second series, in November, will feature Tennis , Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Savoire Adore , On An On and additional support from local artists.  Looking back at October..... The Communion Philadelphia session, at the nearly sold-out Johnny Brenda's was quite an event.  Thinking in terms of founders Ben Lovett (of Mumford & Sons) and Kevin Jones (Bear's Den ) as the brains behind the Communion tour, and seeing Willy Mason , Birdie Busch and Roadkill Ghost Choir on the bill, I expected somewhat of a r