Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia - November / Elijah and the Moon / Aaron & the Spell / Cruiser / Our Griffins / Vanessa Ingram / Avi Wisna - November 15th, 2013

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 before and I didn't know who was going to be playing until I stepped in the door.  Then you just hang, enjoy some music, and take it all in.  As a fan, it's one of the purest ways to hear these artists."

Earlier this year, some fans were asked what they expected from the shows:

Ironically, for the Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia coordinators Ken Winneg and Carolyn Lederach one of their biggest thrills for the series wasn't one of the pre-arranged performers, but an accompanying vocalist.  Back in March of 2013, Adam Taylor brought his long-time collaborator Katie Seifarth, who did the lead vocals for a song.  Her unexpected and stunning vocals (look back at the March review) were just one of the many highlights for the two year reign that Sofar Sounds has held on Philadelphia living rooms and interesting spaces.  The Lawsuits, Ron Gallo, the Districts, Kingsley Flood, Sean Hoots, Unlikely Candidates, Hezekiah Jones, Maitland, Caleb Hawley, The Hill and Wood, are just the start of what Sofar Sounds will present to Philadelphia.

November 2013 - Sofar Sounds: Philadelpia 

2 Year Anniversary!!

Aaron And The Spell - Philadelphia, PA 

For the 2 year anniversary show of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia, it's fitting that alum Aaron Brown would kick off the scene.  Just as the show expanded to six acts for the blow-out show in the University City section of town, Aaron Brown, who played solo last time, brought some friends with him to play.  With members of "The Spell", Allison Polans, Imani Roach, and Adam Zielinski in tow, they played a special four song set featuring two songs from the acclaimed Sing and two unreleased tracks.  The songs ranged from powerful to sincere to soothing and lullaby-esque then back to powerful again. 

AaronAndTheSpell.com

Aaron Brown -Vocals, Guitar

Imani Roach - Vocals

Adam Zielinski - Guitar

Allison Polans - Vocals

Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia       set list 11-15-2013 
           Track                                         RELEASE  
-By My Side                                            Sing  

-Don't Cry                                                Sing  

-Believe In You                              unreleased original

-Bleed Me Dry                               unreleased original

Aaron & The Spell - By My Side | Sofar Philadelphia (#539)

Vanessa Ingram - Philadelphia, PA 

Great spoken word is so similar to a great song.  If done well, the message sticks no matter if you come from the same place or not.  Sometimes the lyrics stick better if you share a similar experience, but great lyrics and prose cross the threshold of your psyche.  The only flaw I could see from Vanessa's performance was a nervous rushing in the beginning.  Otherwise, she was quick, pointed, and succinct.  She was poignant, raw, and apologetic even.  Even better just after a quick 10 minutes, we had our social awareness for the evening, presented by the young Vanessa Ingram.  Banter to prose, song to banter, prose to banter again; she breezed through her set, leaving the crowd with a great exposure to Spoken Word.  Although known for her prose, she also sang wonderfully.  Unexpectedly it was her lyrics that were the signature of the set.  Her lyrics stuck with you like wordy gifts, leaving the crowd to want to hear the works again.  

Here's a taste of the lines that stuck with this writer after the set:

"so fucking sassy and just three credits shy of classy"

"daddy, love your princess a little harder"

"some days I wish for her death, just so her body could rest"

Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia       set list 11-15-2013 
           Track                                         RELEASE  
-Together                                                   **

-Case #2010Y                           

-Beautiful                             

-Thank You   
** Vanessa Ingram is working on an EP of spoken word and songs. With any luck the featured performances will make their way to the EP!! 

Vanessa Ingram - Beautiful | Sofar Philadelphia (#538)

Avi Wisnia - Philadelphia, PA 

Leave it to Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia to throw you a curveball.  Not wanting to be possibly outdone for their 2 year anniversary show, the Philly crew brought out an unexpected band for the third slot on the bill.  A little New York jazz, a little Bucks co sincerity, and a lot of creativity, Avi Wisnia was a delight.  

The Sofar Philly crew continually surprises with band after band that fans didn't know but leave them walking away intrigued by.  Just as unexpected as Avi Wisnia was, so were some of the instruments.  The trio, made use of fans with some well timed shhhhhhhhhhhhh's on top of Avi Wisnia's chill vocals and jazz melodica, Chris Hines' acoustic drumming and Toru Takiguchi's jazz guitar beats.  

AviWisnia.com

Avi Wisnia - Vocals, Melodica, Organ
Chris Hines - Drums
Toru Takiguchi - Electric Guitar
Crowd - ooohs and shhhh's

Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia       set list 11-15-2013 
Track                                          RELEASE
-Sky Blue Sky                         upcoming album
-New Year                              upcoming album
-Simple Words                       upcoming album
-It's Your Turn                        upcoming album

Avi Wisnia - Simple Words

Our Griffins - Easton, PA 

Sometimes a room and a band just mesh!  The right crowd, the right acoustics, the right songs, the right moment!  That type of synergy happened with Our Griffins at Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia.  Playing four songs from the recently released Michael Boyd, the fellas from Easton, PA really entranced the room.  Three quarters acoustic with just an electric guitar, they had little touches that were unique: from the exceptionally hushed librarian tones of Dj Brown to the interesting method of taking a bow to the side of a xylophone, and various brushes for drumming.  They all meshed together with the great guitar parts.

OurGriffins.com

DJ Brown - vocals, guitar
Travis Hobbie - electric guitar, vocals
Alex Luquet - upright bass
John Kimuck - drums

Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia       set list 11-15-2013 
           Track                                         RELEASE  
-Blood On My Sleeves                       Michael Boyd

-My Cousin All Grown Up                 Michael Boyd

-Nodding In A Basement                    Michael Boyd

-Not Here Entirely                              Michael Boyd

Our Griffins - Not Entirely Here

Elijah and the Moon #5 - Woodstock, NY 

From listening to Elijah and the Moon this fall, I was caught by surprised when Elijah Wolf-Christensen and Gianluca Minucci took to the front of the room.  Based on the robust and vibrant sounds of the Elijah and the Moon albums As Tall As The Sun and The Lonesome World Beyond The Trees, I expected more.  While the duo represented only one half of the full Elijah and the Moon, they more than capably depicted their songs in this intimate setting.  With no violin, no bass, no drums, their sound was complete with two acoustic guitars, a full range of Mumford-y stomps, and great harmonies between Elijah and Gianluca.  In a rarity for a Sofar Sounds show, the crowd was asked to take to their feet and sing along for a special 'Maps & Compass.'

ElijahAndTheMoon.com

Elijah Wolf-Christensen-Vocals, Guitar
Gianluca Minucci - Guitar, vocals

Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia       set list 11-15-2013 
           Track                                         RELEASE  
-'Build These Walls'                     As Tall As The Sun   

-'Winter Trees'                      The Lonesome World Beyond the Trees    

-'Stompin'                             The Lonesome World Beyond the Trees

-'When You Were Born'       The Lonesome World Beyond the Trees   

-'Maps & Compass'                     As Tall As The Sun 

Elijah & The Moon - Winter Trees | Sofar Philadelphia (#539)

Cruiser - Philadelphia, PA 

Andy States of Cruiser

Cruiser took things a step further away from the norm at a Sofar Sounds show for their set.  Three quarters plugged in, Cruiser slowed down their surf pop rhythms to the dismay of the confused crowd.  Presenting a sort of slow-dance versions of the pop wonders from Cruiser EP, the band was somewhat off expctations for some fans, however if you come to a Sofar Sounds: Philadelpia show expecting an album rendition, you are coming to the wrong place.  New single 'Kidnap Me' was a success, as validated by the crowd chorus.  After getting a taste of their live performance, and loving the Cruiser EP, I'd like to see them fully plugged in and poppy!


CruiserMusic.com

Andy States -Vocals, Guitar
Kyle Cook - Bass
Jose Lazas - Guitar
Jonathan van Dine - Drums

Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia set list 11-15-2013
Track RELEASE -

-'Don't Go Alone'                               Cruiser EP

-'Home Turf'                                      Cruiser EP-

-'Souvenir'                                         Cruiser EP

-'The Fritz'                                         Cruiser EP

-"Kidnap Me'                                   Kidnap Me single

Cruiser - Kidnap Me | Sofar Philadelphia (#539)