Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia September '14 recap : Liam Bailey, Tutlie, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, Christopher KP Brown, & Morningsiders

Show poster by Jennifer Prough

Ahh, Sofar Sounds, that wonderful international phenomenon sweeping the globe that brings an eager group of music fans to living rooms and hip places to see bands large and small play intimate shows each month. Ever since the first Sofar Sounds I went to, back in Jan '13, I've been absolutely hooked.  It's really the best of all worlds for the music fan with amazing international acts, national touring bands, fabulous local bands, the best music fans to be-friend, acoustic/stripped/re-configured/interesting song arrangements, great homes &hosts, and plenty of other reasons to keep coming back for more.  In the last two years, showing up to these select locations it's been surprise after surprise worthy sharing with all my musical friends.

The September show was yet another success by the Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia crew (Carolyn Lederach, Ken Winneg, & Davis Howley).  They brought us back to the Fishtown/Kensington neighborhood for the full gambit, a UK band, spoken word, local bands, and touring band.  They even had artist Frank Kolbmann on-site creating during the musical performances.

Christopher K.P. Brown

Christopher K.P. Brown, a Philly local by way of Arkansas, DC & more, started off the night.  The
Sofar Sounds alum (NYC & PHILLY) made his third Philly appearance for the house concert series.  After a quick spoken word etiquette refresher from KP, the crowd kept finding many excuses to snap their fingers in appreciation.  Lots of the snap responses started off in recognition of KP's self-aware prose but the crowd moved on from appreciative to impressed as his performance continued.

Christopher's set was mainly a repeat of his performance in early '13 at a West Philly Sofar Sounds appearance, but it was still so fresh.  "Death vs. Destiny" a reflection on young Black males and their uncomfortable reality that many of them die so young, not making it past 25 and live somewhat expecting it to happen just that way.  The poem is tragically current and constant, as youths like Michael Brown & Trayvon Martin continue to make headlines.  He mentions at the end of the poem that it "ain't the last time I'll read this poem."  Hopefully, things change like they have for Christopher, who now past 25 himself and starting his 30's is a burgeoning entrepreneur.  This "fave piece I hate performing" could only be better if it was no longer relevant. 

A very animated "New day" exclaims that poetry "is meant for the masses, not on dusty bookshelves or in coffeehouses where struggles don't exist."   It also reminds that it's "a new day for poetry" where the poets should get paid properly (not free).  "DAMN I thought you knew!"

Christopher K.P. Brown  - September, 2014
       song title                         album
1. Whole Foods              Since 1984
2. Death vs. Destiny       Since 1984
3. Remember Me            Since 1984
4. New Day                    Dancing With Scars - October 2011

Morningsiders 

Morningsiders

From NYC, recent grads and Sofar Sounds: New York City alums, Morningsiders were the first band of the night.  The band comfortably perched in the front of the room, sitting on drums and windowsills showed off their wonderful timbre matching the trumpet & tenor guitar combined with Local Natives/Fleet Foxes-ish harmonies.   While still young. they were all over the map with style and influences, including Old-timey and Americana.  They already had a song about the summer after graduation, which they were just finishing, but in an interesting juxtaposition, they also had their song "Twenty-Five" a reflective song looking back at ages in their life that haven't even occurred for them yet.


Morningsiders  - September, 2014
    set list
1. Dots
2. Bedless Blues
3. Cement and Sunshine
4. Twenty-Five / Sail Away Ladies

Tutlie

Jessie Radlow & Rebecca Way of Tutlie

While, Morningsiders were a band figuring out their sound.  Tutlie is a band that is closer to
perfecting their vibe!  Jessie Radlow and co, all six members of the avant garde troupe came ready to play stripped yet vibrant versions of their songs.   Anyone who has seen Tutlie perform live can attest to the symphony of sounds brought forth, complete with visual stimulation.  For their Sofar Sounds set, they played two songs from their newly pressed vinyl Young Cries and one song that is only currently released only on their Key Session.

"Sky In Your Bones" was their standard Dream-Pop/Baroque, while on "Giantess" Asher Brooks meshed his ukulele with the lovely lady harmony between Rebecca Way & Jessie Radlow.  The third and regrettably final song "Kaito" a sort of Japanese Folklore tale, the concept for the next album, featured Lucius-style dual female lead vocals over an expansive band.

For those wishing to see more of Tutlie, catch them and final act, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, at the 5th TJ KONG HALLOWEEN COSTUME BALL ROCK N ROLL MURDERSHOW at  UNDERGROUND ARTS on 10/31.  And, you can also catch them at the Little Big League Record Release with Lvl Up, and Spirit of the Beehive at Johnny Brenda's on 11/7!

Tutlie   - September, 2014
  song title                         album
Sky In Your Bones    Young Cries
Giantess                    Young Cries
Kaito                        unreleased original

Liam Bailey

 

Liam Bailey was a complete surprise from the UK.  Hailing from London Nottingham, he came to the secret show location midway through the night and played solo and acoustic, sharing an enjoyable vibe.  While his new album is a sonically full affair, his Sofar Sounds set was simplistic just as his dress, which was all black, down to his Converse.  His set was a great introduction for any new Liam Bailey fan, with four songs including three from the brand new Definitely Now.  The songs selected, included the powerful "On My Mind" the sweet "Summer Rain", and they lyrically beautiful "Battle Hymn of Central London."

Somewhat detached, and maybe distracted, the set wasn't as impactful as I would hope in hindsight, replaying the songs from the album.  It's truly ironic, as we talked at between sets about the sheer enjoyment of playing these shows, remarking how the connection with fans is so much better at these intimate house shows. 

Liam Bailey   - September, 2014
  song title                                             album
1. Nobody Stands to Reason
2. On My Mind                                Definitely Now
3. Summer Rain                               Definitely Now
4. Battle Hymn of Central London  Definitely Now

TJ Kong & The Atomic Bomb

TJ Kong & The Atomic Bomb was the final act of the night.  The four piece made up of Dan's & Josh's were a little Tonk, a little Americana, a little Philly, a little New Orleans, and a lot of fun.  This animated crew captivates and mesmerizes, but don't get too close as they shake& stomps, especially with front-man Dan B's 6'4-ish frame.

TJ Kong & The Atomic Bomb were plugged in, but didn't need a mic.  They played their rowdy-tonk "John Wilkes Booth" from their Daytrotter Session to start things off.  Staying boisterous, they played "Friday Night Guy' next. Their last song was supposed to be the sexy new "Snakeskin" from the Kong EP but the band called an audible and made a last minute decision to add "Rock N Roll Club Bathroom Cocaine Blues" to their set.  Taking it up a few notches from their version on Manufacturing Joy, they skipped the two minute intro and ramped up the intensity to close out their set.

TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb   - September, 2014
  song title                                                             album
John Wilkes Booth                                           unreleased original
Friday Night Guy                                              Manufacturing Joy
Snakeskin                                                             Kong
Rock N Roll Club Bathroom Cocaine Blues   Manufacturing Joy


Keep an eye out for news on the Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia Anniversary show, celebrating 3 years of secret shows in Philly.