Root Down in the Shadow

Written by contributor Mariel Lorenz With only a few hours left of 2014 around and seeing other end of year/best of music lists, I thought why didn't I put together my favorite songs/albums/concerts of 2014. Fortunately, my friend Michael had done one and was kind enough to let me share his. Michael Hochman is a marketing expert, writer, ex TV programmer, and a huge fan of many bands from Canada. For the last couple of years he has put together his own year end lists (50 in alphabetical order) which you can see here and here . He adds his own thoughts to why a particular song made his list and he includes a You Tube playlist of all the songs, so you can start listening instantly. For 2014, Michael found that there were only 40 songs he wanted to include this year and he had ranked them. We talk about music a lot and certainly we will talk about this list. But isn't that's what so great about having other friends passionate about music? When you both like a band

This Friday, Mat Burke will be gracing the Kung Fu Necktie stage for the Still Bleeding EP release show.  Joined by some of the most exciting rockers in Philly: The Rivals, Penrose , and August John Lutz II of Levee Drivers ; it stands to be a wild night of music.   Mat Burke - Photo by Elizabeth Thorpe If the album title is any indication, Philadelphia's Mat Burke will be ready to bleed for us.  With his new EP Still Bleeding he's visiting a theme he's been capturing for some time.  According to Mat, "everyone bleeds not only in a physical sense but a singer bleeds every time he steps on stage, a teacher bleeds every time she talks to a class, an artist bleeds with every stroke of a brush."  Burke normally plays solo so this makes total sense that he's "still bleeding," sharing his stories as he takes the full brunt of talkative crowds without support of band mates. Theme aside, on his new EP his music is taken to new heights. 

Add caption Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia celebrated a fabulous 3 years this November!  With an as-always diverse line-up the super-secret house concert showcase continued to delight fans.  From burgeoning talent, to genre hopping to the unexpected, the November show was a night to remember! First up was Matt Phillips , a young pup hailing from North Carolina.  While he looks young enough to have ridden his BMX to the show, he's got the chops of an old-timer.  Nary opening his eyes during the whole set, his happiness was infectious as he played solo with his acoustic guitar.  "Move" was a vibrant number with his fingers all over the neck as he sang along.   His "Mediterranean Blues" had a simplistic vocal style reminiscent of James Taylor , while he played with a soulful innocence and his heart on his sleeve. Matt Phillips MATT PHILLIPS - Setlist November 2014 - Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia Coffee                               unreleased original