Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia, where has the year gone? Already the June show has come and gone and already the July and August shows are being planned. Too much time has passed without a recap; so with no further ado: Best of Sounds: Philadelphia 2015 ... so far... (plus Dec 2014).
December 2014: Brian Dale Allen Strouse (of the Lawsuits) /
Dominic Angelella (of DRGN King) /
The Naked Sun / The Kalob Griffin Band
The December '14 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show was one of the best on record. Ugly Sweaters, food donations for Philabundance, and an all local-lineup at this super cool Fishtown former candy shop turned apartment. For this holiday show, each band was asked to be prepared with a holiday song each. Just as each Sofar show is typically extra special with stripped down instrumentation and personnel, the holiday song choices for the event were also non-standard. Brian Dale Allen Strouse, was probably the safest with a rendition of "Blue Christmas", while The Naked Sun performed "Christmas Lights (Paul Baribeau cover) and Dominic Angelella did a Vince Guaraldi medley. Two Root Down In The Shadow favorite front men, Dominic Angelella and Brian Dale Allen Strouse, both played stripped down & heart felt sets, but it was the raucous set by Kalob Griffin Band that stole the show. They absolutely had the performance of the night with their Paul Kelly cover of "How To Make Gravy", the quintessential song about writing home from jail during the holidays. KGB was had a super tight set, even with most of the band just learning the "gravy" cover earlier that day. Be sure to check out their "Full Love" performance added below!
Brian Dale Allen Strouse "Trying To Forget You"
Dominic Angelella - "Undertow"
The Naked Sun - "Cosmic Winds"
Kalob Griffin Band - "Full Love"
The January show kicked off 2015 in style. At a hip center-city apartment, fans were happy to get out of the cold and squeeze together for some music. This all out-of-towner lineup featured The Yetis from Allentown, The Upperfields from Ottsville, PA (Bucks County), and Anthony D'Amato from NYC.
New songs were the norm of the night, but Sofar alumni Anthony D'Amato took this to new heights. On the way to the show, he mentioned to that he had a new song he had been writing on the train down to Philly. He must have been excited to exercise it from his head, as it was easy to convince him to debut it live that night. Minutes after making some writing the final verse and making alterations in a bedroom amongst some winter coats, D'Amato debuted "Oh My Goodness" to the Sofar Sounds crowd.
Upperfields - "Untethered Bells"
The Yetis - "Where You Goin' "
Anthony D'Amato - "Oh My Goodness"
February 2015:
Quincy Mumford / Ladybird / Bill McCloskey / Shark Tape
Sofar Sounds stands for Songs for a room. But not all rooms are created equal. Most Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia shows have been what you would expect for a secret "house show", but the February 2015 took this idea and twisted it a little. Sure, lots of the Sofar shows across the globe have been in galleries and arty spaces, but what about the "living room" of a music studio? Lots of studios have a fun space to step away from the music for a little bit. In this case, the Cambridge Sound Studios "living room" is were we stepped into, to get into the music.
This diverse lineup took us through memory lane. Soul-crooner Quincy Mumford reminded fans of recent alums Caleb Hawley or Aaron Parnell Brown, Ladybird took us back to some traditional bluegrass, and Bill McCloskey, took us back to the previous set as he enlisted Sarah Larsen from Ladybird to be in his band. To his credit the Sofar Philly and Sofar Austin veteran, reminisced a little to past shows and also included fellow Sofar alum, John Hildenbrand of Kalob Griffin Band, in his band.
Shark Tape capped it off with some straight-forward rock. In one of the most rocking-est sets in recent Sofar memory. The band comfortable with live recording, showed off some hits and new tunes, through it's five song set.
Quincy Mumford - "Home"
Bill McClosey - "You Are a Babe, Babe
Ladybird - "Red Rocking Chair"
Shark Tape - "Marathon"
March 2015:
The Vulcans / Work Drugs / Beans on Toast / Desert Noises
The March 2015 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show is the perfect example of why you shouldn't go into a show with pre-set expectations. While fans coming to the Sofar Sounds secret shows don't know the bands until arrival there was still plenty of time to form some opinions once you get the playbill upon arrival First there was The Vulcans, the central PA folk trio. Without the stylistic trappings of most folk-grass outfits, these musicians showed off their skills and some serious harmonies.
Work Drugs, an electronic Philly band showed up with two guitars. It isn't a total stretch with some of the songs being written on piano and guitar, but it was Tom's first Work Drugs set behind a guitar.
Beans on Toast was a total enigma. Most fans had no idea what to expect from this single artist with a weird moniker and a traveling posse and fans that followed. His first song he did from a what seemed like a stool, but it was more like a flimsy table. His folk raps were filled with spot on wit and had a certain whimsical charm. "Fuck You Nashville" has to be in every tour managers arsenal to play for any cranky touring musician having a bad night. Be sure to catch it below.
Desert Noises, had the best Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia set to date this year, and quite possibly the most captivating set all the way back to last April's Little Comets set. Throwing a total curve ball to fans that know the band, including the fans who at coincidentally had seen them the night before, the normally rocking four-piece was a stripped down acoustic two-piece. Having seen them myself two times prior the songs really connected on a lyrical level. The rest of the band aren't too fond of just chilling while half of them play, so don't expect this too often. However, the were quite entertaining as well, with the "guitar solo goes here" type verbal cliff notes from the band.
Vulcans - "Ready (Get Runnin')
Work Drugs - "Runaway"
Desert Noises - "Keys On The Table"
Beans On Toast - "Fuck You Nashville"
April 2015: The Burgeoning / Neulore / Sales / City Rain
The April 2015 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show was all about new songs and new impressions. The Burgeoning on a two day blitz playing both Sofar Sounds & Communion were playing music that was to be recorded a few days later.
Neulore came to town as part of Communion the year before and made a weird impression, being a little too rock-star for their own good. Fast-forward to Sofar and it was the complete opposite. This time Neulore was engaging with the crowd, including a sing-a-long with a Sam Smith cover.
While Sales stuck with the pedals and loops, City Rain stripped down and unplugged to give a simple three song acoustic set. "Hearts" and "Mama I Wanna Go Home" were standouts from the 2014 LP Songs For A High School Dance LP, but they also played a raw take on brand-new song "Changes."
City Rain - "Changes"
CHECK BACK FOR VIDEOS AS THEY POST!
May 2015: EmmettDrueding / Kate Faust
/ Brian Dunne / Deal Casino / Palmas
The May 2015 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show was an exciting show. In the large meeting space for the Old Swedes Church, Pennsylvania's oldest church; five artists showed of their skills to the musical congregation.
If there was ever a home field advantage in music, Emmett Drueding had it. At the church where he grew up playing, Emmett played his first Sofar Sounds show. Playing a special two song set, the Elliott Smith influence was strong as you could really see he was feeling it deep down.
Kate Faust was up next. Often electronic, but still a singer-songwriter at heart, she gushed when she saw there was a piano at the venue, leaving her keyboard behind in the car. Always a blast to see live, Kate played some new tunes, but wooed the crowd with her crowd-pleasing medley "Are You That Somebody/Feelin Good/So Good" by Aaliyah / Nina Simone / Destiny's Child.
Brian Dunne played some country-ish singer songwriter tunes. The New Yorker was soft and soothing, not the trash-tonk of today's country-pop.
Deal Casino's Joe P was also solo, just chillin' on the piano bench in the front of the room. While the Deal Casino tracks were pretty killer, it was the Pixies "Where is My Mind" cover that was instantly amazing. It was spot on from the first notes, but probably even more amazing as Kate Faust picked up on it right away and was adding the critical oohs from the back of the room.
Like a dreamy lounge band from back in the day, Palmas were having a blast while looking cool. Sticking with the bench as a good place to sing from, the vocalist had an Adam Levine style without relying on the falsetto. The first and only full band of the night, they didn't ruin things by going all loud. The guitarists kept it chill, sitting on their amps as they had a set completely tailored for Sofar.
Check back later for more videos!
June 2015:
AnnaChristie / Louds / Suburban Living / Pine Barons
Sofar Sounds: Philly returned to Cambridge Sound Studios for the June Show. Alum AnnaChristie also made her return, but for her it was to Philly after a West Coast relocation/haitus.
Louds and Suburban Living made their Sofar Sounds debuts after making set altering equipment decisions upon arrival.
Pine Barons came back for their second Sofar appearance. With a lot of repeats from their 2014 Sofar set, the band continues to amaze with different mic techniques and just all around creativity.
More Pictures to follow
Check Back for more videos!!
December 2014: Brian Dale Allen Strouse (of the Lawsuits) /
Dominic Angelella (of DRGN King) /
The Naked Sun / The Kalob Griffin Band
 |
| Photo by Julie McGurk |
 |
| Poster by Jennifer Prough |
 | ||
| Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
The December '14 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show was one of the best on record. Ugly Sweaters, food donations for Philabundance, and an all local-lineup at this super cool Fishtown former candy shop turned apartment. For this holiday show, each band was asked to be prepared with a holiday song each. Just as each Sofar show is typically extra special with stripped down instrumentation and personnel, the holiday song choices for the event were also non-standard. Brian Dale Allen Strouse, was probably the safest with a rendition of "Blue Christmas", while The Naked Sun performed "Christmas Lights (Paul Baribeau cover) and Dominic Angelella did a Vince Guaraldi medley. Two Root Down In The Shadow favorite front men, Dominic Angelella and Brian Dale Allen Strouse, both played stripped down & heart felt sets, but it was the raucous set by Kalob Griffin Band that stole the show. They absolutely had the performance of the night with their Paul Kelly cover of "How To Make Gravy", the quintessential song about writing home from jail during the holidays. KGB was had a super tight set, even with most of the band just learning the "gravy" cover earlier that day. Be sure to check out their "Full Love" performance added below!
Brian Dale Allen Strouse "Trying To Forget You"
Dominic Angelella - "Undertow"
The Naked Sun - "Cosmic Winds"
Kalob Griffin Band - "Full Love"
January 2015: The Upperfields / The Yetis / Anthony D'Amato
 |
| Poster by Jennifer Prough |
 |
| Upperfields - Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
The January show kicked off 2015 in style. At a hip center-city apartment, fans were happy to get out of the cold and squeeze together for some music. This all out-of-towner lineup featured The Yetis from Allentown, The Upperfields from Ottsville, PA (Bucks County), and Anthony D'Amato from NYC.
New songs were the norm of the night, but Sofar alumni Anthony D'Amato took this to new heights. On the way to the show, he mentioned to that he had a new song he had been writing on the train down to Philly. He must have been excited to exercise it from his head, as it was easy to convince him to debut it live that night. Minutes after making some writing the final verse and making alterations in a bedroom amongst some winter coats, D'Amato debuted "Oh My Goodness" to the Sofar Sounds crowd.
Upperfields - "Untethered Bells"
The Yetis - "Where You Goin' "
Anthony D'Amato - "Oh My Goodness"
February 2015:
Quincy Mumford / Ladybird / Bill McCloskey / Shark Tape
 |
| Poster by Jennifer Prough |
Sofar Sounds stands for Songs for a room. But not all rooms are created equal. Most Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia shows have been what you would expect for a secret "house show", but the February 2015 took this idea and twisted it a little. Sure, lots of the Sofar shows across the globe have been in galleries and arty spaces, but what about the "living room" of a music studio? Lots of studios have a fun space to step away from the music for a little bit. In this case, the Cambridge Sound Studios "living room" is were we stepped into, to get into the music.
This diverse lineup took us through memory lane. Soul-crooner Quincy Mumford reminded fans of recent alums Caleb Hawley or Aaron Parnell Brown, Ladybird took us back to some traditional bluegrass, and Bill McCloskey, took us back to the previous set as he enlisted Sarah Larsen from Ladybird to be in his band. To his credit the Sofar Philly and Sofar Austin veteran, reminisced a little to past shows and also included fellow Sofar alum, John Hildenbrand of Kalob Griffin Band, in his band.
Shark Tape capped it off with some straight-forward rock. In one of the most rocking-est sets in recent Sofar memory. The band comfortable with live recording, showed off some hits and new tunes, through it's five song set.
 |
| Ladybird at Cambridge Sound Studios - Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
Quincy Mumford - "Home"
Bill McClosey - "You Are a Babe, Babe
Ladybird - "Red Rocking Chair"
Shark Tape - "Marathon"
March 2015:
The Vulcans / Work Drugs / Beans on Toast / Desert Noises
 |
| Poster by Jennifer Prough |
The March 2015 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show is the perfect example of why you shouldn't go into a show with pre-set expectations. While fans coming to the Sofar Sounds secret shows don't know the bands until arrival there was still plenty of time to form some opinions once you get the playbill upon arrival First there was The Vulcans, the central PA folk trio. Without the stylistic trappings of most folk-grass outfits, these musicians showed off their skills and some serious harmonies.
Work Drugs, an electronic Philly band showed up with two guitars. It isn't a total stretch with some of the songs being written on piano and guitar, but it was Tom's first Work Drugs set behind a guitar.
 |
| Beans on Toast - Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
Beans on Toast was a total enigma. Most fans had no idea what to expect from this single artist with a weird moniker and a traveling posse and fans that followed. His first song he did from a what seemed like a stool, but it was more like a flimsy table. His folk raps were filled with spot on wit and had a certain whimsical charm. "Fuck You Nashville" has to be in every tour managers arsenal to play for any cranky touring musician having a bad night. Be sure to catch it below.
Desert Noises, had the best Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia set to date this year, and quite possibly the most captivating set all the way back to last April's Little Comets set. Throwing a total curve ball to fans that know the band, including the fans who at coincidentally had seen them the night before, the normally rocking four-piece was a stripped down acoustic two-piece. Having seen them myself two times prior the songs really connected on a lyrical level. The rest of the band aren't too fond of just chilling while half of them play, so don't expect this too often. However, the were quite entertaining as well, with the "guitar solo goes here" type verbal cliff notes from the band.
 |
| Desert Noises - Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
Vulcans - "Ready (Get Runnin')
Work Drugs - "Runaway"
Desert Noises - "Keys On The Table"
Beans On Toast - "Fuck You Nashville"
April 2015: The Burgeoning / Neulore / Sales / City Rain
The April 2015 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show was all about new songs and new impressions. The Burgeoning on a two day blitz playing both Sofar Sounds & Communion were playing music that was to be recorded a few days later.
 |
| Neulore - Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
Neulore came to town as part of Communion the year before and made a weird impression, being a little too rock-star for their own good. Fast-forward to Sofar and it was the complete opposite. This time Neulore was engaging with the crowd, including a sing-a-long with a Sam Smith cover.
While Sales stuck with the pedals and loops, City Rain stripped down and unplugged to give a simple three song acoustic set. "Hearts" and "Mama I Wanna Go Home" were standouts from the 2014 LP Songs For A High School Dance LP, but they also played a raw take on brand-new song "Changes."
 |
| The Burgeoning - Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
 |
| City Rain - Photo By Lindsey Borgman |
CHECK BACK FOR VIDEOS AS THEY POST!
May 2015: EmmettDrueding / Kate Faust
/ Brian Dunne / Deal Casino / Palmas
 |
| Poster by Jennifer Prough |
 |
| Emmett Drueding - photo by Dan McGurk |
If there was ever a home field advantage in music, Emmett Drueding had it. At the church where he grew up playing, Emmett played his first Sofar Sounds show. Playing a special two song set, the Elliott Smith influence was strong as you could really see he was feeling it deep down.
 |
| Kate Faust - Photo by Dan McGurk |
Kate Faust was up next. Often electronic, but still a singer-songwriter at heart, she gushed when she saw there was a piano at the venue, leaving her keyboard behind in the car. Always a blast to see live, Kate played some new tunes, but wooed the crowd with her crowd-pleasing medley "Are You That Somebody/Feelin Good/So Good" by Aaliyah / Nina Simone / Destiny's Child.
Brian Dunne played some country-ish singer songwriter tunes. The New Yorker was soft and soothing, not the trash-tonk of today's country-pop.
Deal Casino's Joe P was also solo, just chillin' on the piano bench in the front of the room. While the Deal Casino tracks were pretty killer, it was the Pixies "Where is My Mind" cover that was instantly amazing. It was spot on from the first notes, but probably even more amazing as Kate Faust picked up on it right away and was adding the critical oohs from the back of the room.
 |
| Joe of Deal Casino - Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
 |
| Palmas - Photo by Lindsey Borgman |
 | ||||
| Palmas - Photo By Dan McGurk |
Check back later for more videos!
June 2015:
AnnaChristie / Louds / Suburban Living / Pine Barons
Louds and Suburban Living made their Sofar Sounds debuts after making set altering equipment decisions upon arrival.
Pine Barons came back for their second Sofar appearance. With a lot of repeats from their 2014 Sofar set, the band continues to amaze with different mic techniques and just all around creativity.
More Pictures to follow
Check Back for more videos!!
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