Max García Conover Embraces Philly with Cover Club (Leave Ruin by Strand of Oaks) and Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia Sessions

Photo by Jeff Coon

Photo by Jeff Coon

Just over two years ago, Max García Conover in preparation for his first show in Philadelphia at The Grape Room, he reached out to Root Down In The Shadow to connect.  Could I review his new album Burrow?   A review wasn't possible, but the Grape Room was just down the hill from my house.  Since then we've collaborated many times for house shows and connections for other line-ups and sessions.  This last August was a very special day for both of us.  He was able to join make a Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show and since we had made arrangements with the host, we had the ability to do more recording and pulled off a Cover Club Session.

It isn't just the last two years that made Max García Conover's relationship with Philly special.  It's been going on for most of his life.   He explains, "My romanticization of philadelphia started way back in elementary school, dancing and singing in my bedroom to Boyz II Men's Mowtownphilly. My perception of the city has evolved, along with my taste in music, but for a long time I've felt connected with the sort of art that thrives there. Some of my favorite songwriters come from Philly, people like Strand of Oaks, Kurt Vile, Small Houses.

I found Strand of Oaks when he was touring with Joe Pug, one of my favorite songwriters. during his own encore, Pug invited Strand of Oaks up to play one more song, and he quietly played "Leave Ruin," silencing the room with just his voice, his electric guitar, and a perfect song."

Cover Club | Max García Conover "Leave Ruin" (Strand of Oaks)


We recorded Max on the front porch of our host's home in Ambler, PA; while the other Sofar Sounds performers were getting ready for the afternoon backyard show.

Photo by Jeff Coon

Coincidentally, it wasn't Max's first Sofar Sounds set, but he did meet the Sofar Sounds: Boston people at a house show in Philly. The August afternoon show, in a artsy backyard retreat would be his third Sofar Sounds show after Boston and Sofar Sounds: Fort Worth. The soon to be Sofar Sounds vet (he's since played Montreal, New York, Nashville, and Maine) wowed the crowd with his straigh-forward style, playing new favorites "My Neighbor Joe" and "Eddie's Wine" among his set.

Photo By Lindsey Borgman

Check out "My Neighbor Joe" from his set, as his Cover Club Original:

CoverClub | Max García Conover "My Neighbor Joe"  
 

Photo By Lindsey Borgman

Don't Forget to check out the original from Strand Of Oaks

Like/Follow/Subscribe as we will be posting an some Sofar Sounds videos from Max's travels and a video from the Root Down In The Shadow, Fishtown house show this last Friday.