Root Down in the Shadow

"From the Notebook" is a new series at Root Down In The Shadow, that will explore great experiences with bands and events that didn't make it to the web within a normal deadline, but were too good not to share.  If all goes well we'll let that original moment simmer and provide some additional insight beyond our first take.  Our first subject: Dirty Dollhouse. Chelsea Mitchell All Photos by Lindsey Borgman unless noted  Chelsea Mitchell Dirty Dollhouse Who is Dirty Dollhouse ? Who is Dirty Dollhouse ?  Officially Dirty Dollhouse is the all-beautiful, all-female Chelsea Mitchell-Amber Twait-Vanessa Winters trio.  The lush harmonies of these long-time friends are the crux of any Dirty Dollhouse tune.  But which band is really Dirty Dollhouse?  Is it only the trio? Or, is it a full-band extravaganza?  Chelsea Mitchell Some fans already caught their first glimpse of Dirty Dollhouse at one of their rare shows in 2014. ...

by Mariel Lorenz & Dan McGurk When you pull up to East Coast Recording Studio at 780 Falcon Drive, tucked away off of a Street Road industrial park in a Warminster, PA, you’ll see FUGE in huge letters above the entrance of the building. This was once part of the Naval Air Development Center Johnsville .  The centerpiece of this park was a centrifuge where future astronauts came to experience what the force of gravity felt like on their bodies. Technologies, like GPS, that we depend on so much today saw its development here too. Although the Navy has left the facility more than 20 years, the centrifuge is still there as part of an event space. Many companies have also moved in to set up shop, but one company here could raise a few eyebrows – a recording studio ran by a Grammy Award winning producer. Levee Drivers at N.A.S.A. control? East Coast Recording boasts an 1100 square foot live room. Not only could a band fit in here, but 50-70 of their friends as ...

Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia - February 2014 The Art Dept welcomed Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia Photos by Lindsey Borgman Photo by Lindsey Borgman, Poster by Jennifer Prough Going to Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia on a monthly basis is a chance for renewal.  It's always a fresh start as you head to a place you've never been, to open yourself up to four bands you might not have listened to yet, and be ready for an unexpected set of emotions.  I found my destination - the bright, open gallery known as the Art Dept. I walked into the space and was immediately drawn to artwork displayed of these characters.  Part of the current exhibition Everybody Dates: New work by Ellen Haines , the figures were charming and their thoughts were interesting and funny.  Before bands had begun it was already a good night, I chatted with a few folks as the crowd gathered in and soon enough it was time to take our seats on the hardwood floor.  I was ready to let the Sofar Sou...