Root Down in the Shadow

The best thing about living along the megalopolis of I-95 cities is the close proximity and ease of travel to each other!  Here are the best upcoming shows that I have spotted for your viewing pleasure!  If you go, please let me know how the shows were.  I'll review as many as I make it to! FEBRUARY 13th PITTSBURGH Allen Stone @ Stage AE  Young White guy with Soul... Are you sure? Check out his awesome single ' Sleep ' or ' Another Break Up Song' and decide for yourself!  For more info check out this article by the Pittsburgh City Paper FEBRUARY 16th  BALTIMORE Blind Pilot with Cotton Jones @Ram's Head Live.   Although it is going to require me to take a day off, I'm going to head down to Baltimore. Two reasons: I saw them in November at Union Transfer and it was awesome, so I must go again.  The second reason is a boneheaded one.  I picked up their fantastic poster by drummer Ryan Dobrowski , and the band was hanging out afterwards and signing m

Next Sunday morning, at the Newport Folk Festiva l, before the Carolina Chocolate Drops start @ 12:40, there are thee choices to start the day.  I've narrowed my choices down to two, as I am completely unfamiliar with the Seeger Clogging Allstars .  This was an easy choice up until a month ago, as I hadn't heard Brown Bird yet either. But, I picked up The Sounds of Ghosts EP by Brown Bird, and now I'm torn. This has been my most discussed decision so far.  Feel free to comment, but here's my list of contributing factors for each act so far: Brown Bird: Harbor Stage 11:30am-12:15 David Lamb & Morganeve Swain make up the dark duo Brown Bird. +David Lamb has one of those special & unique voices that could sound great no matter what he's singing. Just as the Decemberists can lull you with a lullaby about the knife wielding 'Shankill' Butchers, or a revengeful Mariner, David can soothe while singing about anything. +Morganeve Swain wonderful

Dave Matthews & Co stole a page from the Perry Farrel book of festivals (Lollapalooza) and did him one better.  This year, Dave Matthews Band is hosting four three day weekends of music across the U.S. Rather than tour across the country and only get to have one or two openers, he's bringing the country to him and sharing the stage with many deserving acts.  The A.C. and Chicago dates are completely booked up with the bands, the Governors Island NY & the Gorge (George, WA) shows are still being filled out.  Both Chicago and Atlantic City have G. Love, Ray LaMontange, Dave Matthews Band 3x, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Michael Franti & Spearhead, O.A.R, Amos Lee, and David Gray. Atlantic City seems to be the bigger party, with Fitz & the Tantrums, Guster, Damian Marley, Dr. Dog and Carolina Chocolate Drops,  While also having a folk side with the Head and the Heart, Delta Spirit, and Lisa Hannigan, However, Chicago seems to have the heavyweights with th

I came across Sean Hayes , the same way most folks have to his blend of singer/songwriter.  They heard it somewhere and passed it by.  Some of you have heard it featured on a Subaru commercial playing, Powerful Stuff ,  Others have heard the 'Powerful Stuff' on an episode of PARENTHOOD. Or, you heard it on a KCRW Today's Top Tune, last March. For me, like usual as I can be slow to warm up to songs, the Sean Hayes didn't catch me immediately, but after putting it into a song of the day smart playlist, I found myself coming back again and again to 'Powerful Stuff'.  The guitar playing and chorus drags you in right away.  The lyrics just take you away, as the song develops. Excerpt of 'Powerful Stuff' by Sean Hayes "Oh yes this is powerful stuff Got me circling like the moon round the sun Got me acting like a fool on a drunk Hear me this is powerful stuff No way for you to give this up It is in your body It is in your blood Tear you down