Root Down in the Shadow

So what's a formula for a successful House Concert. 1. Find bands that fill your soul 2. Invite your like minded music fiends 3. Forget the rest, if you have music & friends nothing else matters. **** Some of you may have noticed some repetition to a Root Down In The Shadow House Concert.  But if a musician fills your soul, why would it be a bad thing to repeat?  Max García Conover , is one of those artists I will gladly go see everytime he comes through, even if it happens to be in a living room or backyard of a friend.  Haunt The House , who are coming this Saturday , is another one of those artists.  But hey, when you find something that works; stick with it. Last Friday we had a special show in Fishtown.  Max had a Thursday slot in Nashville for Sofar Sounds and a gig Saturday in Mt. Holly, NJ; so of course a Philly house show made sense.  Why not? Filling out the line-up were William Doobies & Dan Weirauch of New Sweden and Mike Batchelor of Kettle Pot B

For a special Turkey Saturday edition of the Root Down In The Shadow HQ House Concert series, our pal Will Houlihan , better known by his moniker Haunt The House returns to Philly for a solo show. He's joined by tour mate Zach Schmidt and local favorite David Janes . To get you excited for the show, let's check out some videos that our friends and frequent collaborators Kettle Pot Tracks did this summer.  The first was an unexpected surprise as he recorded a video during the house show this July when the full band played at the RDITS HQ. Haunt the House, "Vampyre" live from RDitS House Show 7/13/15   Haunt the House, "Vampyre" live from RDitS House Show 7/13/15 from Michael Batchelor on Vimeo . While we shared that video this summer, the next video is brand new.  Kettle Pot Tracks were a gracious host to us & Haunt The House and recorded a beautiful On The Hill Session with the band. Haunt the House — Mosquito Coast Haunt the

For those of you that didn't see the invitation to the Root Down In The Shadow HQ House Show with Haunt the House, Dan Blakeslee , and Kettle Pot Black : Sorry, watch the video below to see what you missed. For those of you that did see the invitation, but chose not to come.  You might not want to watch this video... And I told you so. Haunt the House, "Vampyre" live from RDitS House Show 7/13/15 from Michael Batchelor on Vimeo . Check out more tunes by the band here and keep an eye out for more tour dates. Meanwhile, they're playing Newport Folk Festival on Friday!!

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 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. 

Show poster by Jennifer Prough Ahh, Sofar Sounds , that wonderful international phenomenon sweeping the globe that brings an eager group of music fans to living rooms and hip places to see bands large and small play intimate shows each month. Ever since the first Sofar Sounds I went to, back in Jan '13, I've been absolutely hooked.  It's really the best of all worlds for the music fan with amazing international acts, national touring bands, fabulous local bands, the best music fans to be-friend, acoustic/stripped/re-configured/interesting song arrangements, great homes &hosts, and plenty of other reasons to keep coming back for more.  In the last two years, showing up to these select locations it's been surprise after surprise worthy sharing with all my musical friends. The September show was yet another success by the Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia crew ( Carolyn Lederach, Ken Winneg, & Davis Howley ).  They brought us back to the Fishtown/Kensington neighbo

This Friday, stands to be the final house show at 3701 Spring Garden.  The home of many kick-ass house shows in the past few years, has really been on the map with 3 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia shows, 2 Root Down In The Shadow & Swift Guitar Lessons Presents, 3 Cover Club sessions and numerous Live At The Rivals House shows! Rumor has it that after recording some tracks for upcoming albums of The Rivals and Song Dogs , Nomad Recording Studio headed by Rob Swift , is packing up and moving to a new location.  To celebrate this final show at the studio space, we've got a Live At The Rivals House Line-up that looks to be a spectacular. The lineup features songstress Chelsea Mitchell of Dirty Dollhouse, followed by Jake Lewis & The Clergy, who are coming in from Lancaster; and the Bernhardt Family Band.   Come out and show your appreciation for the Rivals House and all the wonderful show's they've hosted for us!!!  #BYOB #NoDouches #NiceMix #StartingPromp

Sofar Sounds is based on the idea "Songs for a Room".  A "room": meaning not a warehouse, not an amphitheater, not a club.  These intimate shows are built around fans having a premier experience without the normal trappings of lines, cover charges, overly loud P.A. systems, and uncomfortable venues.  Instead you have bands intermingled with fans in comfortable homes and unique places.  In the case of the June '14 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia the room is " The Rivals House " aka Nomad Recording Studios aka, home of SwiftLessons .  Whatever you want to call it, it's a cozy place to listen to live music. In fact, it's comfortable enough that we find ourselves back at The Rivals House for the third time in the last year.  Coincidentally enough each time at the Rivals house, the show has involved the Satellite Hearts.   They played the show in September '13 with The Unlikely Candidates , Penrose , and Murchant .  Lead singer Justin Pelle

In just a few days, THIS SATURDAY, a line-up of epic proportions is ready to be unleashed AT THE RIVALS HOUSE . Last month, we started off the joint series at the Rivals House with rockers Up The Chain and Satellite Hearts .  This month were turning down the volume and doubling the lineup.  Four acts will take to the mic with Sean Hoots, Emily Ana Zeitlyn (Divers), Ladybird, and The Rivals all ready to wow audiences.  Ranging from Folk-tonk to Bluegrass to cutting edge rock, these four local outfits are some of the best Philly has to offer. The event is limited, so be sure to RSVP.    While the event is NOT FREE, please be prepared to pay according to how awesome you think the night is going ($10-20).  To get an idea of what incredible fantasitic-ness you'll be a part of, here are a few videos to get you ready. Sean Hoots from his recent Cover Club session Emily Ana Zeitlyn of Divers at Johnny Brenda's The Rivals from their recent Cover Club session Ladybir

Poster by Jennifer Prough All Photos by Lindsey Borgman It’s been a long time since I've gone to see bands at a college, let alone step foot into a fraternity house. Nearly two decades of shows since I've been enrolled in college, I never really imagined I would ever find myself back at one for some musical entertainment. For the May Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show, there we were at the most improbable of locations, a Jefferson Univ. Med School fraternity in Center City attending a show. Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia curated a fabulous five band in the nicest fraternity house I've ever stepped foot into. (Disclosure, I never really did go to many true fraternities in my college days, and this was a hardly a frat house with all the studying going on.) For the Sofar Sounds show we discovered the bands as they took their turn at the stage. The first to make an appearance was BFA the band from NYC. BFA the Band The evening started off with BFA the Band (Bachel