Root Down in the Shadow

Note: Photos by Lindsey Borgman Pearl And The Beard came to Philadelphia as part of the Communion: Club Night Tour!  Judging by the time slots or the marquee it's hard to tell who the featured artist was for the night, but based on the majority of the music fans at Underground Arts migrating to the stage it was clearly Pearl And The Beard.  The chatter indicated about half of the crowd was beyond excited, while the other half was justifiably curious.  Not the standard rock n roll lineup, Pearl And The Beard doesn't do anything "normal": no drum kit, no "lead" singer, a cello.  These cool kids have no reservations about doing things their way. Photo by Lindsey Borgman Back in 2011, Pearl And The Beard caught the wider attention of the music world with their second album  Killing the Darlings.  Tours with David Wax Museum, Lucius , You Won't , and Lady Lamb The Beekeeper helped build a base of rabid fans. At the end of 2011, when thi...

Wednesday March 12th, The Bernhardt Family Band will be on at World Cafe Live with The Keys , The Dawn Drapes and August John Lutz II (of Levee Drivers ).  To get you ready for the show, we move up #CoverClub a day early, as we release an original track by The Bernhardt Family Band.   Outside of a few rough videos on the net, there is limited info about the band Kate Bernhardt & Jerry Bernhardt have formed.  So, to prevent from any further missing-out on this band, here is an interview with Kate and their original song "Moonlight" recorded at Nomad Recording Studios for Cover Club. The Bernhardt Family Band "Moonlight" Some folks will be surprised to find you listed on the liner notes for Ali Wadsworth's album, any other surprise credits to know about? We did some harmonies for Ron Gallo ’s solo project last fall, so that’s in the works. Jerry recorded on Mike McMonagle ’s album a few months ago and did a keyboard session with Chris Kasper ,...

Welcome back to # CoverClub .  This week we are rotating back to Nomad Recording Studio , after last week's session at Breakneck Recording Studio with Lucy Stone covering Cruiser .   We pick up where we left off at Nomad continuing to release sessions from a very snowy January weekend.  So far, we've hit you with  Sean Hoots covering Boyz II Men 'It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday' and DRGN KING 's Dominic Angelella covering the iconic Dead Milkmen .   This week we introduce to you, The Bernhardt Family Band:  Cover Club | Bernhardt Family Band  'Tomorrow to Today' (Toy Soldiers) Photo by Bob Sweeney Truly a "family band" Kate Bernhardt & Jerry Bernhardt have been crafting "blood harmonies" for years.  Dubbed "Bernhardt Family Band" by Ron Gallo ( Toy Soldiers front-man, soloist, and all around show-man), it's no coincidence that they chose to cover Toy Soldiers.  Kate explains, "We ha...

With just days to go before the next robust Communion event here in Philadelphia, let's take a look back at the insanity that took place at Underground Arts a few weeks back:  Philadelphia Communion Show – January '14 By Michael Southerton and Emily Southerton Rosu Lup Michael: SXSW -bound Philly songsters Rosu Lup set a beautiful precedent by kicking off Communion on the Underground Arts Black Box Stage . The songs of Rosu Lup are tenderly crafted melodies that weave elements of Appalachian roots with modern sonic aesthetics. The steel resonance of acoustic guitars and banjos are folded into a reverb-soaked backdrop provided by rich California tones from the electric guitar. The backbeat drives the rich rhythm section, and the core of the four-piece band is uplifted by the lovely addition of strings (two violins) and brass (trumpet and trombone.) And “uplifting” is perhaps the most appropriate term to describe Rosu Lup. While all songs carry the burden of reality...