Root Down in the Shadow

From time to time, there comes a need to bring fans up to speed with all the goings on with a band.  Hence the "Catching Up With...." series here at Root Down In The Shadow THE MAYBE BOYS RELEASE SHOW Johnny Brenda's September 13th Nearly a year in the works, The Maybe Boys will finally reach its audience.  Headlining their second Johnny Brenda's show this year, Toy Soldiers share the stage with fellow Newport Folk Festival compatriots Kingsley Flood . Get tickets here: Johnny Brenda's Newport Folk Festival?    Yes indeed.  After touring for two weeks with Joe Fletcher and then two more with more with Andrew Combs , it only made total sense that the Toy Soldiers would come along to Newport Folk Festival as well. Joe Fletcher had curated a set so well received by the Newport Folk Fest powers that it got extended from two hours to four.   Even if Philadelphia is neither Nashville nor Newport it is on the route from "Nashvi

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

Next Saturday night, at the Newport Folk Festival, after Pokey Lafarge & the South City Three wrap up @ 4:15, there are three outstanding choices for the next to last slot of the night. The question of who to see is the toughest of the whole festival. I have some other decisions to make before next weekend, but I think this solitary decision may take until we arrive at Fort Adams State Park. Feel free to comment, but here's my list of contributing factors for each act: Gillian Welch: + Gillian is on the Main Stage.. no need to move before the Decemberists + 4:45 start gives 30 minutes to find a spot after Pokey Lafarge + Gillian Welch: Newport Folk Festival 2009 + The Fresh Air Interview: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings + Oh Brother Where Art Thou  fame!!! + Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings do awesome covers, such as 'Black Star' + I don't have much of her  material, but it's so easy to like +Clear veteran = better/experienced live show +

As always Newport Folk Festival has been a constant on the summer music scene since 1959!  As 19 years my senior, I've always been aware of it, but never knew of it.  When I was much younger, I had a vision of rich folk in fancy hats and dresses, and something to do with cigarettes.  As I got older, I really forgot about the festival entirely, as my music tastes were mainly in alternative, but more in a Lollapalooza or even an Ozzfest vein.  However, it came back into focus for me two years ago within one of my favorite podcasts: NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered Podcast .    From the 2009 version, there were available podcasts of full concerts for Iron & Wine , Neko Case & the Low Anthem . Whether looking for quieter music to listen to without disturbing my young child, or just looking for more quality in my music, I had fallen deep for the Folk Festival sound.  It's not that Folk hasn't been cool as "it" was when Newport was younger,

After the recommendation from a dear friend last summer, I first heard the joyous sound of Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three.    Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three - La La Blues I thoroughly enjoyed the video, but hadn't found the time to listen to more. At first, I expected it to be more of a gimmick, than a legit band and sound, but my doubts were definitely proven wrong. Last fall, my wife started teaching a class at Rutgers at 8am during the week.  All the sudden, my wife and daughter went from getting up at 8am to being at school well before 8am.  Needless to say this was a rough transition.  To assist with this transition and waking up my ladies in the morning, YouTube became a valuable tool.  I knew Molly already enjoyed the 'La La Blues', but I was thrilled when we found more videos that she also loved. 'Hard Times Come and Go' is a little dicey as the video shows various methods to end one's life after said hard times, but Molly is to