Root Down in the Shadow

If you haven't noticed, we're big fans of Max García Conover.   A few months ago we chronicled Max García Conover's first videos with Sofar Sounds.   Now we're back as there are 2 more to share! Max has now done 8 Sofar Sounds across the country and if the other cities are lucky enough, hopefully more to of these posts will follow. Here's performances from Philadelaphia and Maine:     Eddie's Wine | Sofar Philadelphia As Much a Rising Sun As a Setting One (Part 2) | Sofar Maine   Hopefully his appearance from Nashville will be following soon!

Two years ago at a super intimate Root Down In The Shadow house show, before Sofar Sounds: Boston existed, Max García Conover met up with Mark Schafer , the Boston Sofar Area Coordinator.  Mark must have heard something he liked as Max was selected for the 2nd Sofar Sounds: Boston show that November, 2013.  Since then, Max has been popping up at Sofar Sounds all over North America. I was able to catch up with Max to see why he keeps coming back for more Sofar Sounds shows. He explained, "I've played Sofar Sounds shows in Fort Worth, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Montreal, and Maine, and they were all great. House concerts are some of my favorite shows to play in general, but there's an intensity to Sofar Sounds shows that's hard to match - having a room full of strangers give their utmost attention to music that's unknown to them is a special, rare experience. Sofar magically seems to deliver that every time." Here's a glimpse of that magic fr...

Photo by Jeff Coon Photo by Jeff Coon Just over two years ago, Max García Conover in preparation for his first show in Philadelphia at The Grape Room , he reached out to Root Down In The Shadow to connect.  Could I review his new album Burrow?   A review wasn't possible, but the Grape Room was just down the hill from my house.  Since then we've collaborated many times for house shows and connections for other line-ups and sessions.  This last August was a very special day for both of us.  He was able to join make a Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show and since we had made arrangements with the host, we had the ability to do more recording and pulled off a Cover Club Session. It isn't just the last two years that made Max García Conover's relationship with Philly special.  It's been going on for most of his life.   He explains, "My romanticization of philadelphia started way back in elementary school, dancing and singing in my bedroo...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites! #2 Little Comets - The Blur, The Line and The Thickest of Onions We've already featured two other videos from this particular July 2014 show with Satellite Hearts and The Gallerist reeling off great ...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites! #4 Dirty Dollhouse - "Teenage Dirtbag (Wheatus Cover)" On a brief list of things that are cool are:  1. Being friends with musicians 2. Being cool enough friends with a musician that they take y...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites. #6 Ali Wadsworth - Long Hours One of the most colorful artists to perform at Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia is Ms. Ali Wadsworth .  A chameleon of sorts (and not just due to her hair color) she can h...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites. #8 Our Griffins - Not Entirely Here Some bands just seem to be made for Sofar Sounds.  Our Griffins seems to be one of those bands.  For the 2nd Anniversary show in November 2013, Our Griffins...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all startThed in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites. #10 DRGN King - Undertow  This December '14 Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show was so much fun.  Ugly holiday sweaters, holiday covers from each band, super festive decorations, not to mention tas...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites. 12. Deal Casino - Bang Bang Bang If you had the opportunity to be impressed with something new month after month, you'd have to be a fool to not want to take part.  It seems to be every month, there ...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites. 14. The Lawsuits - You Won't Love Me If You Don't Sofar Sounds shows are typically stripped down to fit the room.  For this living room / office, it was a perfect fit.  "You Won't Love Me...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites. 16.Justin Pellecchia (Satellite Hearts) - Meet the Greens For #16 we're back at the same show as #19.  Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia just encapsulates what is great about seeing music in Philly.  If...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version o8 f the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites. #18 Beans On Toast - "Fuck You Nashville" The great thing about Sofar Sounds is you don't know the bands before you arrive.  I still remember a friend telling me about this band Beans On Toas...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary.   The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks.  These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love. Now, I didn't make it to the first show November 11, 2011 with The Lawsuits, Julia Haltigan , Peasant, and Alessi's Ark.  But area coordinators Carolyn Lederach and Ken Winneg were busy bees for the next year.  They were finding amazing talent and bringing it to living rooms in Philadelphia, such as Tutlie, Caleb Hawley , Ron Gallo , Hezekiah Jones , and The Districts. I finall...

Somehow Sofar Sounds : Philadelphia is hitting their 4th Anniversary. The now world-wide phenomenon was a few shy of twenty cities world-wide when Philadelphia joined the ranks. These days, the shows are all over the globe and it seems like there are just shy of twenty dates in NYC alone each month. It all started in London, back in 2009, and slowly spread during the next two years to New York, Paris, DC, Los Angeles, Pune India, Houston, Brighton, Seattle, New Dehli, Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, Toronto, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Glasgow before hitting the City of Brotherly Love.  During the next 10 days I'm going to look back at four years of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia trying to give my version of the best videos. Please comment and share what were your favorites.   #20 Elijah & The Moon - Winter Trees During the 2nd Anniversay show, Elijah Wolf and Gianluca Minucci ; known then as Elijah and the Moon wowed as part of a 6 band celebration.  Check out "Winter Tre...

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 ...

Add caption Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia celebrated a fabulous 3 years this November!  With an as-always diverse line-up the super-secret house concert showcase continued to delight fans.  From burgeoning talent, to genre hopping to the unexpected, the November show was a night to remember! First up was Matt Phillips , a young pup hailing from North Carolina.  While he looks young enough to have ridden his BMX to the show, he's got the chops of an old-timer.  Nary opening his eyes during the whole set, his happiness was infectious as he played solo with his acoustic guitar.  "Move" was a vibrant number with his fingers all over the neck as he sang along.   His "Mediterranean Blues" had a simplistic vocal style reminiscent of James Taylor , while he played with a soulful innocence and his heart on his sleeve. Matt Phillips MATT PHILLIPS - Setlist November 2014 - Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia Coffee       ...

November has quickly crept up on us.  A quick calendar page turn so, easily forgotten hidden between Halloween and Black-Friday/Pre-Winter holiday chaos.  Heck, the biggest thing for most people is Thanksgiving which is at the end of the month.  But here in Philadelphia, November is a reason to celebrate all month long; specifically celebrating the music scene in Philadelphia. "At the heart of Philly Sings Philly is the desire to explore our peers’ music, past and present, and the storied musical legacy of our city. As tradition goes, our hometown heroes will gather at The Fire every Tuesday in November to pay homage to their idols, adding a personal touch to their favorite songs by Philly-born artists. This year, the event has further expanded with new bands, fresh faces, and weekly curators." Week 1 of Philly Sings Philly is this Tuesday at the Fire , featuring many Philly Sings Philly alumni, curated by Philly Sings Philly creator, Brad Hinton .   The lin...

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...