Root Down in the Shadow

Contributed by Mariel Lorenz "Things are going to get weird." That's one member of our group's sentiments before the Father John Misty show at Union Transfer a couple Saturdays ago. It was possible. The album Fear. Fun highlights Josh Tillman's, the man behind Father John Misty, strange trip to California and the quest to find to his own identity.  It has everything - tales of drug use, reflections on religion, pep talks to himself, and hanging out in cemeteries.  Plus just a few days before the show, it was announced he was soon to release a  woman's fragrance . I don't know too many rock stars who market perfume to women. Then  the roadies set up the stage unfolding a massive backdrop with an array of images - a burning church, a rainbow, skyscrapers, a castle moon bounce, and on the top an arched doorway with a naked man (maybe Tillman) with his backside turned looking straight at the audience. This was sandwiched between two disco balls. Yeah I had a

Shovels & Rope are in the midst of a great year!   After releasing  O' Be Joyful on July 31st last year, they have continued to gain popularity and love as they tour.  They have dates galore with Lucero ( now) and Dawes later this summer.  Also on their docket are gigs with Dave Matthews Band and some U.K. & U.S. headlining dates.  On top of all that, they have spots at some of the best festivals in the country with the Newport Folk, Coachella, Sasquatch, Hangout, Wakarusa, Forecastle and Osheaga Festivals.  If they weren't known before now, anyone that even has their finger near the pulse of music will know their name by years end! Shovels & Rope @ Union Transfer - Philadelphia The Charleston, SC husband and wife duo brought their Folky Southern Blues Storytelling to Philadelphia for the 2nd time already in 2013 . This time it was to the spacious, but sonically pleasing Union Transfer while opening for Lucero on their 3rd date on the Spring Tour.

photo credit: Neil Krug First Aid Kit , a Swedish folk duo composed of sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg came through Philadelphia on a short US & Canada tour on the way to Coachella Festival .  The chilly March night did not keep a near sellout crowd away from the sonically fabulous Union Transfer.  London trio Peggy Sue opened the show.  They are a three piece outfit with hypnotic harmonies by Katy Klaw and Rosa Rex and pounding drums by Olly Olly Olly.  New song 'Idol' stood out the most, with a lyric of "Robert Johnson and the devil" catching my attention.  They played originals and two 50's/60's covers they recorded for a special tour EP; 'Blue Velvet' and 'Heatwave'. The First Aid Kit touring for new album, The Lion's Roar, hit the road with their album drummer Mattias Bergqvist, Johanna taking lead vocals and guitar,  and Klara playing her Nord Electro 3 keyboard.  The exceptionally confident young ladies, ag

First off, I have to say, Union Transfer comes off as a great venue.  It is well laid out (including tons of space for merch), there is plenty of space, a retractable stage to fit the expected crowd size.  They've got good beer, attentive wait staff, and are just a few blocks form Prohibition! Blind Pilot @ Union Transfer  - Photo by Dan McGurk Blind Pilot came to Philadelphia a little more than half way through their Fall tour supporting We Are The Tide .  This was the first show for The Portland sextet to be supported by Gregory Alan Isakov .  Isakov and co, were very enjoyable as if I already known his songs The Blind Pilot immediately laid out two hits 'Keep Your Right' and 'Go On Say It' leaving the night to rest on the strength of the bands entire work.   They were such a even keel happy bunch, so polite and mild mannered, at times it hardly felt like a rock show, rather like hanging out in the living room.  This enjoyable peacefulness was challenged