Root Down in the Shadow

*At Johnny Brenda's opening for Lost In The Trees* On a dreary Tuesday night in Philadelphia one of the best things you can do is go see some live music.  The amazing benefit of being in a city with such a huge population and an amazing depth of musical talent, is that you can easily find a "local" artist opening at most shows.  The promoter to band connection works extremely well in matching up Philly area bands with artists that are coming through town, a situation that would not happen in a majority of the cities across the country.  On this particular Tuesday, Our Griffins came down from the Lehigh Valley to support the tour of Lost In The Trees and  All Tiny Creatures.    On the day Lost In The Trees released their new album Past Life , they were also treated to some amazing Philly talent with Our Griffins starting off the night at Johnny Brenda's . Our Griffins played just six songs, but did a great job to impress the crowd.   New songs "Baby's

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 'Fold' Single Lots of big things are happening for Kwesi K.   First and foremost, a new Pronouns EP is weeks away from release.  Funded last fall in 37 days of crowd sourcing via a Kickstarter project , Pronouns EP has been a constant part of Kwesi's life since it was conceived.  There were many occasions, where he came straight from the studio to a gig, such as the June Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show.  If Kwesi thinks life might slow down a little now that the album is done, he's dead wrong. After getting a sneak peak on the single 'Fold', it is clear Kwesi K will be a busy man.  Affectionately referred to as " Graceland 's cousin", 'Fold' is a vibrant tune that brings his talents emphatically to the forefront.   So many melodious sounds en

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 American Songwriter Lyric Contest :  September/October 2013 1st Place  “She May Never See Paris”          Debra Wolf Goldstein   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Lyrics 2nd Place “Nobody’s Daughter”                   Chelsea Mitchell            Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Lyrics 3rd Place “You Must Be Out Of My Mind” Mark Rowe                     Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Lyrics 4th Place “Can’t Afford To Let It Go”          Matt Jordan                   Glencoe, Missouri                 Lyrics C helsea Mitchell placed 2nd in the lyric contest for American Songwriter magazine .  Surprisingly she revealed 'Nobody's Daughter' was her first entry into a lyrics contest of any kind.  "It's one of those things where you think I might not have a real shot, but so

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 Levee Drivers at XPoNential Festival for a World Cafe Live #PopUp Session Briar Patch Video Session While on their recent East coast tour, Levee Drivers sat down with the folks at Briar Patch Video to record four songs, 'Off Them Tracks', 'Burbon Coated Blues', 'Waking Up in Memphis' and 'Midnight in My Hometown'.   These new tracks have been making their rounds at shows this year.  Keep tabs on Levee Drivers for what looks like a fall EP announcement.   World Cafe Live Pop Up Session : During the successful XPoNential Festival put on by WXPN, World Cafe Live curated a few Pop Up sessions near the World Cafe Live and Main Street Music tents.  Although they fought crowds heading to hear a rare Dr. John set on the River Stage, Levee Drivers were

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

Joe Fletcher live @Fergie's Pub   Recently I came across perfect synergy as a fan.  A national indie act that I've been following joined forces with a local indie act that is ready to hit the national stage! Rhode Island based Joe Fletcher is on tour now with the Toy Soldiers , and just played two gigs in Philadelphia with them over the 4th of July!  I had the pleasure of catching both sets, at Fergie's Pub and the Jamaican Jerk Hut, and sat down with Joe betwen sets to catch up on the world of Joe Fletcher! The new album, You’ve Got the Wrong Man, what’s the current status?  The album started out as an EP last year, and has evolved into a full album .  We're preparing for release in late October! The new tracks haven't really been getting much play on tour?  Is it a fear of a crappy cellphone-video early-release on the internet?  That does play a part, but I've either been playing with bands such as Brown Bird or Toy Soldiers along the way.