Root Down in the Shadow

March 18th was a welcome date on the calendar for the Devil Makes Three .  Originally it was to be their travel day home from a month on the road, but like most other days for the trio, they found themselves still heading to another venue.  This time heading to The Note in West Chester, Pa, they were making up a show cancelled earlier due to Peter Bernhard being under the weather earlier in the tour. Show and tour are over.. Photo by Jeff Coon The tired troubadours didn't give any clues that they were ready to be home by how they played.  The only clue that this was the end was the near perfect, leave nothing behind, set list. The full house at The Note was very amped up and eager for the show.  Many had arrived for the February 23rd show to find The Devil Makes Three cancelled.  Most missed the fact that Brown Bird continued on with their portion of the billing playing a fantastic free expanded set. (Click here for review of the Brown Bird show )...

David Lamb & MorganEve Swain of Brown Bird - Photo by Dan McGurk Ahh, Brown Bird opening for the Devil Makes Three , it was to finally happen!  I was so, pumped for this show.  Having seen Brown Bird at Newport Folk Festival and World Cafe Live with both times being awesome, I was ready for more!  The Devil Makes Three was to headline whom I also saw for part of their set at Newport Folk Festival , and I couldn't wait for a full set!  Both bands I've listened to over and over again throughout the summer, fall and now winter.  In late fall, it almost came to be, when they were announced as tour partners, but it didn't happen, at least not for Philly.  But the Devil Makes Three was going back out on tour with Flogging Molly and filled in some dates with none other than Brown Bird.  Yeah, it was going to happen! But it gets better; I even had the chance, sickness permitting, to interview Peter Bernhard of the Devil Makes Three the...

The Devil Makes Three give new meaning to the phrase "tour machine" after a fall tour with Brown Bird, they jump back out on the road for a run of dates with Flogging Molly.  They're supporting their newest LP, Stomp and Smash , a live release recorded over two sold out nights in Petaluma, Ca. The Devil Makes Three -  'Black Irish' from phishbeard's YouTube channel I had the opportunity to check in with Pete Bernhard of The Devil Makes Three to pick his brain on the band's music and background, and also a few questions about the scene.  I caught up with him en route to NYC for the first show at the famed Hammerstein Ballroom.  I'm relatively new to the Devil Makes Three phenomena, but I've been hooked like a fish with a barb through the gills.  After letting a brief fan-boy moment slip out, thanking the band for being awesome and also tweeting my review in December, we got down to business regarding all things Devil Makes Three and wh...

The best thing about living along the megalopolis of I-95 cities is the close proximity and ease of travel to each other!  Here are the best upcoming shows that I have spotted for your viewing pleasure!  If you go, please let me know how the shows were.  I'll review as many as I make it to! FEBRUARY 13th PITTSBURGH Allen Stone @ Stage AE  Young White guy with Soul... Are you sure? Check out his awesome single ' Sleep ' or ' Another Break Up Song' and decide for yourself!  For more info check out this article by the Pittsburgh City Paper FEBRUARY 16th  BALTIMORE Blind Pilot with Cotton Jones @Ram's Head Live.   Although it is going to require me to take a day off, I'm going to head down to Baltimore. Two reasons: I saw them in November at Union Transfer and it was awesome, so I must go again.  The second reason is a boneheaded one.  I picked up their fantastic poster by drummer Ryan Dobrowski , and the band was hanging out afterwar...

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to go to Newport Folk Festival for the first time.  I was very excited to go, with notables such as Decemberists, Gillian Welch, Tegan & Sara,  and Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three  amongst the acts.  It would be a good time for me to get to know bands I had heard of through my tour manager buddy, David Wax Museum and Brown Bird .   Those six alone would make it worth it for a weekend away with my wife, plus there were countless others that I sure wouldn't mind seeing if I had the chance, M. Ward, EmmyLou Harris, and Elvis Costello.   As time got closer to the festival, I was beyond excited.  I had started to learn more about the other bands, such as Freelance Whales, the Civil Wars, and The Head and The Heart.   Once the schedule was released I was in full blown chaos level excitement.  Except for one thing, now there were too many bands I was excited to see.  The worst ...

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 +...