Root Down in the Shadow

It's January 31st.. hardly the time to look back at the year prior.  But ripe with the awards season, Grammy's, Golden Globes, Tri State Indie Awards, etc it seems like the perfect time to share some thoughts about the year before.   2013 was a pretty damn good year for new music.  When compiling the year end list, it was remarkable how many outstanding Philadelphia based releases there were each month.  As with all things here at Root Down In The Shadow, we're going to skip retelling what you've read every where else.  Here we are going to do a Philly only year-end review!  Sorry to those of you who may be expecting Bastille , Aoife O'Donovan , J. Roddy Walston & The Business , or Phosphorescent on a year end list, like most things here at Root Down In The Shadow, this list will be Philly-centric!   Finally, apologies to Dr. Dog and Amos Lee, but I think everyone is aware already of B Room and Mountans of Sorrow, Rivers of Song.  Although I will add, the

Earlier this year here at the indie Philly blog, Root Down In The Shadow, we started the fun series #Philly Presents ...bands writing about other bands. The most common reaction from bands to this project: "Wait? Are we covering other bands?" And so #CoverClub was born!   The first sessions for #CoverClub were recorded in October, at the intimate Break Neck Studio under the sonic helm of Peter Joseph!   With the excitement over the series we couldn't contain ourselves, but couldn't continuously steal Peter.  Nomad Recording Studio graciously offered to be our alternate studio for the series and we quickly lined up more bands.  With Rob Swift and Tom Williamson of Nomad Recording Studio, the Session 1.0 includes Aaron Brown of Aaron & The Spell, Ron Gallo of Toy Soldiers, The Rivals and the Fleeting Ends!  The posts here at Root Down In The Shadow have been a blast to do, featuring the excellent videos by director Bob Sweeney assisted by Paul Lo

Earlier this week we released the incredible recreation of  Ween 's 'Tried and True' by the Fleeting Ends for #COVERCLUB !  The gritty version, done at Nomad Recording Studio, was a wonderful reminder that they are more than just alt-pop-rock wizards, but that they can seriously rock! Cover Club | The FleetingEnds "I Feel Cursed" To complete the #CoverClub session one of the many hits from Our Eyes Are Peeled , 'I Feel Cursed' was captured.  This Cover Club session recorded in December was the wrap of a really killer year for the band.  "2013 was a big year for us only because of Our Eyes Are Peeled . It landed us fantastic publications in Magent Magazine , Modern Drummer and many more.  Took us out on the road and got us into gear for future touring.  Local support has been fantastic.  Especially from WXPN .  We played this summers Xponential fest and it was by far the best day the band has ever had. Our Eyes Are Peeled   shot us into not o

Earlier this year here at the indie Philly blog, Root Down In The Shadow, we started the fun series #Philly Presents , ...bands writing about other bands. The most common reaction from bands to this project: "Wait? Are we covering other bands?" And so #CoverClub was born! The final Nomad Studios Session 1.0 band for the #CoverClub series are the hardworking fellas from West Philadelphia, none other than the Fleeting Ends !  When the series was in the planning stages, it was clear that these energetic dudes had to be involved.  Seeing them back in August, at the Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show, I realized that if their live show was such a close reproduction to their album intensity, then they would also be incredible for a studio session.  Turns out, instincts were correct and these guys brought their A game.  Never even considering a stripped down session, the Fleeting Ends came to Nomad Recording Studio ready to rock out. The Fleeting Ends selection 'Trie

Earlier this year here at the indie Philly blog, Root Down In The Shadow, we started the fun series #Philly Presents , ...bands writing about other bands. The most common reaction from bands to this project: "Wait? Are we covering other bands?" And so #CoverClub was born!  Coming up this Saturday, #CoverClub sessions are being recorded at Nomad Studio with our friends at RLS Video!  Starting at 10am, we will bring in artists for one-hour sessions throughout the day. The line-up includes: Aaron Brown of Aaron & The Spell the Rivals Ron Gallo of the Toy Soldiers the Fleeting Ends How would you like to catch some hot Philly bands, in studio while they record the their #CoverClub session?  Just imagine you and a friend, hanging out a the studio while the bands work on their Philly-centric cover and an original.  Wouldn't it be better with YOU watching? Here's how you can make this work: For each session you would like to attend, blow-up Twi

For those of you who don't know what Sofar Sounds is, here is their story: "We have created a movement which brings music lovers together in secret living room locations to hear some of the world's most cutting edge artists.  In order to create an intimate and spellbinding atmosphere, we ask that nobody talk during performances.  We hold these pop-up gigs in over 35 cities across 5 continents"  ** All photos from Lindsey Borgman** August 11th Northern Liberties - Philadelphia, PA Each Sofar Sounds show is unique.  Each Sofar Sounds show has elements that haven’t been seen before and won’t be seen again.  Fans keep coming back as they are so intrigued by what incredible experience they might be a part of. What part of town will the show be in?  Who in the crowd will be performing later?  What future (or current) star is going to be performing?  What unexpected genre will be represented? Looking back at prior shows, there has always been at least