Root Down in the Shadow

This Friday, Mat Burke will be gracing the Kung Fu Necktie stage for the Still Bleeding EP release show.  Joined by some of the most exciting rockers in Philly: The Rivals, Penrose , and August John Lutz II of Levee Drivers ; it stands to be a wild night of music.   Mat Burke - Photo by Elizabeth Thorpe If the album title is any indication, Philadelphia's Mat Burke will be ready to bleed for us.  With his new EP Still Bleeding he's visiting a theme he's been capturing for some time.  According to Mat, "everyone bleeds not only in a physical sense but a singer bleeds every time he steps on stage, a teacher bleeds every time she talks to a class, an artist bleeds with every stroke of a brush."  Burke normally plays solo so this makes total sense that he's "still bleeding," sharing his stories as he takes the full brunt of talkative crowds without support of band mates. Theme aside, on his new EP his music is taken to new heights. ...

In just a few days, THIS SATURDAY, a line-up of epic proportions is ready to be unleashed AT THE RIVALS HOUSE . Last month, we started off the joint series at the Rivals House with rockers Up The Chain and Satellite Hearts .  This month were turning down the volume and doubling the lineup.  Four acts will take to the mic with Sean Hoots, Emily Ana Zeitlyn (Divers), Ladybird, and The Rivals all ready to wow audiences.  Ranging from Folk-tonk to Bluegrass to cutting edge rock, these four local outfits are some of the best Philly has to offer. The event is limited, so be sure to RSVP.    While the event is NOT FREE, please be prepared to pay according to how awesome you think the night is going ($10-20).  To get an idea of what incredible fantasitic-ness you'll be a part of, here are a few videos to get you ready. Sean Hoots from his recent Cover Club session Emily Ana Zeitlyn of Divers at Johnny Brenda's The Rivals from their recent Cover...

August John Lutz II & Kyle Perella - Levee Drivers - photo by Dan McGurk Levee Drivers love two things: playing live music and setting up another chance to play live music.  Regrettably another key ingredient for bands is selling albums and merch.  For a long time, putting out new music got pushed aside.  It wasn't the perfect time, it wasn't ready yet.  After the band-aid was pulled off last fall with the Speakin' Bourbon Coated Blues EP and the Live Studio Session- East Coast Recording, things changed for the Levee Drivers.  Next they added a Key Studio Sessions and #CoverClub session.  Clearly, August John Lutz II & Kyle Perella had a change of plans and recently they've been in the studio aggressively recording their long-awaited full length album.   For this special show at Ortlieb's , they announced they'd be playing their new album for the first time front to back. The set was intriguing as I imagined the finished ...

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...

Last week for #COVERCLUB , The Rivals selected Birdie Busch for our introduction to Nomad Recording Studio !  The relative newcomers to the Philadelphia music scene, The Rivals , did an intense take on the delicate Birdie Busch favorite 'Be The Arrow'.   Like with most things that the Rivals do they overwhelm your senses, leaving you stunned and amazed.  Unlike a black-out that leaves you wondering what you missed when from the night before, The Rivals leave you plenty aware of what hit you, whether it's Rob Swift 's intense guitar, Wayne Gallagher 's rollicking keys, or Tom Williamson 's funky bass.  Don't let their unassuming rock star attitudes confuse you.  Although they are clearly having fun, don't mistake their enjoyment of the moment.  These guys are hard at work with their songs.  To complete their Cover Club session, the fellas stripped back down to their three piece form for their new song 'The Confessor'! Cover Club | The Riva...

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!  We started the series on with an acoustic focus, taking on four local bands at Break Neck Studio and we caught up with national recording artist, Joe Fletcher before his sound check at MilkBoy!   The newest installment of the series takes us to a new location, our second featured studio, Nomad Recording Studio.  Tucked in the University City section of Philadelphia, Nomad was our host for the session recorded just over a week ago.  This session features a full band for the first time in the series, with the Rivals taking the helm.  With the wide open spaces of the Victorian home that houses Nomad, it was time to switch things up and plug in! When Wayne Gallagher , Rob Swi...

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 Tw...

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." **Unless noted,** All photos from Lindsey Borgman** Links to earlier SofarSounds: Philadelphia reviews October 19th - South Philly - Philadelphia, PA photo by Jeff Coon It's amazing how quickly turmoil and pending disaster can turn around.   Heading to the Sofar Sounds show with, what was expected to be, a nice cushion of time that disappeared quickly.  South Philly traffic was exceptionally heinous due to an outdoor festival.  Normally accessible garages were full.  Rain was intermittent.  On top of that, I realized it was also game 6 of the MLB American League Championship Series.  With the CMJ Festival having kicked off a few days earlier just a few hours away in NYC, would any music fans make it out tonig...

#Philly Presents: The Late Ancients by Dan Cooper of Song Dogs Your band name: Song Dogs Dan Cooper of Song Dogs on the drums! Your style: Prairie Heavy/Americana Rock Years on the scene: 4 total; 1.5 with current line-up Current members: Sam Conver : Bass; Vocals Dan Cooper : Drums Ryan McCloskey : Guitar; Vocals Mariama O’Brien : Percussion Emily Southerton : Keys Mike Southerton : Guitar; Vocals Website : wearesongdogs.com ( facebook.com/wearesongdogs ) Current Project: We are going into The HotBox Studios to film a HotBox Session that will be released in a very special, very exciting format that even we have a hard time believing is actually happening! Look for the videos as part of a major release later this summer. We are also in the process of writing new material after releasing our debut LP, Wild Country , this past January. Recent and/or most unique/exciting show : Definitely the most exciting Song Dogs show for me was our album release show i...

This is kinda last minute, but for those of you looking for fun tonight I wanted to make sure this was put out there.. TONIGHT AT the GRAPE ROOM   First, closest to my house @The Grape Room in Manayunk (Philadelphia) The Rivals play tonight showing off their new release Divine Lorraine . The Rivals were recently featured in the new #PhillyPresents: feature, by August John Lutz II of Levee Drivers . "They have this amazing 70's blend of Soul, Blues and Rock all combined into one, that hits harder than Chris Brown's fist (yeah!!!)." The Rivals should be taking the stage at 10pm. Divine Lorraine by The Rivals TONIGHT AT MILKBOY Tonight at Milkboy, Philadelphia band The Morning River Band give you a few days advance on their new release To Suzie .  This electric folk country band is eager to bring their wares to the masses. According to my source, Morning River Band goes on around 11 but go for the whole set; John Train goes first, with M...

#PhillyPresents: by August John Lutz II Your band name:   Levee Drivers Style:   Country Sleaze Years on the scene : 4 Current Project: Levee Drivers are in the finishing stages of mixing and mastering our brand new upcoming EP (date TBA) Members : August John Lutz II - Vocals/Harp/Guitar Kyle Perella - Bass/Guitar/Vocals/Mandolin with the help of:   Jeff Orlowski - Drums Chelsea Mitchell - Vocals/Mandolin Music info/source site for Philly : Kyle Perella's Twitter! Most unique show : Hands down.. .TJ Kong' s Halloween Costume Ball Rock & Roll Murder Show at Underground Arts in 2012. It was an amazing event and lineup to be a part of, it had some out of control costumes and to top it off it was definitely a booze filled experience put together by the talented Dan Bruskewicz . And I finally got to see a female version of Han Solo ( Lynne Krohn - manager of the great and powerful Penrose) . Introducing : The Rivals ...