Root Down in the Shadow

This week's edition highlights some free music I've picked up along the way. I apologize for not writing anything for in weeks, I figured December should be the time of year when the music industry slows down.  Yeah right.  There might not be as much touring and shows, but there is a huge push of publicity.  End of the year lists, sales, holiday songs galore, more sales, setting up tours for next year, holiday shows, and even more sales!  Besides sitting back and enjoying the family, I found my self in a music induced tizzy listening to oodles of new music obtained over the holiday and reading list after year end list. With all that said, I have been on complete overload lately.  I finally finished a review from early December's show with Jocie Adams & Co, opening for the Barr Brothers.  I've started plotting out shows to see for next year.  I've been laying the ground work for some interviews.  HOLIDAY MUSIC?  WHAT ABOUT ANTI-HO...

In early December at World Cafe Live, I did something I hadn't done in quite some time.  I went to see a band, just based on a recommendation.  I had heard about the Barr Brothers  several times in the last year via a long time friend.  He's a tour manager and he's criss-crossed the country several times in the last few years, getting to meet, hear & see numerous bands. 'Beggar in the Morning' by Barr Brothers Beggar In The Morning by TheBarrBrothers The Barr Brothers were on his list of must see live bands, calling them one of his favorites.  Out of all the other bands he's come across in the last few years, the only other bands I recall him wholly endorsing has been the David Wax Museum and The Carolina Chocolate Drops since he was dead on with those recommendation, I knew I needed to listen. Lately, the Barr Brothers have started to gain some notice performing on David Letterman, as well as in the studio at KE...

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 ...

Pearl and the Beard recently sat down with Root Down in the Shadow for a casual look at some myths and legends about the band!  Topics ranged from the silly to the serious, touching on their backgrounds and the awesomeness of the David Wax Museum ! Pearl and the Beard is three voices, one cello, one guitar, one glockenspiel, one melodica, several drums, one accordion, ninety-six teeth, and one soul.  Former strangers Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price , and Jeremy Styles were united in the great city of New York. Each had migrated there from a far corner of the nation with naught but food in their pockets and money in their bellies.  Each had the same true love. Since then, the three have nested, and their unique brand of brightly melodic songcraft continues to blossom of its own accord. The Brooklyn-based trio Pearl and the Beard released their first full-length album, God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson, spring of 2009, followed by the Black Vess...