Root Down in the Shadow

Finally, the 2013 XPoNential Festival is here! Arguably the best weekend of live music Philly has to offer, you need to be prepared. Rather than the typical blog post where one source tells you who to like for an upcoming fest, we at Root Down in the Shadow are going to take a different approach to giving you a listening guide to the artists at the upcoming fest.  I've asked my contributors and some of the festival artists for their views on who to see. Here's the results:  Aaron Brown of Aaron & the Spell (Wiggins Park- Friday 5:30)   Another band i'd like to see on the day I play : I'm actually pretty excited to see Michael Kiwanuka .  It's not because, he plays right after [Aaron & The Spell].  I saw him when he played at the Trocadero in the winter and I enjoyed the show.  I've been listening to Home Again , and really dig the title track Another band i'd like to see on Saturday or Sunday :  Wilco ! They play on Sunday and are on

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. 

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 June 21st... Northern Liberties - Philadelphia, PA June's SofarSounds: Philadelphia was yet another testament to a winning formula.  Throughout the day, Philadelphia music fans had the opportunity to see quality musicians all around town for free , as a part of Make Music Philly.     Even with the opportunity to see an incredibly diverse selection of bands all around town like Toy Soldiers , Levee Drivers , James Hearne , September Call-up , Ang & The Damn Band , and Holy Ghost Tent Revival , fans and musicians alike were drawn to the monthly SofarSounds show.   What could possibly be better than seeing top qual

Lots of the collaborators have asked about some covers for this series... well..   HELL YEAH.. why wouldn't we want to do some covers... Keep an eye on the site.. we are in the works!!! 

Inspired by some awesome music being played yesterday at #MakeMusicPhilly, I wanted to share some of the music that I saw and wanted to see!! Tweet me back @RootDownPhilly with your choice for the Philly Music Song of the Weekend!!!  'Song No. 3 from Air And My Sleep , which releases this upcoming Tuesday from September Callup Air And My Sleep by September Call-Up 'I Don't Know' from the Mo Lowda & the Humble teaser... ALBUM COMING SOON!!! The Water's Gonna Save Me by Mo Lowda and the Humble  'Think It Was' by James Hearne **recently released* Think It Was by James Hearne or Kwesi Kankam's Feb single 'By My Side' Recent posts indicate that Kwesi is now IN THE STUDIO!!!! By My Side by Kwesi Kankam

Contributed by Mariel Lorenz "Things are going to get weird." That's one member of our group's sentiments before the Father John Misty show at Union Transfer a couple Saturdays ago. It was possible. The album Fear. Fun highlights Josh Tillman's, the man behind Father John Misty, strange trip to California and the quest to find to his own identity.  It has everything - tales of drug use, reflections on religion, pep talks to himself, and hanging out in cemeteries.  Plus just a few days before the show, it was announced he was soon to release a  woman's fragrance . I don't know too many rock stars who market perfume to women. Then  the roadies set up the stage unfolding a massive backdrop with an array of images - a burning church, a rainbow, skyscrapers, a castle moon bounce, and on the top an arched doorway with a naked man (maybe Tillman) with his backside turned looking straight at the audience. This was sandwiched between two disco balls. Yeah I had a

Photo by Mat Burke Married in the Aviary by Chelsea Mitchell This Friday, at World Cafe Live Philadelphia, a labor of love will be unveiled.  Married In The Aviary ( Self Release -June 4th) will be showcased with its mastermind Chelsea Mitchell and a collection of her favorite musicians.  Married In The Aviary is a fantastic arrangement by Chelsea Mitchell.  Previously she had been more commonly found with her guitar doing the singer-songwriter thing; this time she takes a turn featuring her ukulele, which kept finding its way into the recordings. The EP starts with 'The Chapel', which is simply Chelsea Mitchell and ukulele.  No lyrics, just Chelsea's angelic voice and careful plucks, amongst the reverb of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Buckingham PA.  I often find myself having an Andy Dufresne type moment (SEE: Shawshank Redemption), locking away the rest of the world while attempting to forget my troubles amongst the operatic notes.  If the first song is