Root Down in the Shadow

From time to time, there comes a need to bring fans up to speed with all the goings on with a band.  Hence the "Catching Up With...." series here at Root Down In The Shadow 'Fold' Single Lots of big things are happening for Kwesi K.   First and foremost, a new Pronouns EP is weeks away from release.  Funded last fall in 37 days of crowd sourcing via a Kickstarter project , Pronouns EP has been a constant part of Kwesi's life since it was conceived.  There were many occasions, where he came straight from the studio to a gig, such as the June Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia show.  If Kwesi thinks life might slow down a little now that the album is done, he's dead wrong. After getting a sneak peak on the single 'Fold', it is clear Kwesi K will be a busy man.  Affectionately referred to as " Graceland 's cousin", 'Fold' is a vibrant tune that brings his talents emphatically to the forefront.   So many melodious sounds en...

From time to time, there comes a need to bring fans up to speed with all the goings on with a band.  Hence the "Catching Up With...." series here at Root Down In The Shadow American Songwriter Lyric Contest :  September/October 2013 1st Place  “She May Never See Paris”          Debra Wolf Goldstein   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Lyrics 2nd Place “Nobody’s Daughter”                   Chelsea Mitchell            Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Lyrics 3rd Place “You Must Be Out Of My Mind” Mark Rowe                     Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Lyrics 4th Place “Can’t Afford To Let It Go”          Matt Jordan              ...

HoneyHoney @ World Cafe Live, Philadelphia  - September 15th, 2013 In an odd juxtaposition of musical realities, one of my favorite bands, HoneyHoney , was opening for a band I had never heard of until a few days ago.  I had been following HoneyHoney for the last two years, since the release of their major debut Billy Jack; getting singles from KCRW Today's Top Tune and American Songwriter.   The one-time Newport Folk Festival band is primed for a bigger emergence with the continuing folk revival capturing America's airwaves.  However in this instance, they are opening for an artist already #1 in the U.K. stations and making waves here as well. HoneyHoney is on tour with 19 year old U.K. sensation Jake Bugg , bringing their sounds to Philadelphia's World Cafe Live.  Before I knew the line-up, I was initially shocked to find out they were opening and equally surprised that they were opening for someone I had never heard of.  However, when I realiz...

Back in May #PhillyPresents was launched.  The series allowed Philly bands to share with their fans and Root Down In The Shadow fans, the music they listen to amongst the Philly scene.  What better way to get to know bands, than to have your favorite band tell you who they like? Seriously, what could be better?  Well, that would be those same favorite Philly bands COVERING other Philly bands.  Covering their favorites!  Covering legends of the scene!  Covering bands we need to know!  With the help of our friends at Break Neck Studios & RLS Video, we're going to get them in the studio to capture these covers and session tracks! To get a taste of what to expect, here's our two promos for #CoverClub.  Enjoy! August John Lutz II of Levee Drivers

From time to time, there comes a need to bring fans up to speed with all the goings on with a band.  Hence the "Catching Up With...." series here at Root Down In The Shadow Levee Drivers at XPoNential Festival for a World Cafe Live #PopUp Session Briar Patch Video Session While on their recent East coast tour, Levee Drivers sat down with the folks at Briar Patch Video to record four songs, 'Off Them Tracks', 'Burbon Coated Blues', 'Waking Up in Memphis' and 'Midnight in My Hometown'.   These new tracks have been making their rounds at shows this year.  Keep tabs on Levee Drivers for what looks like a fall EP announcement.   World Cafe Live Pop Up Session : During the successful XPoNential Festival put on by WXPN, World Cafe Live curated a few Pop Up sessions near the World Cafe Live and Main Street Music tents.  Although they fought crowds heading to hear a rare Dr. John set on the River Stage, Levee Drivers were ...

Here's a look back at the wildly successful 2nd Street Festival! Every day covering Philly music, I find yet another song, band, artist, festival, etc. to be excited about.  Sunday's find was the #2ndStreetFest.   I hadn't done all that much exploring in Northern Liberties, but hey The Bailey Hounds and New Sweden were playing, what else did I really need to know? Getting to the festival, I was a little nervous as I didn't know where the stages would be, but, ummm.. It is the 2nd Street Festival, so it couldn't be that hard right?  Walking to the Piazza at Schmidts , on 2nd street from Girard, the first stage became glaringly obvious.  Right smack in the middle of the street!  With logistics out of the way, it was time for fun! The next big show for Brad Hinton Band Looking back, I have the day split into two categories: Before Johnny Brenda's and After Johnny Brenda's .  The Johnny Brenda's bar/venue wasn't involved in the fest...

From time to time, there comes a need to bring fans up to speed with all the goings on with a band.  Hence the "Catching Up With...." series here at Root Down In The Shadow THE MAYBE BOYS RELEASE SHOW Johnny Brenda's September 13th Nearly a year in the works, The Maybe Boys will finally reach its audience.  Headlining their second Johnny Brenda's show this year, Toy Soldiers share the stage with fellow Newport Folk Festival compatriots Kingsley Flood . Get tickets here: Johnny Brenda's Newport Folk Festival?    Yes indeed.  After touring for two weeks with Joe Fletcher and then two more with more with Andrew Combs , it only made total sense that the Toy Soldiers would come along to Newport Folk Festival as well. Joe Fletcher had curated a set so well received by the Newport Folk Fest powers that it got extended from two hours to four.   Even if Philadelphia is neither Nashville nor Newport it is on the route from ...