Root Down in the Shadow

The final #CoverClub entry from Nomad Recording Studios session 2.0 is here at last.  We're proud to present Up The Chain covering The Lawsuits .  Rounding out an intense line-up of Sean Hoots covering Boyz II Men 'It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday' , DRGN KING 's Dominic Angelella covering the iconic Dead Milkmen , and The Bernhardt Family Band covering Toy Soldiers, Up The Chain takes on the most challenging cover of the session. Originally known as "Walk You Home", the song was originally a track by the Lawsuits frontman Brian Dale Allen Strouse on his solo release Peace, Turkey!, "Walk You Home" is one of many love songs written by Brian Strouse through the years and featuring Brian on piano with a little harmonica.  Unfortunately, the song was not well-known as the album was overshadowed by the more successful Lawsuits release Darleen , put out in the same time period.   Here's the original track by Brian Dale Allen Str

In just under two weeks, a very special edition of #CoverClub will take place live at Church of Kong .  This is the monthly series featuring TJ Kong of TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb and a selection of rotating friends.  The series is a wonderful way to wake up on a sleepy Center City Philly morning.  The combination of the Nodding Heads killer brews, yummy menu and live tunes are great.  When you allow the Kong touch on the lineup to be applied and it's a fantastic morning. LIVE AT CHURCH OF KONG The Cover Club crew is eager to capture some new TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb for our Philly-centric cover series.  The original track stands to be one of their brand new songs, while the Philly-centric cover is yet to be announced.  Come join us to see the tapings before they are released in the upcoming months on YouTube. Be sure to stay for the intense line-up.  Ron Gallo returns for another Church of Kong, as he selects from new solo work and his library of Toy Soldiers tune

by Mariel Lorenz & Dan McGurk When you pull up to East Coast Recording Studio at 780 Falcon Drive, tucked away off of a Street Road industrial park in a Warminster, PA, you’ll see FUGE in huge letters above the entrance of the building. This was once part of the Naval Air Development Center Johnsville .  The centerpiece of this park was a centrifuge where future astronauts came to experience what the force of gravity felt like on their bodies. Technologies, like GPS, that we depend on so much today saw its development here too. Although the Navy has left the facility more than 20 years, the centrifuge is still there as part of an event space. Many companies have also moved in to set up shop, but one company here could raise a few eyebrows – a recording studio ran by a Grammy Award winning producer. Levee Drivers at N.A.S.A. control? East Coast Recording boasts an 1100 square foot live room. Not only could a band fit in here, but 50-70 of their friends as well

We're back for more from brand new band Leaf & Tree via #CoverClub.  Earlier this week, we debuted the Leaf & Tree cover of Levee Drivers' "Bourbon Coated" recorded at Breakneck Studios .  Today we debut original track "Hunter's Ridge" and spend some time getting to know Leaf & Tree creator Peter Joseph . Cover Club | Leaf & Tree 'Hunter's Ridge' In the last year you've produced & played on Chelsea Mitchell's "Married In The Aviary" and are producing and mixing Philly singer/songwriter Liam Gallagher's new album. What keeps you the most motivated: your own work, playing with others, or producing others. I would say working with someone else on a project keeps me more motivated because I don't want to let anyone down. I have more of a sense of responsibility when I feel like someone else is counting on me. Which seems backwards, but it is why I haven't finished my own pro

Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia - February 2014 The Art Dept welcomed Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia Photos by Lindsey Borgman Photo by Lindsey Borgman, Poster by Jennifer Prough Going to Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia on a monthly basis is a chance for renewal.  It's always a fresh start as you head to a place you've never been, to open yourself up to four bands you might not have listened to yet, and be ready for an unexpected set of emotions.  I found my destination - the bright, open gallery known as the Art Dept. I walked into the space and was immediately drawn to artwork displayed of these characters.  Part of the current exhibition Everybody Dates: New work by Ellen Haines , the figures were charming and their thoughts were interesting and funny.  Before bands had begun it was already a good night, I chatted with a few folks as the crowd gathered in and soon enough it was time to take our seats on the hardwood floor.  I was ready to let the Sofar Sounds experience b

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 product fo

It's # CoverClub time again and this week we unveil the final artist from our Breakneck Recording Studios / Cover Club session 2.0: Leaf & Tree covering Levee Drivers .  Leaf & Tree is the fourth of four artists we invited to record for this session, including Levee Drivers covering Chris Kasper , Lucy Stone covering Cruiser , and Mat Burke covering the Menzingers .  Recorded on a chilly January day, we took to the cozy confines of the intimate Breakneck Studios. Leaf & Tree at Breakneck Studios As sole founder and mastermind, Peter Joseph is no stranger to the angular attic space lovingly known as Breakneck Studios. Under his care and guidance, Breakneck has quickly become the fountainhead of fine-tuned Bucks County folk rock, including that of Peter’s own project, Leaf & Tree. It’s also the birthplace of Cover Club, which likely would never have come to fruition if not for Peter and his seemingly unremarkable - yet somehow magical - attic.  A few months