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Max García Conover - A Sofar Journey - Part 2

If you haven't noticed, we're big fans of Max García Conover.   A few months ago we chronicled Max García Conover's first videos with Sofar Sounds.   Now we're back as there are 2 more to share! Max has now done 8 Sofar Sounds across the country and if the other cities are lucky enough, hopefully more to of these posts will follow. Here's performances from Philadelaphia and Maine:     Eddie's Wine | Sofar Philadelphia As Much a Rising Sun As a Setting One (Part 2) | Sofar Maine   Hopefully his appearance from Nashville will be following soon!

Featured Artist(s) - Bands of Sofar Sounds: Boston

As a music fan, one of my favorite activities is chatting about seeing amazing bands in interesting places.  While I'm stoked to see Pearl Jam later this month in an arena, I was more excited to see Lucius at mid-sized Union Transfer where I could be two feet away from them.  I'm edge of my chair excited to see J. Roddy Walston & The Business, playing the tiny Ortlieb's. Sometimes you know who to look for.  Sometimes you luck out and find amazing where you wouldn't expect it.  Sofar Sounds is a great way of finding magic in unexpected places.  Tonight we'll travel back through the Sofar Sounds: Boston archives for some gems.   Share some videos as you go and don't forget to sign up for your local Sofar Sounds IF you like what you see here, check out our top 20 performances of Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia in honor of their four year anniversary and to take a look at our friend Max García Conover's trip through some Sofar cities. November 2013 ...

Premier Single : Birds Over Arkansas "Forgotten Lights"

Philly/CT band  Birds Over Arkansas ' is currently recording their full length release as a follow up to their 2014  Behind The Lights  EP.  Root Down In The Shadow is proud to debut the first single from this release, "Forgotten Lights." "Forgotten Lights" was first teased in an exclusive release for a RDITS house show in March featuring BOA , Kevin Killen , Chelsea Mitchell , and Max García Conover . Finally ready for the masses, "Forgotten Lights" is helplessly watching a loved one slip away into dementia. The song starts as a mellow Americana groove, and the split at the outro introduces the progressive rock elements to bring in the lyric "the flame blew out again." This was the pivotal point in the lyrics, signifying the change from someone who was slowly losing their faculties who has now seemingly become a different person. The switch from the easy, mellow groove to the frenetic time signature embodies this. Scott Haskitt - ...

Carbon Leaf, the definitive top 10 songs

Photo by Elmo Tham Virginia natives and Philly favorites Carbon Leaf have been serving up their unique brand of alt-country, Celtic, and folk-infused indie rock for 20 years. We put together a list of our top ten Carbon Leaf songs - it was no easy task given their extensive catalog. Here are our favorites in no particular order: What About Everything: The song that first introduced us at Root Down In The Shadow to Carbon Leaf, from their album Indian Summer that received heavy rotation on AAA radio and introduced them to a world-wide audience. Block of Wood: Poignant lyrics offering comfort after the loss of a family member: “In the ash I found an ember, something warm to help remember, a block of wood that used to be, a strong tall family tree.” The Boxer: An encore staple – a raucous, Celtic-infused rocker that won the band an American Music Award in 2002.  The song that EVERYONE knows! Tombstone vs. Ashes: Your body is merely a vessel - spiritual musings on h...

Live at Leo's Place - A Root Down In The Shadow House Show recap

So what's a formula for a successful House Concert. 1. Find bands that fill your soul 2. Invite your like minded music fiends 3. Forget the rest, if you have music & friends nothing else matters. **** Some of you may have noticed some repetition to a Root Down In The Shadow House Concert.  But if a musician fills your soul, why would it be a bad thing to repeat?  Max García Conover , is one of those artists I will gladly go see everytime he comes through, even if it happens to be in a living room or backyard of a friend.  Haunt The House , who are coming this Saturday , is another one of those artists.  But hey, when you find something that works; stick with it. Last Friday we had a special show in Fishtown.  Max had a Thursday slot in Nashville for Sofar Sounds and a gig Saturday in Mt. Holly, NJ; so of course a Philly house show made sense.  Why not? Filling out the line-up were William Doobies & Dan Weirauch of New Sweden and Mike ...

Palmas covers Boyz II Men for #Cover Club / Shares the Love on "I Want To Know (Your Love)

Finally, the last session of Season Three of Cover Club is here.  The final pick is a new band to us.  We first caught them at one of the fantastic Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia shows, this last May at the Old Swede's Church.  While there was little to find on the band out on the web, the intrigue was strong.  And their sound was so much fun!  A little surf, a little sass, a lot of energy! Seemingly coming out of no where, the dudes of Palmas are quickly bringing their East Coast Surf/Soul to the masses.  In just the last few weeks, they have a brand-new Daytrotter Session, their Sofar Sounds: Philadelphia video has been released and of course To The Valley their new EP is available; bringing "warm tones meets bright days incorporating vintage surf rock sounds with present day pop and indie." Today of course is the day we release their #CoverClub Session.   Later today Palmas plays Johnny Brenda's with Surfer Blood plus The Lighthouse and th...

Haunt The House return to Philly for a stripped down House Show

For a special Turkey Saturday edition of the Root Down In The Shadow HQ House Concert series, our pal Will Houlihan , better known by his moniker Haunt The House returns to Philly for a solo show. He's joined by tour mate Zach Schmidt and local favorite David Janes . To get you excited for the show, let's check out some videos that our friends and frequent collaborators Kettle Pot Tracks did this summer.  The first was an unexpected surprise as he recorded a video during the house show this July when the full band played at the RDITS HQ. Haunt the House, "Vampyre" live from RDitS House Show 7/13/15   Haunt the House, "Vampyre" live from RDitS House Show 7/13/15 from Michael Batchelor on Vimeo . While we shared that video this summer, the next video is brand new.  Kettle Pot Tracks were a gracious host to us & Haunt The House and recorded a beautiful On The Hill Session with the band. Haunt the House — Mosquito Coast Haunt the ...