I’ve been a huge fan of the living room show for a long, long time. There’s something you can’t replicate about an intimate show in a small and packed space. The energy and excitedness are high while the equipment set up is tailored and minimal. Nothing beats the feeling of being at one of these things.
Locals Tri State Indie teamed up with So Far Sounds Philadelphia to create an awesome and well versed line-up for their secret show on Sunday. Living within two blocks of the location, I knew I’d be in for a late night.
Andrew Lipke started the evening off with his folky/classical style – emotive content alongside detailed song structure. I loved that he brought along a violinist friend who was there to really help open up sections of his songs. She played gorgeously.
Next up was Delaware’s 6-piece, New Sweden, who I saw for the first time back at the World Cafe Live show where local musicians played from Beck’s Song Reader. I knew I thoroughly enjoyed what I previously had heard but, I had no idea how much more I would fall in love with their sound after last night. Handing instruments back and forth, left and right, every single member had many different influences on the collective foot-stomping sound. And God, did I love the drummer’s homemade percussion setup, an old suitcase with a pedal inside thumping out a hollow beat with a tambourine on top. It was a beautiful thing. Grab their newest (and free!) EP below.
Toy Soliders, locals who have fluctuated at times up to 12 members have now finally found their solid 5-piece working sound. Led by Ron Gallo, the rootsy/raw group traversed through a span of folky tunes all while filming for their upcoming Kickstarter campaign to help release even more new music. Keep track of them via Facebook and catch their raucous Tell The Teller EP below.
And finally, the very first band to play So Far Sounds when it came to Philadelphia – The Lawsuits. I cannot say enough good things about these guys.
Leadman, Brian Dale Allen Strouse, does an incredible job with setting the tempo for their always energetic live sets. By the time these guys took hold of their instruments, the audience was plenty warm and ready after watching all of the amazing artists before them. Such a cohesive energy that’s always present when The Lawsuits get together on stage. There were certainly a fair amount of female musicians in the mix lending their harmonies throughout the evening but this group’s secret weapon, Vanessa Winter, stole the show at the end. Her vocal range is incredible. Listen to their latest EP release and check out their brand new single, “Onion,” over at WXPN’s The Key.
Great music in a boozy living room atmosphere, I was beyond content last night. For music lovers, do check out So Far Sounds and see if they’re operating in a city by you. Hosting one of these things is now on my list of things to do..
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