by Alyse Horn
Broadcasted internationally out of a Fishtown apartment Sunday night, four different musical acts brought dozens of people together to participate in “A Very Sofar Christmas.”
Sofar is “the world’s largest live music discovery community; curating secret, intimate gigs in unique spaces all around the world,” according to its website.
All photos by Alyse Horn
Brian Dale Allen Strouse was the first out of four gigs to perform that night, opening up with “Blue Christmas.” Strouse also played “If You Don’t Love Me (I’ll Kill Myself)” by Pete Droge, which is featured in the movie Dumb and Dumber. During his third song, Strouse showcased angelic finger strumming on his guitar strings while playing “Dreaming #26”. Strouse is a member of the band The Lawsuits, but played solo for Sofar.
Dominic Angelella from the band Drgn King followed Strouse, and was able to break the four song rule of Sofar by performing two shorter songs, one of which was a tune from the Charlie Brown show. Coincidentally, Angelella was playing the guitar he got for Christmas when he was 12-years-old.
After a brief intermission to replenish libations, The Naked Sun captured the crowd with its authentic sound and lyrics. The band played original songs, but ended with Paul Baribeau’s “Christmas Lights” because the song is kind of depressing “but so are the holidays,” frontman Andrew Wesley Harris said. This performance was one of their last before the band goes into hibernation to record its new album.
The Kalob Griffin Band ended the night with its folk/rock & roll sound that seamlessly tied into the previous three performances. The third song was a cover of “How To Make Gravy” by Paul Kelly, with lyrics that portrays an interesting view on being in prison during the holidays.
Sofar asked attendees to gather non-perishable food to benefit Philabundance and those who did were entered in a raffle for free merchandise.
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