Ursula Rucker, Ron Gallo, Norwegian Arms and Carroll @ Sofar Sounds.
Text and images by G.W. Miller III.
The first Sofar Sounds show of 2014 was fantastic, as they always are. A huge crowd packed the first floor of Kevin Kennedy‘s South Kensington home, sitting on the floor in utter silence to listen and watch the amazing performances.
Local legend Ursula Rucker opened the night. The mother of four rocked the mic with Wendel Patrick behind her as the DJ and beatboxer. She performed a few songs from her 20 year catalog, ending her set with “Supa Sista.”
Ron Gallo from Toy Soldiers followed with a few new solo tracks that he’s been recording with Up The Chain‘s Reed Kendall (he’s expecting a spring album release). He wrapped up with a cover of “Early in the morning,” which was made famous by the late Harry Nilsson. Ron used a guitar that, by the way, was autographed by the great Wanda Jackson.
Norwegian Arms‘ Brendan Mulvihill then performed an original composition. It was the first time he’d performed solo, he said. He howled, strummed the mandolin, danced around and banged a drumstick against the mandolin, all to a recorded loop.
Carroll, a dreamy, psych-pop quartet from Minneapolis, finished off the night. The guys have been in Philly for a few weeks recording with Jon Low at Miner Street.
“We thank you for your tropical weather,” drummer Charlie Rudoy said.
They were really smooth. They dedicated songs to Dan’s Meats (the Fishtown market) and the artist formerly known as Prince, whom they referred to as their “Purple God.”
Check out page 23 of the winter issue of JUMP to learn more about Sofar.
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 
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