Catching Up With... The Toy Soldiers

From time to time, there comes a need to bring fans up to speed with all the goings on with a band.  Hence the "Catching Up With...." series here at Root Down In The Shadow

THE MAYBE BOYS RELEASE SHOW Johnny Brenda's September 13th

Nearly a year in the works, The Maybe Boys will finally reach its audience.  Headlining their second Johnny Brenda's show this year, Toy Soldiers share the stage with fellow Newport Folk Festival compatriots Kingsley Flood.

Get tickets here: Johnny Brenda's

Newport Folk Festival?  

Yes indeed.  After touring for two weeks with Joe Fletcher and then two more with more with Andrew Combs, it only made total sense that the Toy Soldiers would come along to Newport Folk Festival as well.

Joe Fletcher had curated a set so well received by the Newport Folk Fest powers that it got extended from two hours to four.   Even if Philadelphia is neither Nashville nor Newport it is on the route from "Nashville to Newport", so naturally Toy Soldiers still fit in!!

For the event, the Toy Soldiers backed Andrew Combs for his set, played one Toy Soldiers song 'Heart in a Mousetrap', and backed Joe Fletcher for a couple more.  Also during the every growing Newport Folk Festival weekend, they backed Andrew Combs again at a Deer Tick after party, and gave the afterhours Newport Folk Festival crazies their first full exposure of Toy Soldiers with their own set, at another after party show!

Tour Warriors 

In the last few months, Toy Soldiers have shared a stage with many great bands such as J. Roddy Walston and the Business, and hit the road with Joe Fletcher and Andrew Combs.

The J. Roddy Walston and the Business show was Sunday August 11th as part of the incredible Rockabilly Rumble at World Cafe Live the Queen.  Also on the bill were Wanda Jackson, Woody Pines, and many more.  Wanda Jackson didn't make the event, being replaced by a second set by the buzz band J. Roddy Walston and the Business. 

Next on the Toy Soldiers world domination list was the Philadelphia Folk Festival.   Along with other local bands,
The Lawsuits and The Stray Birds, they kicked off the festival with a Friday afternoon set.  The Festival itself, going on this weekend, included Spirit Family Reunion, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ali Wadsworth and more!

UP NEXT: Brandywine Folk Festival

Locally, the Brandywine Folk Festival seems to be coming out of nowhere.  Looking like a major player in the festival landscape, they have an incredible NPR-ish/folk/indie lineup.  Toy Soldiers play on the jammed packed Saturday.

Friday:  Sean Hoots Trio, Roadkill Ghost Choir, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, The Districts, Norwegian Arms, the Levee Drivers, Fleeting Ends, and more

Saturday:  Good Old War, Pearl and the Beard, Toy Soldiers, the Lawsuits, Sun Flights, and MORE

Sunday: Cheers Elephant, Nicos Gun, Secret Sisters, Mean Lady, and MORE

 For more information on the fest try here: BrandywineFolkFestival.com/2013

Converse Rubber Tracks

Perhaps most famous for the Mark Foster + Atrak + Kimbra track 'Warrior', Converse Rubber Tracks,  gives bands an outlet for some tracks at Converse.com and affiliated Converse sites, offering recording for FREE.

Toy Soldiers were accepted earlier in the year and laid down 4 tracks, which you can pick up at shows ON VINYL!!

1. Throw Me Down
2. Love Ya Like I Love Ya
3. I'm a Hog For You Baby
4. Weeping Willow (Shuffle)

The FINAL Ron Gallo Revue:   

For a year now, the Ron Gallo Review has been bringing great music to the mid-week late night crowd at Fergie's Pub.  Bands such as Joe Fletcher, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Levee Drivers, Lawsuits, Districts, and TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb have all joined the Ron Gallo curated lineups on stage.

The September 4th review is rumored to include many hot names.  One confirmed act has promised it to be a blow out. 

Don't worry; it's not the end of Ron Gallo curated events.  The 3x3 kicked off earlier this year at Ortliebs, featuring 3 bands and 3 comedians. Guaranteed it's the best spent $3 in town!!!

KICKSTARTER

Often times in the crazy world that is the record industry, an awesome album will sit.  Despite having the best producer (Bill Moriarty) and great gigs (see above).  The Maybe Boys was looking like a maybe not for getting a proper release. 

Through crowd sourcing site, Kickstarter, the Toy Soldiers fans stepped up to the plate and pledged $14,350 of the $12,000 goal.  The Kickstarter itself was a sure thing.  Offering up incredible rewards such as downloads, vinyl, t-shirts, guest-listing, and much more, Toy Soldiers were able to front load their merchandise relationship with fans in exchange for getting the record out in style.

Check out this awesome package secured by Root Down In The Shadow HQ!

Pledge $75 or more

You selected

16 backers

Digital download, CD & Vinyl of The Maybe Boys upon release + sticker, Maybe Trails DVD. Digital download of Converse Rubber Tracks Sessions EP, physical copy of Live at Springhouse Sound EP upon release + download right away, Ron's solo album Live at Ortlieb's, and link to a 24-hour private stream of The Maybe Boys, in its entirety, as soon as this campaign is successfully funded. PLUS, a t-shirt, koozie and tote bag AND 2 guest list passes to a show of your choosing on our tour schedule (excludes festivals)!

 Holy crap that's a lot of stuff!   It was a great deal for fans, and now both fans and the band will be geared up and ready for the release!!