Review: Joseph at 9:30 Club

Harmony can’t be faked. The first time I remember hearing live music that centered around vocal harmonies (incidentally, a family bluegrass band), I simultaneously fell back into my seat and sat on the edge of my seat - even at seven years old I recognized the ethereal magic that comes from voices weaving in and out and around each other. Joseph is a band for harmony lovers. I said “incidentally” above because Natalie (Closner) Schepman, Allison Closner, and Meegan Closner, the ladies at the front of Joseph, are indeed sisters. And while harmony is great, family harmony is unmatched.

Joseph opened their set at 9:30 Club in October 2 with soaring vocals from “In My Head” off of their newest album “Good Luck, Kid” - an album with no weak tracks and plenty of movement, which set up high expectations for a live show. All three sisters trade off on lead vocals, each with a distinct energy and emphasis which nonetheless is grounded in the common familial center, which is where the harmonies come in. I personally was looking forward to “Half Truths” and Allison, with her heartfelt, piercing cry, sang it home. The loudness and energy of live music often threaten to undercut the harmonies on any given track but Joseph managed to balance it all.

“Half Truths” is a perfect track to listen to for an idea of what I’m referring to with the energy and harmony balance; pay close attention to how the back two sisters support and complement Allison’s beautiful melody. Another stand out track was “Without You” showing off Natalie’s ability to stomp and belt out, and their cover of Amy Grant’s “Baby Baby” with their opening act Deep Sea Diver pandered to my memory of the 90s music growing up.

The best moment of the evening was when the set narrowed in to focus on the vocals — not at the expense of the band, who were great, but clearly my interest is the vocal harmonies. “I Don’t Mind” and “Room For You” showcased their voices perfectly and completely captured the attention of the room. We can only hope more bands (and families) like Joseph will continue to hone and refine this type of singing since it only enhances the pop / rock / alternative / singer-songwriter music that encases it.