There are a number of ways to think about the month of April. As the old adage goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” which reminds us that sometimes-gloomy moments foretell future joys. But, for many, April is the first true month of warm sun after a long, dreary winter, a time to start rocking sandals instead of woolen socks.
Our slate this month reflects this season of diverse moods. At times, the selections are raucous and uplifting. At other times, they are somber and morose. But that doesn’t mean that one mood is better than the other. As a certain Oscar award-winning animated feature tells us, you can’t have joy without some sadness. So, explore the full range of your emotions this month with another wonderful round of musical performances here in the state capital.
JEWEL, 4/9, 8PM, THE FORUM, $39.50-$69.50:
Those of us who experienced a ‘90s adolescence will be familiar with Jewel’s mythology. She grew up in Alaska in a home without indoor plumbing. She lived in a car while touring the country before being discovered. These stories, along with her penchant for storytelling, solidified her reputation as one of the last troubadours of the 20th century. But focusing too much on her past obscures the fact that she has continued to record and tour, receiving critical acclaim along the way. She is coming to Harrisburg in support of her 2015 release, “Picking Up the Pieces,” which has been heralded as a return to the folk music that earned her such wide praise. Jewel herself entered the recording process actively trying to forget all she had learned about the music business in an effort to tap into her authentic roots. So, join her as she takes the stage as the storyteller that America fell in love with 20 years ago.
VITA AND THE WOOLF, 4/15, 8PM, H*MAC STAGE ON HERR, $10:
Formed in Philadelphia, this project is the vision of Jennifer Pague. Gifted with a powerful and soulful voice, she has drawn comparisons to Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine. With a name inspired by the famed and tragic romance between Vita Sackville and Virginia Woolf, the group features music that is romantic yet haunting, skirting the line between soulful R&B and gothic operatics. For a two-piece, they definitely know how to fill the room with sound. They also know how to change pace, alternating between upbeat tunes with driving beats and mournful dirges. While it may not be the most joyful show you’ll see, the group’s musical range will satisfy many diverse tastes.
PALE BARN GHOSTS, 4/22, 9PM, ZERØDAY BREWING CO., FREE:
Of all the bands and artists I’ve featured in this column, this band may be the most aptly named. Conjuring up dusty and haunting records of the Great Depression, this Pennsylvania four-piece likes to refer to their particular brand of folk-rock as “cemetery folk.” Like any good folk outfit, they sing about hard living, heartbreak and the open road. Strong acoustic strumming, gravelly vocals and jangly electric guitar textures make this band a great representation of the ways in which 21st-century songwriters are recovering old-fashioned music and making it their own. This show is reason enough to schedule a trip to Harrisburg’s cozy artisan brewery.
Mentionables: John Brown’s Body, 4/8, Abbey Bar; Genesis Lorraine w/The Start, 4/8, H*MAC Stage on Herr; Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, 4/15, Abbey Bar; Music for Murals, 4/17, River City Blues Club; Colt Wilbur Band, 4/29, H*MAC Stage on Herr
