November sees a number of critically acclaimed female singer-songwriters passing through our city. Our three featured artists range in renown, but they all approach their music with a strong sense of independence. While some may be written off as “one-hit wonders,” all continue to write and perform and will surely put on fabulous shows when they grace Harrisburg’s stages.
SAMANTHA HARLOW, 11/5, 4:30PM, LITTLE AMPS DOWNTOWN, $5 suggested donation: Nashville’s Samantha Harlow is a songwriter who possesses that long sought after one-two punch, a powerful voice that is just as capable of conveying emotion when raised barely above a whisper. With her backing band, she is country at its best, heartbroken with the right amount of attitude. But when playing alone, her delicate approach is just as heartbroken, albeit in a far more introspective register. This is an earlier show, so make sure to stop by on your way home from work.
ANNA NALICK, 11/9, 8PM, HMAC STAGE ON HERR, $15: Anna Nalick is most famous for her 2005 single, “Breathe (2am).” Like so many songwriters suddenly thrust into the spotlight, she quickly found her record label was stifling her creativity. So, she left major label Sony to produce her music independently. Although her more recent work has failed to receive the same kind of radio exposure, she is happy with the trade and will be stopping by Harrisburg’s HMAC on her fall tour. Her songs are infused with a dash of the gothic, backed by haunting arrangements featuring cellos, glockenspiels and toy pianos.
JANIS IAN, 11/21, 8PM, ROSE LEHRMAN ARTS CENTER, $34/$40: Janis Ian, the New York-based singer-songwriter, played an important role in my childhood. Her most famous album, 1975’s “Between the Lines,”was among my mother’s extensive record collection, shelved along with the likes of Carole King and Joan Baez. But her career did not end in the ‘70s. She has continued to record while advocating for the rights of songwriters and musicians through her criticism of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Never afraid to tackle political subjects in her songwriting, Ian’s performance should prove to be powerful, perfect for longtime fans and the newly interested alike.
Mentionables: The People’s Temple, The MakeSpace, 11/7; DRGN KING, Little Amps Downtown, 11/14; Robyn Hitchcock, HMAC Stage on Herr, 11/15; Bill Staines, Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 11/22; The Hackensaw Boys, Abbey Bar, 11/28; Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam, Whitaker Center, 11/28
