JOSEPH - “Green Eyes” (Trio Sessions)

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Lucius, The Staves, HAIM

It has been seven years since JOSEPH debuted at SXSW as a sisterly folk band, but they have only grown in stature and ability since then, adding indie rock, pop, and chamber folk approaches to their toolkit. Their latest studio effort was 2019’s Good Luck, Kid, the band’s most ambitious, mature effort and a tight showcase of their hooky folk songwriting. JOSEPH have gotten a bit back to their roots since then with the release of two volumes of the Trio Sessions, an opportunity for JOSEPH to pare back their sound to its acoustic roots. Reinterpreting their catalog this way gives the band even more depth and shows off the sweet harmonies that made JOSEPH stand out with their debut. JOSEPH performs Thursday night at Continental Club alongside recommend acts Mojo Nixon, Buffalo Nichols, and S.G. Goodman. (Kevin McStravick)

2015 Review: Admittedly, Joseph had me at “3-part sister harmonies”. That element is the easy standout on the folk rock band’s debut Native Dreamer Kin, blending blues and pop in a focus, studied way. Their first record lives mostly in quiet, choral territory (“Tell Me There’s A Garden”, “Come In Close”), accompanied at the top by some percussive Americana (“Wind”, “Cloudline”). Native Dream Kin winds itself down to a contemplative, minimal back half, closed out with the floating melodies and chamber waves of “Eyes to the Sky”. I’m going with an unreleased live track for Joseph’s spotlights - “Planets” displays the sisters’ complex harmonies at their best and a it’s a jaw-dropping moment.