By BRENT ANGELO //
After a long hiatus from live music due to the Covid 19 restrictions, we are finally starting to see live music come back as more have got vaccinated and cases have declined. While the variant may be somewhat an issue in some areas, one of the best and safer options for live music right now is at The Lot at Zidell Yards. The new venue is located on Portland’s waterfront in between the Ross Island Bridge and Tilikum Crossing. The venue is currently running The Lot’s Summer Music Festival just hosting Portland’s own folk trio, Joseph and openers, The Margos. The socially distant setup made things comfortable for all and the weather was perfect for the outdoor event.
Headliner, Joseph is a folk trio from Portland, who started in 2014. Joseph’s name originated from the town of Joseph, Oregon where they spent their early summers. The group consists of sisters, Allison Closner Schepman, Meegan Closner and Natalie Closner. The group took to the Lot stage, three women, three mics, and just one guitar. From the start, it was easy to see their strong family connection, which made their bond in music even stronger. Their three distinct vocals styles when unified created a vocal force. Songs from the most recent and third release, Good Luck, Kid featured some of the night’s best moments. “Green Eyes” was a folk music powerhouse that got some “show sitters” out of their socially distant seats.
Joseph got serious paying tribute to Tom Waits. They performed on a Tom Wait’s 2019 tribute album, Come On Up To The House: Women Sing Waits, which celebrated Tom’s 70th birthday and the group sung on the album’s title track, “Come On Up to The House”. The night’s highlight was from a new and unreleased track, “Holding Out Forever” which was mentioned to be originally written on piano. In a moment of inspiration, the group decided to play this unrehearsed and new song. At the beginning, Allison utilized her cell phone for the early lyrics showing the song’s infancy, but then all three of the ladies connected and this new song soared.
Joseph thanked their sold-out crowd numerous times throughout the night even leaving a handwritten note at each of the seat pods for that personal touch. There was a lot of laughs and mostly there was joy throughout the night. This show along the waterfront was truly a breath of fresh air. Opener for the show was The Margos
Check out the band, Joseph at
https://thebandjoseph.com/
If you are new to Joseph here is introduction
https://youtu.be/Ec-1aZQfm5s
Joseph - Green Eyes (Official Live Video)
https://youtu.be/HFkOQsQQHAc
Opening act The Margos
https://www.themargosband.com/
For more information on the Lot at Zidell Yards and their Summer Music Festival
https://www.thelotatzidellyards.com/
THE LOT AT ZIDELL YARDS - 3030 S Moody Ave -Portland, OR 97201