The Power of Sisterhood

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than to see Joseph in concert – a band of three sisters from Oregon. I got tickets to the show sort of last minute and was able to convince a friend to come with me to sit in the second to last row of the balcony at The Tower Theater. As we arrived, the openers, Evan Thomas Way, were serenading the crowd with a mellow rock tune.

Soon after the openers were done, the lights dimmed and Joseph took the stage - the three sisters taking their spots behind the three microphones set up front and center, with the support of a keyboardist, bassist, and drummer settling in behind them. The females at the forefront in their lead roles and the males in the back in their supporting roles is still a rare sight. Although we live in a time where more and more female artists are finding their voice and people are starting to listen, it still seems as though the norm is male predominant bands - with a female keyboardist or bassist here and there. Despite the progress the music and other industries have made to embrace women in their fields, it was still refreshing to see three females leading the way on the stage that night.

Dressed in a variety of colors and styles – the sisters’ wardrobes looked as if they had just scored a sweet haul from the local thrift store; each outfit setting each apart from one another in a colorful conglomerate of styles. Natalie, the feisty brunette guitar player, wore dark pants with a red stripe up the side of each leg, delightfully reminding me of my high school marching band uniform (though she made it look much cooler). Meegan, the middle sister (from a stage perspective) rocked a loud pair of flowered pants that flowed perfectly with each movement. And Allie on the left rounded out the trio with some bad ass plaid pants that gave off some Mad Men vibes in the best way possible.

The band opened with In My Head, one of the songs off their latest albums, Good Luck, Kid. The song was the perfect opener to get the crowd tapping their feet and moving their shoulders in their seats of the theater. Each verse of Joseph’s songs is beautiful on its own, however the true power of the band’s connection shines during the choruses as the three sisters sing in harmony - supporting each other’s voices and lifting each other’s energy. After Canyon, the opening song of their previous album I’m Alone, No You’re Not, the band moved into Green Eyes, a powerful showcase of their voices and provoking sound while maintaining impeccable diction. By the end of the song, I was completely hooked. The sisters engaged the crowd – encouraging us to stand up for certain songs that were meant to move to and adding little tidbits of commentary between each song. In the middle of their set, the rest of the band took a break while the three women were left on stage to really prove their musical abilities without the support of the other instruments. By the end of the show, I was left to wonder how one family was blessed with such raw and undeniable talent, but that was a thought I was willing to keep as a mystery.

In a time when genre bending artists and indie folk bands are far from hard to find scrolling through Spotify, Joseph seems to have a hidden draw that pulls you in. As I listened to the sisters take turns leading on vocals and accompanying one other in voice and in spirit, I tried to put my finger on what was so captivating about the trio. When I stopped trying to figure it out and allowed myself to be immersed in their sound and energy, I realized that, for me, that draw was simple – and something at the band’s core. It was the undeniable wonder of sisterhood. From the subtle looks given to one another to the witty banter shared between songs, their sisterhood welcomed us all in that night. It made me feel right at home, and it reminded me how lucky I am to experience that bond for myself.

Music and sisterhood have been two things I have always held dear to my heart. Although seemingly very different on the surface, what they both have below their literal definitions is a foundation of community. When I need to heal, I turn to the melodies of my favorite songs and the wisdom of my sister. When I need to celebrate, I turn up the volume on my favorite artists and dance with my sister. When I need to laugh, cry, mourn, motivate, decide, confide - I find the support I need within the company of music or the company of my sister, or more often than not - both. When Joseph combines the power of music with the power of sisterhood, what results is a beautiful, welcoming form of art that invites all that are willing to join into one powerful community of love.

Concerts often leave me feeling satisfied, but this one filled me with a different kind of satisfaction. It could have been because the calendar was claiming the day as International Women’s Day, or maybe it was that I got to dance around the balcony of The Tower Theater unapologetically with one of my best gal pals, or perhaps it was that I had just witnessed three women own the stage and control a theater full of people through music and movement. Whatever the reason may be, I walked out of that theater with a smile reaching ear to ear and a feeling in my heart reaching deep down in my soul – a feeling of possibility, of fulfillment, of simple happiness. As we made our way back to the car, the winter evening laid a blanket of white snow across the ground. After complaining about the late winter inconvenience the flurries had caused on the way to the concert, my friend said to me “now even the snow looks pretty!”. And there it was – once again, proof of the magic of music.

Annie MarieMarch 15, 2020