Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Oregon Roots

Portland sister trio Joseph have Oregon Roots

Portland roots-harmony sister trio Joseph take their name from the northeastern Oregon town of Joseph. Band member Allison Closner says she and her sisters spent their summers as children in Joseph visiting their grandfather. “Initially it was the town that inspired us,” Closner explains. “We’d go out there every summer — swimming in the lake and camping and going up in the mountains. It felt like a piece of us.”

Joseph stops by Eugene supporting last year’s acclaimed I’m Alone, No You’re Not, an album full of acoustic-leaning contemporary folk and Americana music centered on the siblings’ high-holy harmonies. 

Closner feels Oregon has its own unique style of roots music. “There’s nothing like the Pacific Northwest,” she says. “Oregon is just so beautiful — so full of all the trees and the fog in the morning. It totally runs in the music, that rootsy, earthy feel.”

But I’m Alone, No You’re Not also shows mainstream pop influences with tracks like “SOS (Overboard)” and “Blood & Tears” recalling Adele’s weepy but ultimately triumphant torch ballads. Closner says she and her sisters have always loved pop music.

On the most recent album, Closner says, “We tried writing with some different writers,” such as Teddy Geiger, known for working with young pop stars like Shawn Mendes. “I think that plays an influence on the pop sound,” she adds. 

 “We all listen to pop music, as well as a lot of different genres. We’re always in for a good dance party. We love that kind of music and wanted to get the opportunity to sing our guts out.”

Joseph plays 9 pm Saturday, April 29, at Hi Fi Music Hall; $20 advance, $22 door, all-ages.