Joseph is an American folk band from Portland, Oregon made up of three sisters: Natalie Closner, and twins Allison Closner and Meegan Closner. Their first album, Native Dreamer Kin, was self-released in early 2014.[1] Their second album I'm Alone, No You're Not was produced by Mike Mogis and was released on August 26, 2016, by ATO Records.[1][2]

Joseph
Joseph performing in 2016.
Joseph performing in 2016.
Background information
OriginPortland, Oregon, United States
Genres
Years active2014–present
Labels
Members
  • Natalie Closner
  • Allison Closner
  • Meegan Closner
Websitethebandjoseph.com

History

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Founding and Native Dreamer Kin

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Joseph was formed when Natalie Closner, who had been pursuing a solo singer-songwriter career, recruited her younger twin sisters Meegan and Allison to join her on vocals for a new project.[3] They chose their name as a tribute to the town of Joseph, Oregon and their grandfather Jo.[4] Originally performing under a different name, a label representative said the name did not match the gravitas of their songwriting; they had just been camping in Joseph, a regular activity for them, and decided on the name.[5] They self-released their debut album Native Dreamer Kin in 2014, and built a following playing intimate house shows as a trio accompanied by acoustic guitar and foot drum.[6]

I'm Alone, No You're Not

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Joseph were signed to ATO Records in 2015, releasing an acoustic two-song digital ATO Sessions EP and accompanying video series.[7] In 2015, they recorded I'm Alone, No You're Not with producer Mike Mogis. The album was released on August 26, 2016.[4] It debuted at #1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and remained at the top of the chart for two weeks.[8] They released their first single, "White Flag", on May 24, 2016, with a premiere on NPR's Songs We Love.[1] "White Flag" reached No. 1 on the Adult Alternative Songs chart in October 2016,[9] and charted on Spotify's US Viral Top Ten days after its release.[10] In Fall 2016, Joseph launched an a cappella covers contest,[11] which included submissions from fans, amateur musicians, and college a cappella groups.[12]

The band made their television debut performing "White Flag" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,[13] followed by appearances on Later... with Jools Holland, Ellen, CONAN, CBS This Morning, and NBC's TODAY.[14][15][16] Prior to the album's release, the band was named a Spotify Spotlight Artist and toured with James Bay. The band re-joined Bay as support on a sold-out arena tour in Fall 2016.[17][18] Joseph has performed both as an acoustic trio and a full band at music festivals across the globe including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Sasquatch Festival, Glastonbury, Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, Pilgrimage Music Festival and more.[19][20][21]

They released a seven track EP, Stay Awake, on September 15, 2017.[22]

Good Luck, Kid

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On July 9, 2019, the band announced on social media and their website their new album Good Luck, Kid would be released September 13, 2019. The first single, Fighter, was described on Twitter by Meegan as "a song looking you in the eye and asking you to come alive and fight.[23] It’s asking you to wake up and make a choice to have presence for what and who is in front of you." The title track, Good Luck Kid, was released as a single on August 13, 2019.

The Sun

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On January 25, 2023, the band announced their new album The Sun would be released April 28, 2023. The first single, titled Nervous System, was released alongside the announcement.[24] This was followed by the title track, The Sun, as a single on March 17, 2023, and then a third single, Fireworks, on April 25, 2023.[25]

Starting Over At The End and Allison's departure

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On August 2, 2024, the band announced that Allison would be stepping away from the band "for the foreseeable future" after completing their then-current tour, and that a new album had already been in the works by the two remaining sisters.[26] Five days later the band released Starting Over At The End, their first song as a duo.[27]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak positions
US
[28]
US
Alt.

[29]
US
Folk

[30]
US Indie
[31]
US Rock
[32]
Native Dreamer Kin
  • Released: March 12, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, digital download
I'm Alone, No You're Not
  • Released: August 26, 2016
  • Label: ATO Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
104 8 3 9 9
Good Luck, Kid
  • Released: September 13, 2019
  • Label: ATO Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
[A] 17 15
The Sun
  • Released: April 28, 2023
  • Label: ATO Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Title Album details
ATO Records Session
  • Released: December 1, 2015[34]
  • Label: ATO Records
  • Formats: digital download
Stay Awake
  • Released: September 8, 2017[35]
  • Label: ATO Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Trio Sessions Vol.1
  • Released: January 31, 2020[36]
  • Label: ATO Records
  • Formats: digital download

Singles

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As lead artist

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA

[37]
US
Rock
Air.

[38]
MEX
[39]
"White Flag"[40] 2016 1 43 34 I'm Alone, No You're Not
"SOS (Overboard)"[41] 13
"Planets"[42]
"California Dreamin'"[43] 2017 Non-album singles
"Sister Winter"[44] 2018
"Fighter" 2019 10 Good Luck, Kid
"NYE"[45] 29
"Sauce"[46] 2020 Non-album singles
"NYE (Violents Remix)"[47]
"Nervous System" 2023 34 The Sun
"The Sun"
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Title Year Album
"Still Life"[48]
(Henry Jamison featuring Joseph)
2020 Tourism
"Cracks in the Ceiling"[49]
(Devon Gilfillian featuring Joseph)
Black Hole Rainbow

Notes

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  1. ^ Good Luck, Kid did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number four on the Top Heatseekers Albums Chart.[33]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Christensen, David (2016-05-24). "Songs We Love: Joseph, 'White Flag'". NPR. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  2. ^ "I'm Alone, No You're Not by Joseph". Apple Music. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  3. ^ "Natalie Closner Schepman". Response. Seattle Pacific University. 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
  4. ^ a b "Sibling Trio Joseph Conjure Vocal Alchemy On ATO Records Debut 'I'm Alone, No You're Not' Out August". Shore Fire Media. 2016-05-24. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  5. ^ "Joseph • The Kate". The Kate (As shared on the TV special.). Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  6. ^ Guido, Emma (2015-06-03). "Interview: Joseph". Mind Equals Blown. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  7. ^ "Joseph signs to ATO – watch their ATO Session now!". ATO Records. 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  8. ^ "Heatseekers Albums – 2016 Archive". Billboard Charts Archive. Retrieved 2016-09-15.
  9. ^ "Alternative Music: Top Alternative Songs Chart". Billboard. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  10. ^ "Joseph Unveil Music Video For "White Flag" Following Fallon Performance and Spotify Viral Success". Shore Fire Media. 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2016-09-15.
  11. ^ Closner, Natalie (2016-09-20). "It's an a cappella contest!!". Joseph. Retrieved 2017-07-21.
  12. ^ "Joseph A Cappella". YouTube. Retrieved 2017-07-21.
  13. ^ NBC.com (2016-06-24), Joseph: White Flag – The Tonight Show, archived from the original on 2016-06-27, retrieved 2016-06-27
  14. ^ "Mesmerizing Sibling Trio Joseph Perform Live With NY Times From Electric Lady Studios At Noon ET Tod". 2016-08-26. Retrieved 2016-09-15.
  15. ^ TheEllenShow (2016-10-25), "Joseph Performs 'White Flag'!", YouTube, retrieved 2018-09-09
  16. ^ "Joseph will be appearing on CONAN Thursday, September 1st, 2016". TeamCoco. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  17. ^ "Sibling Trio Joseph Conjure Vocal Alchemy On ATO Records Debut 'I'm Alone, No You're Not' Out August 26". Red Light Management. 2016-05-24. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  18. ^ Hartling, B. (2016-10-08). "James Bay with Joseph live at the Fillmore – Detroit, Michigan – October 4, 2016". Music Life Magazine. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  19. ^ "Shows". Joseph. Retrieved 2017-07-21.
  20. ^ Morales, Roger (2017). "Video: Joseph is having more fun than anyone at Lollapalooza 2017". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  21. ^ Horn, Rachel (2017-08-11). "Joseph, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017". NPR. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  22. ^ "Stay Awake by Joseph", ATO RECORDS, 2017-09-15, retrieved 2023-05-01
  23. ^ "Here's who is appearing on the Jools Holland Hootenanny on New Year's Eve". inews.co.uk. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  24. ^ "Sister trio Joseph have announced their new studio album The Sun, and have released "Nervous System" as the lead outing". www.thelineofbestfit.com. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  25. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: JOSEPH Unveil New Single "Fireworks"". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  26. ^ @thebandjoseph (2 August 2024). "a friend of ours said "no one can leave a family band"..." – via Instagram.
  27. ^ @thebandjoseph (7 August 2024). "Our new song Starting Over At The End..." – via Instagram.
  28. ^ "Joseph Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  29. ^ "Joseph – Chart History: Alternative Albums". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  30. ^ "Joseph – Chart History: Americana/Folk Albums". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  31. ^ "Joseph Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  32. ^ "Joseph Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  33. ^ "Joseph – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  34. ^ "ATO Session (Live) – Single by Joseph on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). December 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  35. ^ "Stay Awake by Joseph on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). 8 September 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  36. ^ "Trio Sessions: Vol.1 EP- Single by Joseph on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  37. ^ "Joseph Chart History: AAA". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  38. ^ "Joseph Chart History: Rock & Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  39. ^ "Joseph Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  40. ^ "White Flag by Joseph on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). January 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  41. ^ "SOS (Overboard) by Joseph on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). January 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  42. ^ "Planets by Joseph on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). 23 November 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  43. ^ "California Dreamin' – Single by Joseph on Apple Music". 13 October 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  44. ^ "Sister Winter B/W Rest – Single by Joseph on Apple Music". 12 December 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  45. ^ "NYE by Joseph on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). 30 December 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  46. ^ "Sauce – Single by Joseph on Apple Music". 30 November 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  47. ^ "NYE (Violents Remix) – Single by Joseph & Violents on Apple Music". December 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  48. ^ "Still Life (feat. Joseph) – Single by Henry Jamison on Apple Music". 28 February 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  49. ^ "Cracks In The Ceiling (feat. Joseph) – Single by Devon Gilfillian on Apple Music". 19 August 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
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