Anna K. Jarosz Soars With Latest EP Release at Local Coffeehouse

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Anna K. Jarosz is inspired by the wonder and beauty in the world. It's the little things in life that sometimes get missed; those are the images that peer through her lyrics.

Her songs are enchanting stories that reflect her life and experiences, but Jarosz's elegant yet haunting voice is what makes her stand out in the Philly music scene. Behind the piano one can only think about Tori Amos or Carol King; and the passion in her voice is all Joni Mitchell.

On Saturday, May 7, Jarosz released her latest EP, Bravest of all the Birds and celebrated by taking the headlining spot at . Once again, the coffeehouse gave Newtown Square a little international flair–Jarosz, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, while opening act Nordgarden has been touring the Philly and New York City area from Norway. The pair created a great night of original music.

Nordgarden is one person with many sounds. He began songs by introducing where they were written. The audience was able to grasp a brief glimpse of his time in London and how he tried to brighten up a trip to Berlin with the song, "Keep it Shining n the Inside."

His lyrics are simple and relatable, but his guitar work is something to admire. Nordgarden uses a series of pedals and equipment to create an invisible band. He was able to loop and layer himself to make room for some of his more intricate guitar work. He even pulled the audience into singing back up for him on a few songs.

Nordgarden has an impressive American folk-rock sound. The influence of artists like Springsteen, Young and Wainright can easily be heard. His voice is soulful, gritty, and a little sentimental.

Burlap and Bean is more than just a local coffeehouse to the evening's headliner Jarosz. They have been her visa sponsors since last summer. Originally, she came to the states three years ago on a "0-1" visa, which is for people in the arts (music, film, art).

Jarosz explained this type of visa is a little difficult to obtain, the application process takes awhile and there's a little bit of pressure to obtain your dream. "You have 3 years to pursue your dream," said Jarosz.

She started out in New York City for the first two years, but came across Burlap and Bean online while researching the Philly music scene.

She played as an opener several times as well as headlining the coffeehouse's open mic night. Tara Endicott, cultural arts director for Burlap and Bean, saw the potential in Jarosz and offered to help out with work (she makes a mean latte) and help promote her music in the area. Jarosz ended up spending the summer in the area, but by the time September rolled around she didn't want to leave.

The new EP reflects a growth in her talent musically. She is very proud of both works, but sees Bravest of all the Birds almost as another chapter of her life. The previous album describes a specific time and place that will always be emotionally important.

"In terms of the music itself, although many of the songs are still inspired by personal experiences, you can see a movement in the instrumentation from whistling and old, out-of-tune pianos, to cello and viola string parts, drums and electric guitar," explained Jarosz. "I guess you could say I have veered towards expanding my sound from just piano to embracing the potential of other instruments with the piano."

The decision to release these particular songs as an EP was almost happenstance. She had recorded the five songs in Nashville, TN. The content reflected her life when she arrived to the Big Apple in New York City. The original plan was to put them towards a full-length album. When she brought them back to this local area, producer and musician Kyle Swartzwelder and her began putting the final touches on the recordings and Jarosz began to feel the content of the songs fit well on their own, which resulted in Bravest of all the Birds.

Her set for the evening lulled the crowd into her hypnotic embrace. When listening to Jarosz, you can never decide which is more elegant, her voice or her lyrics. The honesty and irony of her lyrics like "Something has changed since yesterday. I won't say another word," hits a little harder because of the light tone of her voice.

Jarosz played a full set mixing new songs with several older songs like "East," which she wrote for a friend and roommate in Edinburgh. During the set, she invited Swartzwelder and cellist Sarah Lantz to join her in performing several of her new songs.

Towards the end of her set she played her dead-on rendition of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You." After the last song, the crowd begged for an encore and she did not disappoint. Jarosz finished out the evening with the mellow and romantic sounding, "Under the Light of the Moon."