Open Mic

With her powerful new album LEGACY and an opener for Jason Isbell, Nashville singer-songwriter KYSHONA has been putting her amazing artistry in front of tens of thousands of new fans. Catch her in the intimate setting of Caffe Lena this Thursday! As “One of the most compassionate and uplifting young voices in Nashville today.” (NPR) Kyshona began her career as a music therapist, writing her first songs with students and inmates under her care. Her original roots, rock, R&B, and folk has drawn praise from Rolling Stone, NPR, Billboard and CMT.

Toronto singer-songwriter Abigail Lapell is our Bright Series pick for May. In the words of Brooklyn Vegan, "Abigail writes songs that stop you in your tracks." She's coming to Lena's on Thursday for her very first visit to the Capital Region. “Traces of Natalie Merchant, Sharon Van Etten, Frazey Ford and Sandy Denny." – Folk Radio UK  Her '70s folk-rock vibe feels unhurried and other-worldly. Over the past five years, she has garnered two prestigious Canadian Folk Music Awards, hit number one on Canadian folk radio and currently has more than 350K monthly listeners on Spotify, and climbing fast. But as good as her recordings are, her live show is even better. She has wisdom and charisma that grabs your attention and doesn't let it go.

The Polish women of Polky play our Nordlys Global Voices Series this Sunday. There's a good chance dancing will break out! Now living in Toronto, Polky celebrates music’s unity and invites us to revel in the joy of life. Their debut album was nominated in three categories at the Canadian Folk Music Awards 2022, ultimately clinching the Traditional Singer of The Year Award for the talented Ewelina Ferenc.

Armed with a guitar, a deadpan sense of humor, killer songs, and a voice that makes tough guys cry, Lucy Wainwright Roche is the daughter of Suzzy Roche (The Roches) and multiple Grammy-winner Loudon Wainwright III. Her music is gentle, well-crafted contemporary folk that eases us in with flat-footed authenticity, and then lets loose with beauty and drama. For fans of Bon Iver and Sheryl Crow.

Thank you for taking a moment to read this weekly update from Caffe Lena. I'm sure you have no shortage of emails to read. I want this virtual visit to remind you of what it feels like to come in person to a place where tables are shared, kindness reigns, and the music is superb. Tuesday's Rochmon Record Club will be devoted to honoring all those musicians who went on to the angel choir in 2023. I know it will be a tender, heartfelt night of great songs. The Lost Radio Rounders (Friday) will be full of nostalgia, as well. They specialize in lots of laughter and songs of long ago, including some you'll definitely sing along on. Nefesh Mountain (Saturday) has sold out in-person, but you can stream the show. Their Jewish-American roots music brings love and light during a time of heartbreak for all those affected by the war in Gaza--which is all of us.