April 22, 2026
The April Songbird concert showcased the talent and storytelling of Emily Higgins, Steve Carosello, John Krane, and John Ellis.
The April 22 Songbird Concert carried a thoughtful, grounded energy. It was an evening shaped less by volume and more by intention, where each set invited the audience to lean in a little closer.
John Krane opened the night with a natural ease, weaving humor and narrative into songs that felt both offbeat and familiar. His storytelling drew the audience into vivid, unexpected scenes, balancing charm with a quiet depth that set the tone for the evening.
Making his Songbird debut, John Ellis followed with a set grounded in musicality and structure. His songs carried a sense of intention, blending melody and composition in a way that felt both thoughtful and accessible, adding a steady, engaging rhythm to the night.
Steve Carosello brought a shift in energy, delivering a performance that carried both reverence and weight. His set moved fluidly between moments of delicacy and intensity, offering something reflective and, at times, almost transportive.
Emily Higgins closed the round with a sense of place that felt both personal and expansive. Her songs moved between memory and landscape, blending past work with new material in a way that felt lived-in and deeply rooted, leaving the room in a quiet, resonant space.
What defined the night was its cohesion. Each artist approached songwriting from a different angle, yet together, they created a throughline of craft, curiosity, and connection that made the evening feel complete without ever feeling predictable.
📸: Auset Sarno
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
Emily Higgins
Steve Carosello
John Krane
John Ellis
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Singer-songwriter Emily Higgins returns to her hometown and The Focal Point to bring the audience of Songbird Cafe original songs from past years along with new music. She previously performed at The Focal Point solo, and with her bands Auntie Em and the Tornadoes and The HigLeeWils.
Under Emily's belt are four all-original collections; "Singing River," "The House at the End of the Road," and "On the Square." Emily's fourth collection of originals, "91 Acres," was commissioned by a rural Missouri landowner and highlights stories of land reclamation, wildlife, geographical features, nature and apiculture.
She resides in the hills of the beautiful Missouri Ozarks which has served as inspiration for many of her songs.
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A fixture of the St. Louis music scene since the 1980s, Steve Carosello consistently offers expressive, moving interpretations of his own compositions and those of others. A founding member, frontman, and songwriter for The Love Experts, Steve also collaborates with Charlie Brumley in the group Palaver.
You may have experienced one of Steve's showstopping performances at a REM or Byrds' tribute or at the annual Rough Shop Christmas Extravaganza. One of St. Louis's most respected musicians, Steve's songs and performances leave an indelible impression.
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Based in Collinsville, John Krane writes story-driven songs about love, payphones, and secret government weapons. Until 2016, he was the lead singer for brotherfather, which was described as an "indie rock powerhouse" by the Riverfront Times (RFT).
He was also one of the three songwriters in The Chimps, a St. Louis vocal group that performed regularly at the Focal Point. The Chimps' album, Play No Evil, was reviewed by the RFT as a "thoroughly cohesive effort that shows off some of the best of what the city's singer-songwriter scene has to offer."
The Riverfront Times described his original songs as "showing an offbeat but charming wit" and "an uncanny knack for turning a scene into a story." He's been compared (mostly favorably) to John Prine and Paul Simon. -
Driven by a deep fascination with the architecture and history of music, John is a musician and songwriter who finds inspiration in the art of chord progressions and the threads that connect harmony, melody, and rhythm. With a mind for music theory and an ear for melody and chord structure, John crafts songs that are uniquely captivating and fresh, and inspired by the spirit of pop and melodic folk music. Making his debut Songbird appearance, John is set to delight his audience with catchy and well-crafted songs.