Emily Jane White

On her website, discussing her latest release Victorian America, Emily Jane White claims, "I don't write happy music." She is not exaggerating. At the Sunset Tavern, though, she seemed delighted to play her songs for a modest and undoubtedly devoted crowd. White's music is beautifully crafted, and she is an outstanding performer, but I couldn't help feeling that I'd overdosed on melancholy about 30 minutes into her set. Her show was truly enjoyable, but unless you're in need of commiseration and a heavy-hearted drink, you may want to pick up her album instead, listen to it at home and temper it with a side of up-tempo pop.