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In the post-CD music business, the house concert seems to making a comeback, particularly with a new subculture of musicians playing music in criss-crossing patterns around the country.

Tom Kemper's East Dallas House Concert Series might at first seem just another example of this growing trend — until you learn he's been putting on these shows for more than 10 years. The series is so well known that the national touring acts that play it are typically booked months in advance.

Hans York is a singer-songwriter from Seattle, by way of Brazil and Germany. His work is energetic and accessible enough for the pop fans in the room, but he maintains an intricate finger-picking style and thoughtful lyrical content for the true folkies.

There are subtle, hard-to-pinpoint influences in his work as well; the second-set surprise of a Brazilian tune, sung in its original language, complete with a "trumpet" solo, hints at just one such source.

The combination of setting and performance created an urban inlay, apart from cynicism, immune to any fashion other than that of community and conviviality. The EDHCS is probably Dallas' best kept musical secret, and is better for it. You'll want to make sure future shows are well listed on your cultural calendar.

Just don't tell anyone else about it.

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