Singer, songwriter, band leader, flutist, producer, community-builder, mother: Brielle Kimmins has a lot to her credit. Not least of which is AprilFoolChild, the Philadelphia artist’s long-running project we’ve followed since 2014 — from the stirring Rough Break-Up EP to dazzling releases like “Mangos,” a journey across the country to the west coast, and now a return to her home with a focused mindset and fresh perspective.

And amazing musicians to help bring her experience to the stage: joining her in WXPN studios for this Key Studio Session are vibrophonist Veronica Hudson, aka Hudson River, saxophonist Meech Coachman, trumpet player Sammi Di Giacinto, bassist Garrett Thomas, drummer Semi, guitarists Julian and Dev from the 6 String Theory Podcast, and vocalists Jenn Lynn and Wesley Williams.

The focus of the performance is Lost In Translation, AprilFoolChild’s new EP which she spoke about during the studio session with WXPN’s Abdur Rahman. She explains that it was a labor of love, unpacking experiences with loss and grief — her father, local civil activist C.B. Kimmins, passed away in 2020 — as well as the process of raising her song as a single mother, and continuing to identify with her womanhood. “I was going through things with family, sickness, being a mother, a student, putting all those things together, and recognizing that when you’re going through things in life, your intentions, your feelings for other people, often get lost in translation.”

AprilFoolChild the ten-piece band brings all those moments into a massive performance in WXPN studios, starting off with the old favorite “Mangos” and continuing with three highlights from Lost In Translation: the bright bop “Link Up,” the cathartic “Expectations,” and the emotive release of “Where Do We Go?” In between Brielle and Rahman chat about relationships, creative growth, going back to school — she’s currently pursuing a degree in music law to help take her experiences in the industry and use them to uplift her peers — and honoring her father with a mural and street dedication in Mantua, where he did most of his work. “It’s the best thing I’ve done in the last couple years,” she says.

Watch AprilFoolChild’s Key Studio Session below, and see her live next Thursday, May 23rd at Silk City for Queen Jo’s Big Bad Cabaret featuring Bempa, Koser, Taylor Kelly, as well as DJs Brotha Taaj and Rebel Foster; the event flyer says “20s Attire Strongly Encouraged,” and you can find more info here.

Dann Pell: Full Set (Recorded Live For The Key Studio Sessions)