Pat Grossi began his career as a vocalist at age 9, when he joined the Philadelphia Boys Choir as a Soprano I, the highest of the high singers. Grossi, who is now in his twenties and records under the name Active Child, still incorporates that early experience into his songwriting. Active Childs first LP, the shimmering You Are All I See, matches up beatific choral melodies, sung in Grossis operatic-style voice, with lush synth tones and electronic drumbeats. The resulting songs are sometimes solemn, almost hymnal-like (the title track), sometimes snappier with an oddly R&B feel (Playing Houses, the sensual single featuring How To Dress Wells Tom Krell), and always, according to Grossi, romantic. It was written in a way to be like, Youre the only one I want. Im not interested in anyone else. Youre the only one I see, he said of the album on a recent phone call. I definitely hope its romantic in every sense of the word. With Chad Valley. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Fri., Sept. 23, 8 p.m., 2011
