SOCORRO, N.M.  – The Accidentals, a group known for genre-crossing musical chops and top-notch instrumentals, will play in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Macey Center in a Performing Arts Series event.

The Accidentals, a female-fronted, multi-instrumentalist trio, performs music that is dynamic and intelligent, a blend of Neko Case lyrics and Jack White rock with influences of Queen. String instrumentalists Savannah Buist and Katie Larson are joined by percussionist Michael Dause for a performance that blends indie folk, pop and rock music.

cc“I love this trio,” said musician and PAS Director Ronna Kalish. “Savannah and Katie are both amazing multi-instrumentalists and songwriters, and Michael backs them beautifully on drums, creating a synergy that is palpable on stage. It’s great entertainment. I have seen them perform at music festivals in Colorado, Oregon, and British Columbia in Canada, and was mesmerized by them every time. It has taken us three years to coordinate their schedule to come to Socorro.  I am very excited.”

Named among Yahoo Music’s “Top 10 Bands to Watch in 2017,” The Accidentals’ adventure began in their hometown of Traverse City, Mich., when Larson, a sophomore cellist, and Buist, a junior violinist, were paired for a high school orchestra event.

They became fast friends and before long, bandmates. Having both grown up in musical families with professional pianists for fathers and vocalists for mothers, their shared influences bounced among classical, jazz, bluegrass, country, alt-rock and the randomly obscure. 

Accidentals is an apt name for the group, as the word in music language refers to the notes that fall outside of a key signature. (In musical notation, the sharp (♯), flat (♭), and natural (♮) symbols, among others, mark such notes, and are also called accidentals.)

The Accidentals recorded and released a pair of independent albums in 2012 and 2013, the latter funded by a hugely successful Kickstarter. Their original songs reflected wide-ranging influences, but were always true to the group’s orchestral roots.

These releases earned the trio critical recognition and national attention, culminating with acclaimed collaborations with fellow local artists and independent filmmakers.

Over the past five years, the Accidentals performed more than 1,000 live shows, including headline dates at major festivals. They’ve shared stages with diverse acts, including Keller Williams, Martin Sexton, Brandi Carlisle, Andrew Bird, The Wailers, Joan Baez and others.

The ensemble embarked on their first, full-scale national tour four years ago, with Billboard Magazine applauding their SXSW debut for “displaying a genre-hopping range of influences and some smart songwriting skills to go with their abundant musical chops.”

Meet the Musicians

By the age of 16, Bruist, a Nashville, Tenn., native, had become a versatile session player, composer, arranger and performer. She added Takamine guitars, Fender basses, viola, mandolin, banjo and musical saw to her arsenal, and went from writing novels to penning songs described as vulnerable, compelling, saturated with vivid imagery and colored with five-string violin arrangements.  

Larson, who grew up in Northern Michigan, started playing cello in her public elementary school’s music program. Now she is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and composer involved in film, design, art and culinary adventures. Since graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy in 2014, she has been a full-time studio session player, songwriter, and touring musician.

Hailing from the suburb of Northville in Detroit, Dause banged on pots and pans at the early age of one … and he never really stopped. At age seven, Dause began his first lessons, he taught himself to play guitar in middle school, and by ninth grade, he was writing songs. The percussionist joined the Accidentals in 2014 after they met at a Michigan music festival. 

According to Buist, the musicians rely on each other to create a balance, which she believes is the key to the group. Their styles of songwriting and arrangement are very different, so when they come together, the trio creates a variation that couldn’t happen any other way.

“Again, we are grateful for the support of our sponsors, volunteers and everyone who attends PAS shows,” Kalish said. “This support enables PAS to bring first-class performances to N.M. Tech and Socorro.”

Sponsors for The Accidentals are the Student Government Association, the Graduate Student Association, KUNM, and SURVICE engineering company.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $8 for youth 17 and under. N.M. Tech students will be admitted free with their student ID at the door, or can pick up one ticket each at the Tech Bookstore.

Tickets can be purchased online at nmtpas.org, or at the following locations: N.M. Tech Cashier (Fidel Center), Sofia’s Kitchen, John Brooks Customer Service Counter or the PAS office (call 835-5688 for directions).

— NMT —