Written by Eddie Ferranti

099The last time we went to Folk Alliance International was in 2016.  On that visit to Kansas City the number one band that caught our collective eyes and ears was a trio out of Traverse City, Michigan called The Accidentals.  We caught them as much as we could including a roof raising major showcase!  Being from up north and us being in Houston the logistics for catching them has been slim to none, but that finally changed over two years later in the killer cool confines of McGonigels Mucky Duck. They have been in Texas since 2015 playing Austin’s SXSW, but this was their first venture to Houston followed by Kerrville Folk Festival.

The band was formed in 2012 by Savannah Buist (mad woman violin/electric guitar) and Katie Larson (dynamic electric cello/guitar) and later added the third vital piece in Michael Dause (backbone percussionist) in 2014.  They are touring in support of EP’s “Parking Lot” and “Odyssey” which has opened a lot of ears for sure.  The trio seemed impressed with the SRO crowd that packed the venue and was vocal all night long in support of the energetic action on stage.
Their on stage banter was both sincere and lively especially about some of the song’s origins.  Like Buist confessing she wrote “Epitaphs” on the toilet in a public restroom.  Plus ” Bullet Proof Glass” written about author Peter Bognanni’s book House of Tommorrow. He loved the song which they feared he would hate!  The ladies are professed “nerds” who are proud of owning-and using- public library cards. On Texas they said it was so nice to be somewhere that did not have just two months of Summer like Michigan.  They stormed the crowd with rockin’ tune called “The Silence” about too many conversations are going on at once these days and we need to chill out and listen to one another.  “The End” told the tale about deciding music career over college and living with your decisions in life.  Nice to see young people with their heads screwed on right doing what they like.
073A big attraction with this threesome is the unselfish sharing and shifting of sounds from bluegrass, folk, alt-rock, and even a classical feel to boot. Other gems were “Memorial Day”, “Jacket” , and “Sunset” performed with astounding precision carving up the audience note by killer note.  They have done well with a catchy single titled “Michigan and Again” which closed out the stage gig with of course fast high energy in your face rock!  For young individuals they project a very refreshing attitude that exudes things like disdain for over cell phone use, being frenzied about boyfriends, and the pressure not to just be normal life loving people who cherish the moment .  Placing the emphasis on not letting time and the important things in life slip by you.  They closed the show IN the audience joined by opening act from Boston named Twisted Pine which was both tender and fitting.  To this reviewer The Accidentals more than just arrived in Texas. To sell out this venue on your first visit is a good omen that they have arrived period……….God bless all of you who support LIVE music!
Eddie “Edge” Ferranti

Senior Editor

Houston Music Review