PUTNEY-Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of acoustic folk music by Louisiana-based Ordinary Elephant and Vermont-based Lizzy Mandell & Colin McCaffrey at Next Stage Friday, September 19, at 7:30 pm.
Folk duo Ordinary Elephant has spent nearly a decade on an endless tour, earning acclaim and winning fans, "including legends like Tom Paxton and Mary Gauthier," claim organizers in a news release.
Married couple Crystal and Pete Damore took home the 2018 International Folk Music Award for Artist of the Year, propelled by their album Before I Go. Two years later, their follow-up Honest garnered even more praise, with the Associated Press calling it "full of elegant contradictions that somehow converge into one of the best Americana albums of the year."
The Damores' latest release, a stripped-down, self-titled collection, is "the purest expression of their sound yet," say organizers. The album showcases the couple's harmonies and intricate guitar work. Rooted in character-driven storytelling, the songs feature banjo, guitar, and octave mandolin.
"Though born from a time of deep uncertainty, the record radiates a sense of profound self-assurance. It's the work of a duo whose personal and professional lives reflect the endless potential of honest, organic collaboration."
Southern Vermont natives McCaffrey and Mandell have been musical cohorts for more than 15 years. A multi-instrumentalist, singer, award-winning songwriter, recording engineer, and record producer, McCaffrey has engineered, produced, or played on more than 200 Vermont albums over the past two decades.
He says he first met Mandell at a Montpelier Center for Arts and Learning songwriter's workshop and was immediately captivated by her voice and songwriting.
In 2012, the pair produced Mandell's first solo album Made for Flying, which won two Times Argus and Rutland Herald Tammie awards for Best Album and Best Songwriter of the year.
Now, 13 years later, McCaffrey and Mandell have released To the Moon, an album of 13 original songs, eight of which they co-wrote.
Next Stage is located at 15 Kimball Hill in downtown Putney. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door, and $10 for access to the livestream of the concert. Advance tickets are available at nextstagearts.org. Next Stage will provide a beer, wine, and cocktail cash bar. For information, call 802-387-0102.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.