The Accidentals, not waiting to happen

Accidentals in a musical score are notes outside the home key, and their unexpected presence adds spice and interest to the music. “Outside” and “unexpected” are terms that also apply to the rising young band The Accidentals. The trio will perform at the White Horse Black Mountain on Wednesday, April 6.

The core of the band came together in 2011 when Savannah Buist and Katie Larson, both members of their Michigan high school orchestra, volunteered to work together on a project. At their first rehearsal they ended up playing the White Stripes instead and The Accidentals were born.

Both women grew up in deeply musical families, listening to and enjoying a broad spectrum of styles. As a result, classical, jazz, bluegrass, country and alt-rock influences are all discernible in their instinctive music.

In 2012 the two were accepted into the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts High School’s new singer-songwriter major. While sharpening their instrumental, writing and business skills they found time to release two albums, place music in films, documentaries and commercials and perform hundreds of shows while maintaining a 3.9 GPA.

While the combination of electric cello and violin is something of a trademark, Buist and Larson play more than a dozen instruments, allowing them to vary their sound at will while remaining identifiably The Accidentals. Their songs feature witty lyrics, sparkling harmonies and catchy melodies that they deliver onstage with immense high-energy charisma.

Since 2014 the duo has been touring intensively with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Michael Dause and his quirky, stripped-down drum kit. The trio’s musicality, originality and stage presence led SXSW 2015 and Milwaukee’s Summerfest to tag The Accidentals one of their hottest young breakout bands.

Intentionally theirs

Who: The Accidentals

When: 7:30 p.m. April 6

Where: White Horse Black Mountain

Cost: $10 advance, $12 door