Ordinary Elephant

Husband and wife duo Crystal and Pete Damore have been performing together as Ordinary Elephant since 2011, and just 6 years later won the prestigious International Folk Music award for Artist of the Year. The duo’s sophomore release, Before I Go, produced at Santa Fe’s Kitchen Sink Studio, established them internationally, with musical nods to Guy Clark, Anais Mitchell and others. The Associated Press hail their latest album, Honest, as one of the best of the year. But it was Gillian Welch, more than any other artist, that inspired the Ordinary Elephant sound: a well-honed combination of insightful writing, deft harmonies and intertwined clawhammer banjo and guitar. From an early age, Pete has been a guitarist, but when Welch’s “Hard Times” came through his car stereo speakers, the banjo beckoned. Pete’s understated, melodic and mellow banjo weaves through Crystals steady and clean rhythm guitar as poetic lyrics are delivered in rich harmony. Today, they live full-time in a van with their dogs, traveling the country and spreading their musical message.

“Intimate songs, weaving harmonies, and stories that draw you in as if you were gathered around an enchanted campfire.” — Eliza Gilkyson

$25 advance, $30 door. Doors @ 7PM. GA. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as all of the band’s past NM shows have sold out.

Ordinary Elephant will also play Santa Fe’s Tumbleroot Brewery on Feb. 18 (info here).

Presented in collaboration with Santa Fe Performance Exchange.