Ordinary Elephant

Winner of the International Folk Music award for 2017 “Artist of the Year,” husband and wife duo Crystal and Pete Damore have been performing together as Ordinary Elephant since 2011. 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 calls their latest album, Honest, “one of the best Americana albums 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.

“I’m a big fan…intimate songs, weaving harmonies, and stories that draw you in as if you were gathered around an enchanted campfire.” — Eliza Gilkyson

$25 suggested donation (but pay what you can).

Ordinary Elephant will also play Historic Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales on Feb. 17 (info here).