Della Mae (Thu/Fri)

Contemporary string band Della Mae has earned a reputation as one of the most inspiring live acts in the roots music scene. With a GRAMMY nomination and extensive touring under their belts, the all-woman quartet releases a career-defining album titled Magic Accident. Long-time advocates for women in roots music, Della Mae collaborated with producer and banjoist Alison Brown on this project, their first for Nashville-based Compass Records. The result is an album that showcases a band at the peak of its abilities.

Magic Accident draws inspiration from a wide range of roots music, including Americana-influenced songs that echo early Chicks, hard-driving bluegrass romps, and dreamy indie folk-inspired tracks. Della Mae’s vocal strength, instrumental, and writing skills shine throughout this mostly original album. It opens with the cosmic title track, written and sung by lead vocalist and guitarist Celia Woodsmith. The song reflects on the passage of time and self-discovery, inspired by a letter Woodsmith wrote at 25 to her future self. “I’m just as holy as the great divide,” Woodsmith writes. “I’m just a small piece of the great mystery. I don’t need to question any of my life.”

Band founder and fiddler Kimber Ludiker draws from the modal Appalachian fiddle tune tradition on “Family Tree,” co-written with the band’s guitarist Avril Smith and singer/songwriter Becky Warren. Musically, the track delivers one of the album’s most decidedly bluegrass moments, with Ludiker’s fiddle propelled by Brown’s banjo. Lyrically, “Family Tree” explores a meditation on generational trauma — how to recognize the cycle, cope with it, and ultimately break free. 

Avril Smith contributes the catchy, anthemic “Out Run ‘Em,” co-written with Caroline Spence and inspired by her young teenage daughter’s newfound passion for long-distance running. The chorus reminds us: “If you go with the crowd, you can’t out run ‘em; can’t blaze a trail from the middle of the pack.” At its core, the message reflects Della Mae’s musical mission — to inspire young women and girls to find their authentic voice and go confidently into the world. 

Co-lead vocalist and award-winning bassist Vickie Vaughn shines on the album’s only cover, the Bruce Robison-penned “Lifeline.” With its message of hope amid “the deep dark grind,” it feels well-timed for our moment, and Vaughn’s emotionally raw vocal delivery serves the song perfectly. Contributing to the track are Mary Bragg with high harmonies, Jen Gunderman (Sheryl Crow) on accordion, and Bryan Brock on drums. 

Since forming in Boston in 2010, Della Mae has demonstrated to the roots music community that a band of all women is more than just a novelty. Their 2013 Rounder Records release, This World Oft Can Be, earned Della Mae their first GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. The same year, the International Bluegrass Music Association named the band Emerging Artist of the Year. In addition to relentless touring at almost every major festival in the US and Canadian roots circuit, Della Mae has performed in more than 30 countries in partnership with the U.S. State Department. Traveling to countries such as Turkmenistan, The Marshall Islands and The United Arab Emirates, they advocate for women’s rights while spreading the love of American roots music.  Della Mae is more than “just a band,” they have a mission; their high-energy performances, original songs, and instrumental prowess inspire audiences with the power of their music and message.