Cellist/vocalist/bassist/guitarist Katie Larson with her band The Accidentals are embarking on a Fall tour supporting their fourth record release Vessel.  Katie plays the NS NXT5a Electric Cello, adding both bowed melodies and plucked bass lines to her lead vocal along with vocalist/guitarist/violinist Savannah Buist and percussionist Michael Dause.

“If I had a young musician, I would get them to an Accidentals show. They set the bar for inspiration and their concerts are vaxxed and masked. Three women all playing multiple instruments insanely well, energy off the hook, and a killer drummer holding it down, this is the show to see.” – NPR

Be sure to catch these amazing women who’s compositions and performances tie together the spirit of their journey during the past two years.  Tour Dates.

Katie Larson playing her NXT5a Electric Cello with The Accidentals.

Captured in April 2021, at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival their poignant and touching tune Might As Well Be Gold brings together beautiful folk harmonies with rolling changes and rhythms.

“We wrote Might As Well Be Gold as a reminder of what we have in the midst of what we have lost… there is so much to be thankful for even in the darkest hour, finding gratitude every day keeps the depression at bay and gives us a sense of hope and purpose. It’s part of our mental health improvement program over Covid. It’s one of those things that we will carry forward as we exit this space and continually adjust to new situations.” – The Accidentals

Check out the reviews from The Accidentals latest release Vessel in Localspins and Northern Express publications.

More on Katie . . .

Eyvind Axelson and Norwegian Death Metal outfit Diskord release their newest album Degenerations.

Bassist and vocalist Eyvind Axelson handles the low end with his NS CR5F Omni Bass, combining complex picked passages along with ominous bowing techniques.  Check out Diskord’s newest single The Endless Spiral from the album Degenerations on Transcending Obscurity Records.

This play-through video features Eyvind performing progressive technical passages with amazing bowing and percussive techniques on his NS CR5 Fretted Omni Bass.

“The Endless Spiral is a song about the unfathomable abyss of time that we all travel through. It deals with the seemingly endless, meaningless, cycles of matter, contrasted with our own meager existences. – Metal Injection

more on Eyvind . . 

NS hosted a CONNECTLIVE- Cello Edition event on Thursday, May 6th. A livestream available from our website, Facebook and YouTube channels featuring NS Artists Greg Byers and Calum Ingram in concert and conversation.

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In the most recent For Bass Players Only interview, NS Artist Michael Micucci talks about his childhood challenges of being homeless, how buying a bass guitar from a friend on a whim changed his life, apprenticeship with Berkelee’s Bruce Gertz while in Boston, the discipline his band The Company Stores brings to his bass playing abilities, and the promising future work he has ahead with NS Artist Bakithi Kumalo. Read More »

NS Design Artist Anna Blanton has spent years playing a wide range of musical styles from bluegrass and classic country to Celtic, folk and orchestral pieces. Read More »

NS Design welcomes New Zealander violinist extraordinaire Pascal Roggen.

Currently performing and touring with bass virtuoso Shez Raja Collective, including inspiring musicians, percussionist Trilok Gurtu and guitarist Wayne Krantz, Pascal fits in perfectly with his super-charged and electric improvisations.

Pascal started his formal musical education in Auckland, NZ and soon became a staple by his teens in local Irish Rock bands.  His journey has taken him to Jazz festivals the world over and numerous solo and TV performances.  His folk infused vocal trio Albi and the Wolves partners Pascal with guitarist Chris Dent and upright bassist Michael Young.  Their crafty and soulful songs are tinged with Bluegrass and R & B harmonies adding a twist to their New Zealand blend of modern folk music.  Pascal also performs with New Zealand flautist Miho Wada and Miho’s Jazz Orchestra.

Be sure to check out Pascal shredding on his CR5 Electric Violin with Shez Raja Collective at London’s Ilsington Hall.

More on Pascal . . .

Katie Larson and her Indie Folk-Rock band The Accidentals are celebrating their signing as Sony Materworks Artists and the release of a new album, Odyssey.

Katie plays CR and NXTa Series cellos

Read more about Katie…

Photo Courtesy of NS Artist Avery Merritt

Welcome to the fourth edition of THE LYONN’S ROAR, “Electric Technique:  The Same . . .or?” by NS Violinist and Educator Julie Lyonn Lieberman. Read More »

Congratulations to NS Artist Jacob Collier on his 2017 Grammy Awards.

Jacob was awarded 2017 Grammy Awards in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category for “You And I” — Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier) and Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for “Flintstones”  — Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier). Read More »

As a two-year-old growing up in the UK and listening to her older sister practicing, Claire Courchene was determined and inspired to pick up the cello. That determination continued unabated, and eventually attending The University of Miami as a double major on both cello and trombone, she crafted her performance and technique, ultimately leading her to Hollywood.  Her dedication and hard work has paid off. Claire has performed on some of the biggest stages and highest profile programs, including American Idol, Rhye and Josh Groban. Read More »