Benyaro is ready when the muse comes calling

Opportunity may knock, but inspiration pretty much shows up whenever it wants to.

Because of that capricious nature, one must stand ready to receive the gifts of the Muse whenever they’re offered. At least that has been the experience of singer/songwriter Ben Musser, one-half of the power duo known as Benyaro.

“I’ve found that you have to be open to inspiration when it comes,” Musser said during a recent telephone interview. “I’ll be trying to go to sleep and some lines will start coming.

“It’s almost annoying, because I’ll have to get out of bed and go write it down. A lot of times I’ll be doing something that involves moving, like taking a walk, skiing or driving a car when a line for a song will pop into my head.

“There’s a song on our ‘Good Day Better’ album titled, ‘Time With Yourself.’ That particular line came to me while I was driving to a gig in Arizona. I carry a microcassette recorder with me, so when that happens, I can record it before it gets lost.”

Benyaro will be performing that song and many others Thursday evening at the Southern Cafe and Music Hall just off the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville. Headlining the bill will be Dangermuffin.

Both bands perform original, angst-free, nonpolitical songs that are simply intended to elevate one’s mood, get the toes tapping and maybe even make a person think a bit. Because Benyaro draws on many musical influences, it’s hard to say exactly what genre the duo fits into.

Benyaro’s music has been called indie acoustic soul, but it’s more convoluted than that. Add folk, country, rock, blues and gospel to the mix, and you can see why it’s often simply labeled American roots music.

“What we play is passionate, emotional acoustic music,” said Musser, whose mother lives in Charlottesville. “We try to give the audience an experience they have never heard or seen before.

“Something we frequently hear is that we sound bigger than a duo. We do try to get the most from our limbs and voices to put it all out there.

“We want to make people think, but my songwriting is not very political. I think there’s too much of that type stuff already out there. Our music will hopefully serve as an outlet for people to be introspective and think about themselves, their lives and the people they love.”

The big sound Benyaro produces doesn’t just come from Bobby McCullough’s standup bass and Musser’s guitar. Add the maraca fastened to Musser’s left foot and the sound of the hi-hat that McCullough taps with a foot.

“Drums were my first instrument before I made my way to the guitar and singing,” said Musser, who splits his time between living in New York City and Wilson, Wyo. “Before I met Bobby, I was working solo, and I thought I’d add a percussion element by fastening a shaker to my shoe.

“I also hit the heck out of my guitar. It has a big crack where I hit it, but I keep getting it repaired.

“When Bobby started playing with me I added a bass drum for my right foot, and he took the hi-hat. I don’t know of any band that’s doing exactly what we’re doing as far as playing as many instruments as we do.”

Enjoying the Benyaro experience is well worth the $8 cover charge. Add Dangermuffin, and it becomes an over-the-top bargain.

“We first heard Dangermuffin when we were on a bill together in Missoula, Montana,” Musser said. “We play with a lot of bands, and 19 out of 20 of them we don’t care to play with again.

“But these guys in Dangermuffin are heart and soul unique. I think everyone who comes to the show is really going to love them.”

Musser is very familiar with Charlottesville, and McCullough hails from Virginia Beach. But that’s not the only reason they’re looking forward to playing here.

“One of the reasons I’m very excited about the Charlottesville show is because I like the Southern, and what they’re doing,” Musser said. “They’re helping to fill a void by providing a venue for nationally touring acts such as ourselves and Dangermuffin that are in the medium range as far as being known goes.

“Because I do all the booking and promotion work, I know how important venues like the Southern are to groups like ours.”

Dangermuffin and Benyaro will be performing Thursday evening at the Southern Cafe and Music Hall. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Cover is $8. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at www.thesoutherncville.com.