Carter Pann composed The Mechanics in 2013 at the rustic MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire, as a commission for the Capitol Quartet. Pan describes "picturing all four gentlemen of the Capitol Quartet to be dressed as old-time auto mechanics, smudged with grit and grease, performing in the middle of my brother's taxicab stand (which is also a full-service auto shop with two hydraulic lifts)." The six movements are titled: "Hoist," "Drive Train," "Belt," Flywheel," "Balance" and "Trash."