Entertainment

Philadelphia-based duo to share strings, harmonies

Monday, November 17, 2008 3:46 PM CST

For the Herald

The Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls is featuring a split bill with two acoustic duos starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21.

Show openers Jeff White and James Ignacio are The Sidekicks, an eclectic high-energy duo based out of the Chippewa Valley. Both are accomplished solo acoustic guitar singer-songwriters, but every few songs they take turns backing the other up by playing a “skiffle” drum set, saxophone and harmonica, along with a variety of strange and unique percussive instruments. Jeff recently released his second solo recording, “American Reality.”

The second set of world-traveling performers were brought on board by Jeff, who heard their band Maggi, Pierce & E.J. when they played in Eau Claire in 1999. A musical bond was formed and he toured with them from their home city, Philadelphia, back to Eau Claire in 2003. In 2004 he joined them on a tour of the United Kingdom. Maggi and Pierce will play the show as their latest musical venture, Hymn For Her.

Hymn for Her was formed when Maggi and Pierce took a break from touring with their band and traveled up to Maine to write a book. They made a deal with an inn keeper to perform for the dinner crowd in exchange for a quaint little shanty by the sea.

It wasn’t long before cabin fever set in. Thus, a baby was conceived and a band was born. (They’re still working on the book.)

In the year of The Golden Pig, Spring 2007, their baby was born in Florida and the duo started recording an album. They stripped down to the bare necessities: two acoustic instruments and two voices, keeping it as true to their live performance as possible.

Back up the coast to Maine for a summer and fall of recording. Before cabin fever struck again, they high-tailed it home to Philadelphia to finish their debut CD, “Year of the Golden Pig,” mixed and mastered at Studio 4 with grammy winning producer, Phil Nicolo.

General admission is $6, or $5 for CVCA members.

For more information, cal (715) 726-9000.

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