Sidhe’s soothing sounds come to Catarina Winery

Michael and Keleren Millham have been known locally for years as the husband/wife duo Sidhe.

But on their new album, “Cathedral,” due in the fall, they’re using their given names.

That’s because they’re known that way out of town.

About the only weekends Sidhe doesn’t appear at local coffee houses and wineries is when the Millhams are touring the West Coast. They spent most of June hitting California, and in July they worked around Seattle and Montana before returning home.

And along the way, they’ve been building a stronger regional following.

The thing is, when they play shows in California, they always are promoted as classical musicians Michael and Keleren, not Sidhe, a Gaelic term for hill that reflects Michael Millham’s Palouse upbringing. It also has a second translation: spirit.

“When we play outside of town, we use our names because mentors we play with list us that way. Who are we to argue?” said Michael Millham, the guitar half of Sidhe.

Regardless of what name they go by, Sidhe is bound to draw a crowd when it plays its rich blend of classically inclined new-age-folk-world-pop on Saturday at 7.p.m. at the Catarina Winery, 905 N. Washington.

The Millhams were married before they started playing music together seriously. It was a matter of waiting for vocalist Keleren Millham’s contractual obligations with an a cappella trio to run its course.

Over the past eight years, Sidhe has recorded two albums, “Sidhe” and 2000’s “Live At The Shop,” recorded at The Shop.

“It’s an experiential type of music. A lot of people say they find it healing, relaxing, soothing; that it takes them to different places,” Keleren Millham stated in a Sidhe press release.

Sidhe’s music draws from a vast array of influences.

“We’re interested in anyone that has a knack for composing, whether it be a Pakistani singer, fingerpickers, Annie Lennox or symphonic music,” Michael Millham said.

A guitar teacher at Gonzaga University, Michael Millham does beta-testing for technology companies and has helped design pickups used by Tom Petty and Leo Kottke. Keleren Millham runs a private vocal studio.