The Verve: Halley’s Comet digs deep to craft their music

Skyler Galle and Jenelle Knie met online less than a year ago after years of looking for that perfect someone, someone who shares the same passion, someone who’s “been there” and “gets it.”

Galle and Knie make up the alternative musical duo Halley’s Comet, and their goal is to create something rare and beautiful like the celestial phenomenon they are named after.

The two have a lot in common. Both grew up in the area and left the area to find themselves – Knie went to Seattle and Galle went to Oregon and Indianapolis. Her constant was her voice, his was the guitar. Both returned to the area.

They have had some hard times and some good times, and now they share those times in song. They are not a couple – she is married with children and he is single – but when they are together, they make sweet music. “We have the same goals,” Knie said, “We’re both musically driven. Music is my passion. It has helped me through some of the most difficult times of life.” Galle concurs. “I’ve always turned to music as an escape,” he said.

Since joining forces, the two have written a handful of songs, including “We’re All Insane” about mental issues and dependencies and being “proud of where I came from because that is why I’m me,” and love songs like “Night and Day,” “Only at Night” and “Healthy,” that are tinged with a hint of sorrow.

Their first performance was in a local coffee shop in December and they have been going strong ever since, playing locally in public and private venues.

Their demo CD, created on a laptop, climbed to No. 5 on the local charts of Reverb Nation. Their single “Healthy” is played on NWCZ Internet radio, and on April 20 they will be live in the studios at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio during the local radio station’s Queens of Noise segment. On April 16, they will perform at Carr’s Corner, 230 S. Washington St., on May 19 at the Grail Venue in Coeur d’Alene, and on May 21 at the Spotlight Lounge, 321 W. Sprague Ave.

On stage, he wears a fedora and she dresses mostly in black and red. As he strums the electric or acoustic guitar, she keeps the beat with a tambourine and sways a bit when she sings. Their performance is smoky and heartfelt and their songs are full of things like love, wisdom, regret, and even attitude.

“We dig into the deepest parts of ourselves, parts that aren’t always easy to confront, and try to incorporate in our music raw emotion, honesty and humanity – the strengths and the vulnerability,” Galle said.

The two musicians believe that much of today’s music has lost its way, leaning more toward flash and bling than something authentic and meaningful. Their aim is to continue sharing their stories with others through music authentically. “Life is about connecting, and what better way to do it than this?” they ask.