Celtic Duo Sidhe Fuse Their Rhythms With Road Noise

If you listen closely, you can hear a car whoosh by on Sidhe’s latest CD. The acoustic husband-and-wife duo thought about muting the environmental noises that popped up on “Live at The Shop,” their second release in 13 months.

But then they decided to amp up the stray sounds and make them a part of their eclectic musical experience.

“It’s basically a melting pot,” says Michael Millham, the guitar-playing half of Sidhe. “It’s typical American art music. It has influences from all over the world.”

Millham and his wife, singer Kelly Millham, have been married seven years and have been making music together as Sidhe for three. The two met 11 years ago, after Michael heard Kelly sing at her high school. He was so impressed, he asked a mutual friend to introduce them.

They win the award for toughest-to-pronounce band name in Spokane (unless you’re fluent in Gaelic). Sidhe is pronounced “she” and means hill, fitting since the couple comes from the rolling ones of the Palouse.

Sidhe recorded the new album in November during a concert at The Shop, a unique coffeehouse-recording studio on the South Hill. Spokane bands Staley and Thomsen and the Celtic Nots have also recorded CDs there since it opened nine months ago. And The Shop has put together a compilation called “Tuesday’s Blend” of other live shows recorded there.

See if you can pick out the sound of that zooming car Thursday at a Sidhe CD release party at The Shop, 924 S. Perry. The party begins at 7 p.m.

The Dubs

If Sidhe’s party doesn’t meet your quota of Celtic-infused tunes for the week, you’ll want to head to The Young Dubliners’ show Saturday.

The Dubs began a dozen years ago as a duo, playing Irish ballads in SoCal pubs. The now six-member group became The Young Dubliners in the early ‘90s and have released three CDs of rockin’ Celtic tunes.

They play at 9 p.m. Saturday at The Rocket Nightclub, 109 W. Pacific. Tickets are $10, available through G&B.

It’s `Automatic’

Wanna know what apophatic and kataphatic mean? Well, you’re not going to find out here.

But maybe Collapsis can help you. The SAT-level words are part of the chorus of the North Carolina band’s single “Automatic,” which has been getting some radio play in Spokane.

For some pure guitar pop, check out Collapsis tonight at the Fort Spokane Brewery, 401 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Mulligan and Casual Homicide start things out around 9:30 p.m. Cover is $5.

Around the clubs

It’s a big music weekend at Ichabod’s North, 1827 N. Division.

The Hellcaminos kick things off tonight, with opening bands Kill Switch and Trampoline Girl. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. and it’ll cost you $5 to get in. On Saturday, Ball of Destruction, 13 and Smash Velvet play a 9:30 p.m. show. Cover is $5.

The hard-rockin’ weekend wraps up Sunday with the Valentine Killers, J.P. Five, Flip Tops and Eastside Destroyer. The show starts at 9 p.m. and cover is $6.

Soup of the Day plays Mootsy’s, 406 W. Sprague, Saturday at 9:30 p.m. The show costs $3.

The Renovators perform Saturday at Capone’s Pub and Grill, 751 N. Fourth, Coeur d’Alene. The show starts at 9 p.m. and costs $3.

Sebastian Bach, former lead singer for Skid Row, plays Saturday at Spanky Magooz, 4700 Seltice Way, Coeur d’Alene. Craving Theo opens the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 9:30. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Don’t go

If you were planning on going to the Tommy Holfiller show tonight at The Met, don’t. The band’s drummer broke his collarbone in a car accident and the show has been cancelled.

For a refund, send your tickets back to G&B Select-A-Seat, P.O. Box 3453, Spokane, WA 99220.