MUSIC FROM DEEP WITHIN; Halley's Comet put the personal into their original song stylings

Skyler Galle and Jenelle Knie met online less than a year agoafter years of looking for that perfect someone, someone who sharesthe same passion, someone who's "been there" and "gets it."

Galle and Knie make up the alternative musical duo Halley'sComet, and their goal is to create something rare and beautiful likethe celestial phenomenon they are named after.

The two have a lot in common. Both grew up in the area and leftthe area to find themselves - Knie went to Seattle and Galle went toOregon and Indianapolis. Her constant was her voice, his was theguitar. Both returned to the area.

They have had some hard times and some good times, and now theyshare those times in song. They are not a couple - she is marriedwith children and he is single - but when they are together, theymake sweet music. "We have the same goals," Knie said, "We're bothmusically driven. Music is my passion. It has helped me through someof the most difficult times of life." Galle concurs. "I've alwaysturned 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 dependenciesand 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 Decemberand they have been going strong ever since, playing locally inpublic and private venues.

Their demo CD, created on a laptop, climbed to No. 5 on the localcharts of Reverb Nation. Their single "Healthy" is played on NWCZInternet radio, and on April 20 they will be live in the studios atKYRS Thin Air Community Radio during the local radio station'sQueens of Noise segment. On April 16, they will perform at Carr'sCorner, 230 S. Washington St., on May 19 at the Grail Venue in Coeurd'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 andred. As he strums the electric or acoustic guitar, she keeps thebeat with a tambourine and sways a bit when she sings. Theirperformance is smoky and heartfelt and their songs are full ofthings like love, wisdom, regret, and even attitude.

"We dig into the deepest parts of ourselves, parts that aren'talways easy to confront, and try to incorporate in our music rawemotion, honesty and humanity - the strengths and thevulnerability," Galle said.

The two musicians believe that much of today's music has lost itsway, leaning more toward flash and bling than something authenticand meaningful. Their aim is to continue sharing their stories withothers through music authentically. "Life is about connecting, andwhat better way to do it than this?" they ask.

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ON THE WEB

Visit facebook.com/halleyscomettheband or reverbnation.com/halleyscomet.

Art quote of the week

"We don't want audiences to feel a specific thing, we justwant?audiences to feel."

Paul Simon, singer/songwriter

The Verve is a weekly feature celebrating the arts. If you knowan artist, dancer, actor, musician, photographer, band or singer,contact correspondent Jennifer LaRue by e-mail jlarue99@hotmail.com.