Thursday, December 13, 2012
Anne and Pete Sibley sold their home of 12 years in Jackson Hole, Wyo., early last spring. What happened next reads like a Jim Jarmusch screenplay: The married folk duo packed up the family car, grabbed their two kids and went on a three-month tour spanning 30 states.
“We knew eventually we’d pull into the right place and get that feeling like we had in Jackson Hole,” Pete says.
One of their first stops was a house concert at the Roost House in Carmel Valley, which they played in 2010. Something clicked for Anne and Pete.
“We fell in love with the Monterey Peninsula and decided to come back after we finished touring,” Pete says.
A month and a half ago, the Sibleys returned to the area and made it home. In addition to their attraction to the Peninsula’s natural beauty, they had made connections in the area leading to gigs like Friday night’s songwriter’s workshop at Carmel High School.
The third installment of the Carmel High Songwriters Guild’s Songwriting Workshop – CHS alums Ryan Scott and Rushad Eggleston were past participants – will be the Sibleys unofficial introduction to the community. The event will feature performances of original tunes by students, a set from the Sibleys and an hour-long songwriting seminar led by the folk duo. With five albums made up of equal parts original material and covers under their belt, the Sibleys know a thing or two about songwriting and are eager to pass their wisdom along to the students.
“We’re going to talk about trusting yourself and letting the creative process happen, then bring in the editor for feedback,” Pete says. “With any creative process, that’s the most difficult part. I already admire these kids for wanting to learn the songwriting process at such a young age.”
Pete and Anne’s recent full-length album Coming Home embraces the influences of old-time Appalachian music, bluegrass and folk. “Will You Walk With Me” says love beyond its lyrics: Hypnotic harmonies reveal the pair’s familiarity with one another and an authentic connection that continues after the song has ended. Their cover of Mick Hanley’s “Past the Point of Rescue” is strikingly simple. Anne’s Patty Loveless-quality vocals alongside Pete’s blithe acoustic guitar strumming drift effortlessly like a leaf carried by an autumn wind.
While Anne and Pete were in Monterey last spring, they finished their first EP, Wandering to Be Found.
“We let the songs be what they wanted to be rather than be coaxed into being a feel of an overall album,” Pete says. “We recorded six songs and thought it wouldn’t be fair to force a couple more tunes to turn it into a full record.”
In a way, the album is a reflection of saying goodbye to the Yellowstone wilderness and hello to the saltwater air and expansive coastline that they’ll hopefully call home for a long time.
ANNE and PETE SIBLEY workshop at 5:30pm followed by performance, Friday, Dec. 14, Carmel High School cafeteria, 3600 Ocean Ave., Carmel. Suggested donation $10; $5 CHS students with ABS card. 624-1821.
Indian Summer
Monterey
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