Gwyneth and Monko play at the Coz

Come down to the Cozmic Café, 549 Main St. in Placerville, Saturday, Dec. 11, and warm up to the original music of two emerging folk duos: Gwyneth and Monko of Georgetown with Misner and Smith of Davis.

Just back from a four month U.S. tour, Gwyneth and Monko with their haunting Americana sounds will debut a few new songs off their soon-to-be released self-titled album.

Misner and Smith will start the show at 8 p.m. with the traditional folk sounds and sweet harmonies. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Gwyneth and Monko are on the move in more ways than one. They’ve spent the majority of 2010 on the road, touring to support “Good Old Horse,” their first EP together.

In the thick of that flurry of activity, the duo carved out a month to write and record demos for their new album at their home studio in Georgetown. Amidst tours to the Southwest and Northwestern U.S., they were then able to fit in time to record at Old School Studio in Caspar.

The new self-titled album, due out in early 2011, will reflect the style the pair has cultivated on the road — somewhere between folky acoustic and indie rock.

Fans of the previous EP will still find the sound heavily influenced by old-timey Americana. They’ll also be treated to the lyrical stories, Gwyneth’s vocal style and Monko’s intricate instrumentation they’ve grown to love. With a voice that invokes Jenny Lewis’ solo work crossed with the intimate folk of Gillian Welch, Gwyneth Moreland strums her guitar in subtle chords while Michael Monko accompanies her lyrical stories with trickling mandolin, steady acoustic guitar as well as driving and moody electric guitar.

Gwyneth and Monko sound as if they come from classic country roots, perhaps off a farm in Tennessee, but it’s northern California they call home. The duo is excited to debut a few new songs off the new album to the audience at Cozmic Café this Saturday.

Just when you thought you’d heard all that the Americana/folk revival could show you, Misner and Smith bring a freshness and lyrical vitality audiences won’t find anywhere else.

When audiences hear these two they will think they were born to sing together, with an exceptional vocal blend that cuts right to the soul.

At moments raw and powerful, and at other times hauntingly subtle, extraordinary two-part harmonies anchor the unique and compelling original music.

Megan Smith plays the upright bass and mandolin while Sam Misner plays guitar, and with stellar award-winning songwriting to boot, Misner and Smith retain a connection to roots music that has been described as “the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary.”

Though it is not always easy to put their music into one category it is evident that the tradition of duets is truly alive and well in these two performers. Listeners will be amazed at the fullness of sound and depth of songs from Misner and Smith.

The show is open to all ages and is $10 at the door.

For more information visit the bands Websites: GwynethAndMonko.com and MisnerAndSmith.com.

For more information about the show call 530-642-8481.