{"id":5045,"date":"2017-09-07T12:37:15","date_gmt":"2017-09-07T11:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.entertainersworldwide.com\/blog\/?p=5045"},"modified":"2017-09-07T12:37:15","modified_gmt":"2017-09-07T11:37:15","slug":"it-takes-two-the-secrets-of-a-successful-duo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entertainersworldwide.com\/blog\/it-takes-two-the-secrets-of-a-successful-duo\/","title":{"rendered":"It Takes Two: The Secrets of a Successful Duo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"High<\/p>\n

The Duo is an enduring and versatile musical format. Go back to the rock and roll 50s and you find the Everly Brothers. In the folk-laden 60s there was Simon and Garfunkel. Womack and Womack got us groovin’ in the 70s and in the 80s we bopped our hearts out to Wham and the synth pop of Erasure and the Pet Shop Boys.<\/p>\n

From hip hop to indie rock duos, we’ve seen it all, and in 2017 the Duo is as popular as ever. Swedish DJ duo Icona Pop, Canadian indie duo Tegan and Sara and Australian pop duo The Veronicas have all topped the charts in recent years. UK country rock duo Ward Thomas released their second album in December and it\u2019s been a smash.<\/p>\n

For musicians, there are certain advantages to working in a Duo. With advances in music technology and the availability of high-quality backing tracks, it\u2019s possible to play intimate, unplugged sets or to have a sound that can fill big venues. Fewer band mates inevitably means fewer egos and less drama and if you\u2019re lucky enough to find your musical soulmate, who needs anyone else?<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s it like travelling and performing with the same person day in day out and what are the secrets of a successful Duo?<\/p>\n

\"Duo<\/p>\n

Into The Drift<\/a> <\/strong>is a High Energy Duo consisting of Laurel Doucet on vocals and keyboards and husband Dave on guitar and backing vocals. Originally from Seattle they now spend most of their time at sea, entertaining crowds on board some of the top cruise lines in the world.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t always the case. The couple met in 1979 on a college music program. After college, they travelled for most of the 80s with a Las Vegas-based show band, coast to coast across the USA, performing 6 nights a week with a full band at hotels, nightclubs, resorts and private parties.<\/p>\n

With the advent of Karaoke and the increased popularity of DJs in the late 80s things changed. Many club owners began to phase out their bands.\u00a0Laurel and Dave moved back to Seattle, took regular day jobs and continued gigging at weekends. This was tough going and after many years they began to feel the strain.<\/p>\n

When they heard about the thriving cruise ship industry and its ever-growing need for on board entertainers, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back to music full-time – with the added bonus of travelling the world together.<\/p>\n

The couple took three years to do their research, put tracks and promotional material together and do some local gigs as a Duo. In 2011 they got their first ship contract.\u00a0Laurel says preparation and getting to know your audience is key:<\/p>\n

\u201cTake time to develop the repertoire and know your audience.\u00a0Choose songs wisely for your particular crowd and have a lot of variety. During performances, talk to your audience. Connect and let them get to know you a bit. Tell them where you’re from, whether you\u2019re married, or musical partners, anything to make that personal connection.\u00a0People are always curious.\u00a0And take time on your breaks to chat with people on a one to one level.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Into<\/p>\n

Laurel and Dave\u2019s long history together is something that shines through on stage along with their individual personalities, as Laurel explains,\u00a0\u201cPeople comment all the time that we just make it look effortless, that we anticipate each other’s musical style. We also have opposite styles, kind of “Lady & the Tramp”, refined and unrefined.\u00a0Dave is the rough-around-the-edges rocker, and I’m more gentle and calm.\u00a0It’s not intentional, it’s just who we are, and it reflects onstage in a very positive light.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Opposites do attract and can make great musical partnerships but do they ever get on each other\u2019s nerves?<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, of course after being married so long there are a number of things!\u201d <\/strong>says Laurel.\u00a0\u201c<\/strong>I would say about Dave, that he gets absolutely lost in his guitar solos sometimes. He would probably say about me that I sometimes choose mellower songs than he would like to play.\u00a0He’s the rocker in the family.\u00a0But sometimes the occasion just doesn’t call for AC\/DC or Led Zeppelin.\u00a0There’s a time and place for everything.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gigging as a couple does mean spending a lot of time together, so your relationship needs to be strong enough to cope with that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ve been living on cruise ships for 6 years now, and yes it’s difficult. The cabins we get are very tiny, usually with bunk beds and no window.\u00a0So we find ways to get out of each other\u2019s way. One of us leaves the cabin to go work on music or get internet in port.\u00a0Or we both go out on a tour or to explore wherever we are. It’s tough but we\u2019re committed to each other and to our music, so it works.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are Into the Drift performing at the Tamarind Club aboard the P&O Ventura. Their varied set list includes songs by The Pretenders, Pink, The Spinners, Eagles and more:
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