Solo Together

‘We’re a song-oriented harmony duo, with a little spin on the ball,” says Sven-Erik Seaholm, who, with wife Brooke Mackintosh, is one half of Seaholm Mackintosh. “I guess you could call it indie acoustic, with psychedelic tendencies.” Think Tuck and Patti, by way of Timbuk 3.

In demand as both producer and performer with over 300 recording credits, Seaholm has worked with Steve Poltz, Jewel, A.J. Croce, and many others, as well as with Allied Gardens, a trio with Michael Tiernan and Peter Bolland due to record their sophomore full-length later this year. (“I can only hint that it will be somewhat louder.”)

Session vocalist Brooke Mackintosh moved from Salt Lake City to San Diego in 2005, meeting Seaholm at a 2009 gig and recording her Blue Skies Await full-length with him. After debuting as Seaholm Mackintosh at Swedenborg Hall in March 2010, they decided to put their act on tape, releasing their debut full-length, Monarchs, earlier this month. Containing autobiographical songs written together and separately, the album also includes a cover of Ian Moore’s “What I’ve Done.”

Last September, the duo welcomed Miles Harper Seaholm to their family. However, despite increasing demands on their time, Seaholm says they don’t plan on slowing down their respective careers. “We’re both working on solo records, but we prefer performing together.”

His wife agrees. “I see Seaholm Mackintosh continuing to perform for growing crowds, touring a few foreign countries, and making loads of money. Otherwise, you’ll see us supporting one another during our solo turns.”

“As long as there’s someone to watch the baby.”

WHAT’S IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?

Seaholm: “Carole King, The Carnegie Hall Concert. I got this at Best Buy for 4.99. Captured in performance the week that Tapestry was at the top of the charts in 1971. She sings better than the original record for most of it.”

Mackintosh: “I listen to iTunes on my smartphone, and Miles and I tend to listen to Baby’s Playlist, which has a variety of simply beautiful, melodic, and peaceful tunes in nearly every genre.”

MOST EMBARRASSING CD?

Seaholm: “My late pal Buddy Blue used to give me shit about my Hall and Oates LPs. So I bought myself their CD box set on his birthday this year.”

Mackintosh: “Probably the Jeremy Jordan CD I bought for a buck when I was in high school.”

FAVORITE CONCERT?

Seaholm: “Sting, his first solo American concert at SDSU’s Open Air Theatre in 1985. He had everything to prove, and it was like watching the best fireworks show you’ve ever seen for two and a half hours straight.”

Mackintosh: “Tool at Cox Arena when they came into town a few years back. Not only was the band spot-on and the music memorable, but the light show and energy was amazing.”

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THE YOUNGER YOU?

Seaholm: “Stop worrying about your hair.”

Mackintosh: “True love will never ask you to give up on your dreams.”

ANY FEARS OR PHOBIAS?

Mackintosh: “I have a fear of admitting my fears. No, seriously.”

WORST INJURY?

Seaholm: “I dove into a sandbar while docking a catamaran in Mission Bay and dislocated my left shoulder.”

Mackintosh: “I was rollerblading backwards, didn’t see a sewer cover, and I flew about ten feet.”

EVER BEEN A CRIME VICTIM?

Seaholm: “I got chased by a gang late one night after a Hollywood gig, while wearing cowboy boots and carrying a guitar. I was ultimately saved by their drunkenness.”

Mackintosh: “Crimes of passion. Do I have to elaborate?”

WHERE DO YOU TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS?

Seaholm: “To Brothers Restaurant on Waring Road. Breakfast is very spiritual to me, and this place is my church.”

BRUSH WITH FAME?

Mackintosh: “I met a few celebrities while I was working as a ticket agent for America West Airlines. The most memorable was when I checked in Michael Stipe of R.E.M. Although I recognized him in line immediately, I blanked on his name and had to ask him for his autograph just to check him in for his flight.”

BIGGEST REGRET?

Seaholm: “Producer T-Bone Burnett personally invited me to his studio to assist or hang out during sessions and gave me his personal cell phone number. I was so excited, I closed my phone without hitting the save key.”

Mackintosh: “That I never made it to my audition for a scholarship at the Berklee School of Music in L.A.”

SOMETHING WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Seaholm: “I stop everything to watch Jeopardy.”

Mackintosh: “My eyes were blue until my early teens.” ■