SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Andrew Silke and Erik Chan recorded their first CD, Morning After Syndrome, in 2005 as members of the loud and aggressive emo-screamo punk band Something Hopeless. Their latest CD is a departure.

Silke and Chan, along with Ottawa violinist Kelsey Magill, are An Acoustic Tragedy.

Acoustic Tragedy: Andrew Silke, Kelsey Macgill, Erik Chan. The trio is looking for stages to play on before heading to Fort Smith to perform at the South Slave Friendship Festival later this month. - Photo courtesy of Aryn Franklin

Their new disc, Music for Old People, features eight original songs that gently mix soft and sophisticated acoustic instrumentation with clever and emotional lyrics.

The songs chronicle experiences of reckless intoxication, heartache and ennui without sounding too bleak or self-indulgent.

Some songs are almost uplifting.

"It's just music to us," Silke said. "Stuff we've written over the last two years."

Silke plays guitar, organ and beer bottle slide.

Chan plays guitar, piano and vocals. Magill's violin features prominently on the album, exerting a slow and somber restraint over the intense melodies.

"The songs were written at different times," Chan said.

"We take turns writing the music so there's a lot of different influences."

Silke and Chan are back in Yellowknife to make money over the summer and to enjoy the Northern music scene.

They return to Edmonton in the fall, where Silke studies graphic design.

"I don't go to school," Chan said. "I just work and play music."

In Edmonton, the duo play the cafes, pubs and clubs, such as The Druid and Hulbert's.

"Because we're playing acoustic music now we can play in smaller venues and folkier places," Chan said, adding they are loved by "pretentious coffee house crowds."

"The Irish crowd loves us," Silke said.

In Ottawa, Magill plays clubs like Zaphod's and Barrymore's with her band Fire Heats Water.

Silke and Chan will continue writing and recording over the winter in Edmonton. Before they split south, they are hoping to organize a show at Javaroma with songwriter Shea Alain.