The local music scene has a wonderful group of homegrown musicians, but just as important is the continual influx of new players from locations common and exotic. The cross-pollination of ideas and sounds has led to San Diego having one of the most vibrant music communities in North America, with new acts to discover — practically on a daily basis. One of the most promising of the new combos is Sister Speak, which performs at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge on May 20. The band is adaptable, capable of performing as a duo, comprised of Samantha Cathcart and Sherri-Anne, both of whom sing, play guitar and provide percussion. For this show, they will perform with their full lineup, including drummer Lisa Viegas and bassist Dan Dipietro. While Sherri-Anne is originally from Canada and Cathcart is from Temecula, the duo first came together in 2009, having met at a Chicago open mic. They quickly joined forces as two solo artists touring together through the West Coast. “By the time we got to Canada, we just thought it was working really well, so we started booking shows together and playing on each other songs during our sets,” said Sherri-Anne. Buoyed by a warm reception they received on their joint tour, the pair decided to relocate. “We got to San Diego to see how music could go out here,” she said “When we moved here things just started falling into place, it was amazing. In September, we decided to go with the name Sister Speak.” The group shares a wide range of influences, including modern rock, reggae fusion, folk and world music, creating a unique hybrid. “(Cathcart) is more of a folk-blues artist and I’ve got more of rock/world vibe,” Sherri-Anne said. “But when we came together, something special happened that works really well, especially in San Diego. There’s something about this area that, for whatever reason, our combination seems to go over well.” Sister Speak has released two live albums to date, with plans for their first studio work to be released later this year, with more touring also in the cards. While she said she’s happy to play with any combination of musicians, Sherri-Anne prefers intimate venues and shows featuring the core pair. “With the duo, there’s more for us to just be ourselves, there’s less to focus on,” Sherri-Anne said. “But when we’re playing with the band, there is more energy. It’s more complicated. The simplicity of the duo is something I love. If you really want to hear the interplay of guitars, really listen to the lyrics, it’s always best in a small room as a duo.” Sherri-Anne said the best part is interacting with the other musicians and the effect on audiences. “If there’s one thing I absolutely love, it’s the blend of vocal harmonies in this project,” she said. “Because Sam and I have different influences and vocal styles, I think that adds a unique quality to our sound.” Still relative newcomers to San Diego, the women said they are more than happy with the move they’ve made. “I think the amount of people we’ve been able to reach in a powerful way is really special,” said Sherri-Anne. While Sister Speak does have a wealth of original material, it also includes plenty of danceable covers during their Humphrey’s shows, including tunes from Ben Harper, Damian Rice, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. “We play up to four hours sometimes, so we know a lot of songs,” Sherri-Anne said. “We’re really used to it. It’s fun. There’s some days I’m watching the clock, but most of the time, it’s fun.” Sister Speak performs at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 20 at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. For more information, visit www.humphreysbackstagelive.com.