Collberg with a French Twist

The songs on Andrew Collberg’s 2006 CD are listed in two groups, as if they ought to appear on two sides of a record. It’s a nice touch, a nod to the music of yesteryear that clearly influences this kid’s songwriting. Kid? Well, when he released the CD, yes; a story about the CD’s release noted that Collberg, then 19, wouldn’t be able to drink at his own release party. He’s old enough to pick up a pint after the show now, but his CD still sounds youthful and sweet, the product of a musician who clearly spent a lot of time with Beatles and Dylan records when he was even younger. You might also hear a twist of Elliott Smith or a spoonful of the Kinks in Collberg’s songs, for which he plays every instrument, from the spare percussion (he learned to play drums at 7) to the harmonica to the ever-present acoustic guitar. Many of the 16 tracks wouldn’t have seemed out of place on the Rushmore soundtrack, though you could argue about whether the almost too-brief “When We’re Old and Lost” or the tambourine-spotted “Come Home With Me” would be more appropriate.

Collberg is on tour with French-born Marianne Dissard, for whom he plays drums. Dissard’s 2008 CD l’entredeux piled up accolades for its melding of French and Americana elements; her quietly sultry voice floats atop music cowritten and produced by Calexico’s Joey Burns. L’entredeux’s languid, charming songs are sung in French, but the CD booklet helpfully provides English translations of the lyrics — a good thing, too, or you might never know that “Les Confettis,” which Dissard seems to sing with a smile, begins “Here is to our loves, to confettis, to wine that gets us drunk all night.” Take it as nostalgia or take it as affection; it’s a lovely sentiment either way. Marianne Dissard and Andrew Collberg play at 8 pm Tuesday, May 5, at Wandering Goat. Donations. — Molly Templeton