One's a classically-trained soprano and distinguished choral conductor. The other's an award-winning songwriter and tireless presence on Seattle's live-music scene. Both are in-demand session-musicians, though with very different credits. Together, Wes Weddell & Ailisa Newhall bring a shared passion for craft and community to an original duo project that combines two complementary arsenals of skill and experience.

Longtime friends, the pair have teamed for years to teach a songwriting unit in Newhall's public school choir classes, culminating in a week-long studio session where students record their work with Weddell and Newhall accompanying. Over time they began to wonder what they'd sound like playing behind their own compositions, and the two began collaborating as songwriters. The result is Pushing Forward, an album of engaging narrative songs that delivers true dual-lead vocal arrangements supported by nuanced instrumental excellence.