Petty Chavez blends the smoky, deep vocal tones of Simon Petty and the fluid clarity of Celia Chavez into honey-warm harmony — the foundation of a soundscape where guitars and percussion dissolve seamlessly into story. Their songs are shaped as much by the misty greys of England and the Pacific Northwest as by the sunlit gold of Southern California — where their musical paths first crossed. 

Simon’s path turned westward when a record deal propelled his band Minibar from London across the Atlantic to record their debut album with legendary producer T Bone Burnett in Los Angeles. From there, he toured North America with Pete Yorn, honing his craft along the way. Simon’s signature mix of world-weary optimism and musical eclecticism has since become the foundation of both his solo work and his collaborations, including his ongoing partnership with Seth Rothschild and the evolving sound of Petty Chavez.

Celia (pronounced “SELL-yah”) brings her own brand of wistful lyricism and crystalline vocal play to the duo. She seamlessly blends a wide range of influences, channeling Aretha’s soul, Dusty’s warmth, Linda’s vulnerable power, and Joni’s poetic spirit. From Seattle and New York City clubs to global arena tours, she has sung with a diverse roster of major artists, including Pink, Melody Gardot, Julia Fordham, Burning Spear, and most recently, as Enrique Iglesias’ touring duet partner. A passionate voice and vocal harmony teacher, Celia helps others develop their own artistry with the same care and nuance she brings to her own performances.

Together, Petty Chavez creates music both nostalgic and new — a lovingly layered landscape rooted in their deep bonds as partners in music and life. They are currently capturing these sounds in their Santa Monica studio with producer Greg Johnson, crafting an upcoming EP that promises to be as intimate as it is expansive.

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About their debut single, Our Apartment:

Simon and Celia co-wrote the song, and Simon recalls: 

"Celia had come up with this beautifully evocative line, “one last look at the stars,” and one night when she was away on tour, I started writing something around the idea of it. It was just one of those “describe the here and now” moments: what can you hear, what do you feel? The Expo train line to Santa Monica runs close by our place, but at enough of a distance for it to be comforting, rather than a continual interruption. It’s the soundtrack of our little oasis in the city; and when we hear it through our windows, we know we are home. The song became an ode to this place that we’ve built together, filled with musical instruments and books and song. Once the first verse solidified, Celia came home and wrote that beautiful melody for the second, and then we combined the two for the end. Finally, the original line that inspired it all became our album title.”

The Family Record Collection

Simon’s family record collection included mostly Chopin etudes and great musicals. “My Dad wrote witty Noel Coward style songs, which he played on an old Spanish classical guitar,” remembers Simon. “He taught me two chords (E and B7) when I was about 13, which, it turns out, for a career in popular music, is all you really need!”

Celia’s mother played piano and sang beautifully, though not professionally. As a Merchant Marine, her dad played sax in the engine room when he was out to sea, not wanting to bother the rest of the crew. There was a broad selection of music playing in the Chavez house — from opera to doo wop, to folk, big band and soul. Celia is very clear on what she learned from growing up with lots of diverse music, saying, “Opera made me fall in love with the drama, dynamics, the sounds of different languages and the power and deftness of the singer’s voice. 1950’s and ‘60’s vocal pop, jazz and folk sparked my lifelong love of harmony.”

What Brought Them Together

The music of David Bowie, an artist they both loved, was the catalyst for bringing them together.  “We met on a Bowie tribute gig, on Friday the 13th, 2013,” Celia remembers vividly.  “Simon was a featured artist that evening, and I was a singer in the house band. Simon was assigned the song ‘Aladdin Sane,’ which has a high part in the chorus out of his usual range.” Simon adds to the story and admits, “To be ruthlessly accurate, we met because I can’t hit a G sharp. I had asked for some help on the chorus of ‘Aladdin Sane’ and very fortuitously, Celia was allotted the task.” 

The Chemistry

 “The first time we sang together,” Celia remembers, “when he opened his mouth that night standing next to me onstage, I became so distracted I nearly dropped my mic and almost forgot to come in on my part. I remember my head turning and my jaw dropping; there is something really rare and special in Simon’s voice. He somehow conveys a complex cocktail of emotions: he sounds simultaneously childlike and world-weary, hopeful and desolate, nostalgic and present, honest and reticent, tender and masculine. I knew I wanted to sing with him again. “

Simon also felt chemistry. “The songs and the vocal blend have just evolved very naturally, as an extension of our compatibility. We couldn’t be more different to look at or listen to, but when we sing, her sweetness blurs all my rough edges.”

What’s Next

Celia explains what makes this musical collaboration work so magically.  “We just have fun, and we truly want the music to be the best it can, to both express and evoke honest emotion. There’s deep mutual respect, trust and admiration that we have built over the years. We also share an ongoing good-natured curiosity and wonder about each other, and we look forward to see what the other has to bring to the creative partnership with every new song and professional adventure.”  

Write from the heart, sing as often as you can, play music with the people you love. — Simon Petty

Stay open and connect meaningfully, approach creativity as a form of service to the world and recognize and own the worth in what you do. — Celia Chavez