It's not often that Seattle nightlife is dominated by the creative forces of Skykomish, Washington—but for March 22–24, the Rendezvous' Jewelbox Theater will host the small town's premier "softronix" trio, Connie & the Precious Moments. I got Ms. Connie Merlot on the phone for an exclusive sneak preview of their new show, "No Thank You."

"I moved here from Nevada about four years ago to better my life," reveals Merlot. "I was working at a brothel—which is not something I'm ashamed of—it's legal down there. But I moved to the Pacific Northwest to start over, and I've been attending community college to get my AA in clerical, because I'd like to be a receptionist one day. I was taking a Music Appreciation 101 course, and that was where I met Rene and Joyce." That pair—who go only by their first names, "à la Cher or Madonna," according to Merlot—form the Precious Moments.

"Rene is not a native to our great country," Merlot continues. "He's an immigrant from a very small Eastern Bloc nation, a terrible, sad little country. There's no work and no funding or interest in popular music there. Rene knew that he had to come here to fulfill his dream. He's a musical genius and a technical wizard, and he created softronix, which is a kind of mélange of smooth jazz, new-age healing music, pop-country, and adult-contemporary AM radio."

Having witnessed the spectacle of softronix in action, I can say that these words don't begin to do it justice. Rene conducts a virtual orchestra of MIDI devices to achieve a sound that Merlot describes as "metronatural"—while Joyce, the group's "spiritual anchor," sings backup and plays tambourine.

"Joyce has no formal training and really no comprehension of music," says Merlot. "But she has so much soul and so much spirit. She's a single mother of several children, she works multiple jobs while attending community college, and she's a survivor of battered-wife syndrome. And she brings all of that to the group."

According to Merlot, there is "absolutely not" any romance between group members. "We respect one another and the importance of the music we're making far too much to let any of that interfere."

Though strictly platonic, there is an undeniable chemistry between Merlot and her Precious Moments. At previous Seattle engagements at Re-bar, the band performed exclusively covers in their singular softronix style, but this show will mark the debut of some original material.

"I think the real showpiece of the set will be the title song of the show, 'No Thank You.' It's about empowerment and about not letting that man—or maybe even that woman—in your life control you and your destiny."

The show promises to be more, much more, than just songs.

"I am also, in addition to a chanteuse, a very accomplished poetess," says Merlot. "I'll be sharing some of my poems, reflections, and daily affirmations. I've lived a lot, I've attended a lot of self-improvement seminars, and I feel it's my duty to share that wisdom with others. That's what 'No Thank You' is all about."recommended

egrandy@thestranger.com