Now that school’s out, it’s time to hit the keyboards

A sophomore album, a tour, a music video shoot, TV appearances -- the Seattle indie-pop duo Smoosh has a lot going on this spring. Which is all good, of course, now that they’ve taken care of their schoolwork.

Asya, who plays keyboards and sings, is 14. Her sister Chloe, who plays drums and sings, is 12. Neither a novelty act nor puppets for some big-time production team, the tweenage act -- whose surname their parents decline to give to protect their daughters’ identity -- has juggled pop life with real-world responsibilities.

“The hardest part is having to find time to do your homework,� says Asya, in town this week to shoot a video with director Ace Norton for the song “Find a Way� and for dates as the opening act for Eels. “Thank God it’s summer now and we don’t have to worry about that.�

Already Smoosh has opened for the likes of Pearl Jam, Rilo Kiley, Death Cab for Cutie, Sleater-Kinney and Cat Power. The duo’s new album, “Free to Stay,� comes out June 6 on Barsuk Records, and this summer the twosome, with a nomination for Spin magazine’s 2005 band of the year and a spot on NBC’s “Today� already on its resume, will appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live� and CBS’ “Early Show.�

Asya sounds not only unfazed by the stir but also possibly unaware.

“If people are paying that much attention to us, I’d be pretty surprised,� she says, “but I guess I’d be glad.�

What’s surprising is Smoosh’s music, which has been likened to how Tori Amos would have sounded before she got her driver’s license. Smoosh’s bouncy melodies and fairly fearless percussion frequently transcend juvenilia, even leading to jaw-dropping moments like on “Clap On,� when its 14-year-old lead singer languorously intones, “How do you sleep at night / when you’re drowning in your own lies?�

Clearly, what began in 2000 as seemingly innocuous drum lessons with Death Cab’s Jason McGerr (who mentored the duo and produced the album) is taking on a life of its own.

“The artists we’ve played with have been really supportive,� Asya says. “I think the best advice they’ve given us is to not get too bigheaded.�

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Eels, with Smoosh

Where: The Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Price: $25

Info: (310) 278-9457

Also: 8 p.m. Sunday at the Galaxy Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. $20. (714) 957-0600.