“It’s not easy,” Jimenez said. “There’s you as a person and your music as an extension of that, and then you as a business and your music as the product. I can see why famous people go crazy and I’m not even near famous.”
   Though they occasionally perform together, the two are distinct and unique musicians. Jimenez writes songs in the folk rock vein of Bob Dylan, while Kelly’s songs are intimate folk gems reminiscent of Dar Williams.
   While the pair are old pros at the Long Island open mic circuit, trying to broaden their exposure is turning into a second full time job. Kelly finds she’s on a constant campaign to promote herself in public, and, in private, to keep up with her Web site, an e mail based mailing list and perhaps most importantly, her MySpace page. “But I sincerely believe that you get what you put into it.”
   The two are fairly new to the Queens scene, having moved to Far Rockaway less than a year ago to take advantage of the cheap rentals.
   They enjoy playing at the Vault in Queens Village, the underground venue the owners open up for poetry readings and music, “all for the love of creativity,” Jimenez said.
   Otherwise, they see Queens as promising, but not yet delivering. It’s a place for musicians to find a place to lay their heads, but not a loyal following. “I think when musicians think of places to live, they think of Queens, but when they think of places to play, they think Brooklyn and Manhattan,” Jimenez said.
   Though like many of their contemporaries, they see hope in the western reaches of the borough. “I think certain neighborhoods in Queens will likely progress the way Williamsburg and Park Slope have in Brooklyn, not to be ‘cliche hipster town’ necessarily, just to be full of art and culture and affordable,” Kelly said.
   In the meantime, though, the pair continues to secure gigs, hone their craft and support each other’s endeavors. They are also both leaning away from their gentler indie selves. Jimenez is forming a band with a new drummer and bass player and writing new material influenced by everything from folk to rhythm and blues. Kelly, who has always been bothered by the gender stereotypes and inspired by the trailblazing folk rocker Ani Difranco, is looking to form a proper rock band. She promises the first full length album will be much louder and more aggressive than her previous material.
   For a taste of the pair’s latest songs and performing schedule, visit www.myspace .com/roriekelly and www.myspace.com/ andrewjimenez.