Melveen Leed and Mel Cabang are cousins who share a passion for performing.

She's essentially a singer, he's a comedian. They each have logged more than 30 years in show biz, and together they mix music with mirth, belting out songs and tickling the funny bone — sometimes stretching the margins.

By tweaking earlier connections, Leed and Cabang have found new sparks that have jump-started their careers — side by side — as a viable nightlife attraction, including a gig this weekend at C'est Si Bon. How they fare now will help define what they do together down the line.

Their first big collaboration was at a Local Divas concert several years ago; Leed invited Cabang to provide the laughs in her segment at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hawai'i Ballroom. Since then, they've honed the act, capitalizing on their love of comedy.

We caught up with the two Mels while she took a break from recording chores, and he was digesting lunch and relaxing at Ala Moana Beach last week. Listen up:

What makes you click?

Leed: "It's the genes; we're cousins, but he's more naughty; we have the same drive, making people (audiences) happy."

Cabang: "We're just very good together, especially on skits. We jell."

What do you bring to the plate?

Leed: "I make him look good; he needs the lift."

Cabang: "I bring the comedy; she does spontaneous things. But she's quick-witted."

What's your first recollection of the other?

Leed: "He was nuts ... at the (old) Gold Coin restaurant, well before he was sent to prison" (on a gambling-operation conviction).

Cabang: "First time I saw her, she was 21; Don Ho brought her up to sing at a church banquet in Alhambra, 40 years or so ago; she sounded great."

Does this show mean you'll be teaming more in the future?

Leed: "Well, it's fun. But I've mastered the Yamaha (keyboards) and do a show with a guitarist, Anela Kahiamoe, with men as guests. Did one at Kahilu Theatre, and we hope to do another at the Naniloa in Hilo."

Cabang: "We'd like to take it to the other islands. Maybe to the Mainland, too, where there are a lot of starving musicians — and Filipinos who are hungry for laughs. I played Vallejo, and the Filipinos went wild."

Is there any sense of competition between the two of you?

Leed: "Not at all; we respect each other — and each other's talent."

Cabang: "Heck, no. No way. I look at her as a great singer, with a great personality. I look to her as a great singer; I'm a comedian."

Is it going to be a battle of wits to draw the bigger laughs?

Leed: "It's not nice to do battle; what comes naturally, we'll fill in; go with the flow."

Cabang: "I'd like to give her the ring; I can dig anybody, but I'll let her reign. Not overshadow; works better, if I sing badly; the people love that, too."

What common traits do you share?

Leed: "We're both fast with the mouth — comes out naturally."

Cabang: "We're both 62; we both sing, play instruments, try to involve the audience. We have similar personalities, and we're cousins."

Are you searching for a mate?

Leed: "I have a wonderful new boyfriend — my old high school sweetheart."

Cabang: "I got a nice girlfriend."

What ticks you off about the other?

Leed: "Nothing at all; I love him. And if he weren't my cousin, I'd sell him off to another wahine."

Cabang: "Nothing; to me, she's polite, within boundaries — but she has an honest way of telling you something."

Tell me a secret about the other that you discovered in the course of working together.

Leed: "He has a wonderful heart, good and kind; I love that."

Cabang: "She's even-tempered — and really likes to sing; the songs just emanate from her."

Any advice for your fans?

Leed: "Better put on your Depends; it's going to be so funny, you'll pee."

Cabang: "This won't be dirty; I can go to the edge, and stop."

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.