With a pair of acoustic guitars, interesting melodic exchanges, and a little production help from tUnE-yArDs’ Merrill Garbus, Thao Nguyen and Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn, both well known for separate projects, have joined forces at Thao & Mirah to spread some summer love with a new album and a homecoming show in SF this Thursday.

We caught up with them to find out some of their favorite spots to hang in San Francisco.

Favorite SF neighborhood outside of the one you live in now (why?):

Thao: Bernal Hill, Avedano’s Butchers and Progressive Grounds, and then the actual hill — prime real estate.

Mirah: I know it’s not a neighborhood, but I just went to the top of San Bruno for the first time. Up there somewhere. In a fogbank.

Favorite place to listen to music for free:

Mirah: My dad’s house.

Thao: My bandmates’ iPods on tour

Favorite section of Golden Gate Park:

Thao: the pond where the turtles are. I feel like the turtles and I understand each other.

Mirah: The moment when I can see the ocean through the trees from the trail parallel to Lincoln.  I like checking in with the ocean and seeing what the temperament of the day is.  It’s always different and always beautiful to me.

When it’s foggy and gray for weeks, where do you go for warmth?

Thao: The closest space heater.

Mirah: Foggy and gray?  I lived in Olympia, Washington for 10 years.  I don’t even know what you’re talking about San Francisco.

Your first stop after coming home from a long tour:

Thao and Mirah: Rainbow

Best place for a late-night nosh:

Mirah: My house.

Thao: No, mine.

Look! It’s Thao’s House:

One thing in SF you couldn’t live without:

Mirah: My bicycle.

Thao: Hoodies of all sizes for layering.

For a good time call:

Mirah: Circle Community Acupuncture.

Thao: Mission Chinese Food.

Thao & Mirah perform at Great American Music Hall on June 23rd. Tickets are $16, doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.

• Tag: Great American Music Hall, Guide to San Francisco, Interviews, Thao & Mirah