Catching Up with Our New Favorite Band: Brother Spellbinder
Brother Spellbinder is a group that you need to know now! Their infectious new EP "We Were Once Children Yesterday," is a breath of much-needed fresh air as their sound floats over a scenic landscape from stat to finish. The band's uniqueness is filled with cellos, violins, ukuleles, guitars and an array of rhythmic instruments that drives their sound home. Critically acclaimed and much talked about, Brother Spellbinder is about to become a household name in a major way.We had the chance to catch up with frontwoman Alzara Getz and drummer Steve La Porta for an interview that will have you head over heels. Let's meet Brother Spellbinder...
1. What is the inspiration behind the latest record that you have unveiled into the world?
Alzara: My hope is to create something beautiful and something different. I'm inspired by human issues, but also wanted the music to reflect some deeper vibrations in nature. If you listen closely, you may hear some sounds that evoke rain, wind, storms, sun.
Steve: Create a unique sound fabric that engages listeners on multiple levels. We want to record and execute songs that the audience can listen to multiple times and continue to discover new elements.
2.What made you discover your passion for creating an eclectic blend of your own sound?
Alzara: What's the point of doing something exactly the same? Of course all artists are inspired and build on what's come before, but to create art is to explore a little further and to put one's own unique stamp in the mix. That being said, we all develop within contexts - these include connections, experiences and a good dose of serendipity. I personally love pretty much all styles of music, but found myself suddenly playing ukulele and hanging out with a folky guitarist, Jamie. The next thing you know we were adding cello, violin, drums and so on...each musician added some new ingredient. Songs are processed and have different meanings for each band member and I think it's important to allow for that freedom. However, there are 3 main ingredients that I always find seductive in life and in music: Mystery, Dreaminess, Passion. So it's only natural that these elements tend to manifest within the music.
Steve: The most interesting bands (aside from ones where there is a visionary, i.e., Prince) and the most fun to play in are the ones where all the members are free to put their fingerprint on the music, rather than to be micromanaged every step of the way. Unless someone is paying you a retainer, who wants to ave their own voice controlled 100% of the time?
3. What places in your mind do you channel to craft your songs?
Alzara: Sometimes it's a feeling, a word, a common human failing...although honestly I like to think that songwriting is a bit mysterious too. I tend to avoid writing super literal songs because I like music that endures beyond phrases that may be irrelevant in 20 years. On the other hand there are always exceptions to every rule. Sometimes something simple is just what's called for. Maybe even just a few words or sounds that evoke a certain mood. I also often find inspiration from working with clients as a therapist in a social service setting. I work with mostly low-income clients of all backgrounds and I find there are certain themes that resonate for many in the modern era no matter what their nationality, gender, orientation, etc. For example, many people are feeling the pressure of time, confusion about relationships, wanting a life more fully lived, concern about the state of the world...and so on. I can empathize with all these.
Steve: There’s a difference between creating something that is competent, okay, passable and something that you can be proud of — something that comes from a place of inspiration.
4. If you had to choose, do you feel more comfortable in the studio or onstage, and why?
Alzara: If I had $50,000 to spend on the next record, I could happily spend months in the studio. You can get so creative while recording. The environment seems to fuel new concepts and energy. Plus most studios have a variety of toys and instruments that could lead to all sorts of reinvention. But performing live is also where you connect and are forced to be in the moment. Depending on the gig, the space is all your own to with what you want. It's both fleeting and empowering. I often imagine this could be my last day alive, cuz no one knows what tomorrow will bring, so I owe it to myself and everyone else to provide lots of love and the very best.
Steve: There’s no need to choose between live performance and studio work. The are both necessary parts of the journey. They fuel each other. How else do you test out music you may want to record without seeing how it goes over in front of other folks? I enjoy large venues because you have to try to touch the folks furthest away from the stage. Intimate venues are fun for the opposite reason. You practically have people in your lap. Live performances at both large and small venues, as well as recording projects, require different skills and sensitivities. In other words, it’s all important.
5. How do you create your songs? What is the process like? Does it take you days, weeks, even longer? How does the perfect piece come together?
Alzara: Some songs incubate for many years. I may have written earlier versions of some songs, then found better ways to express the same idea or feeling. Others are just gifts that tumble out. But I work on refining and polishing them. I also have a lot of critics in my family. I didn't grow up with people that were always like "wow, that's amazing!" No, it was more like, "you need more work on such and such." I think that's been helpful for creating a certain repertoire. Only the best of my songs make the final cut. No one likes to "kill their babies" and as much as I hate that expression, I do think it's important to occasionally eliminate material that doesn't resonate for anyone but you.
Steve: Sometimes immediate, sometimes years or somewhere in between.
6. How did you create a sound throughout time that is so uniquely your own? What defines your sound to you?
Alzara: I like to think it comes back to those main ingredients - mysterious, passionate, dreamy. I listen to each piece to see if it has one of these elements and if not, it better have something else going on - sexy, groovy, lively, haunting - these are all good vibes in my book too.
Steve: Am still searching for my sound. I work everyday in exploring ways to find it.
7. This year is shaping up to be a great musical year for you. What do you hope to accomplish as we head further in 2019?
Steve: More great shows, more fun interactions with band members, more iconic (hopefully in other people’s eyes), recordings. This is a very fun band to be part of. I’m thankful every day that I was fortunate enough to respond to a post that introduced me to Alzara and Jamie. 
