Brother Spellbinder veers off the beaten track with plaintive vocals, unusual arrangements, and a variety of textures. Incorporating elements of folk, gypsy jazz and indie, the music moves from rousing and infectious to dreamy and fragile. Lyrics flow from the uncensored mythical realm of the human psyche to the here and now of human experience. Brother Spellbinder aims to enchant in an age of disenchantment.
The daughter of Big Brother & The Holding Co.’s original drummer – Dave Getz – singer/songwriter Alzara Getz grew up in a rock-n-roll scene and learned early that music could move mountains. As a public health social worker, her deep interest in how people heal – or not – is a source of inspiration for songwriting. After years of performing with a variety of bay area bands, she decided it was time to lead her own. She formed Brother Spellbinder with guitarist Jamie Wilson in 2012. Wilson was an early graduate from San Francisco’s School of the Arts High School and counters Alzara’s dulcet voice with a dollop of gristle in his vocals and rhythm guitar that resonates with an earthy om. Two cellists round out the lower registers with rich velvet tones: Rice masters graduate Gabriel Beistline, a regular with The Santa Rosa Symphony, Merced Symphony and many others, and Helena Tietze, daughter of a choir director and organist, an accomplished pianist/keyboardist, and a singer/songwriter herself. Lead guitarist Sean Griffin plays ethereal and sensual riffs that expand the heavenly arc and seasoned drummer Steve La Porta steers the songs with creative variations on the march, joyful world beats and rambunctious two-steps to make your feet move.