Brazen Stir

For a band that has been performing live just since January 2009, Brazen Stir has garnered some notable accolades. It has a track on Zia Records’ recent compilation, “You Heard Us When Volume 4” and placed third in last month’s Tempe Music Festival’s SRP Garage Band Competition.

Despite the garage band competition’s placement, it’s not indicative of the band’s genre. Brazen Stir jams melodic arrangements that cull from college groove rock, electronic 80s/90s Britpop and includes some bluesy guitar riffs. The music embraces catchy, rhythmic lyrics sung by a 22-year-old with a convincing, passionate voice that was trained by singing in the Tucson Boys Chorus.

It’s difficult to pin down an overall sound; even as the tracks on the frosh release seamlessly meld into the next - each song is quietly distinct and encompasses the individual members’ influences.

Vocalist, co-lyricist and keyboardist Darius Artiola said, “We are all very into music and listen to pretty variant forms of music, so I believe that’s where we get a smorgasbord of sound that comes together.”

Members include 20-somethings Kyle Craft Schipfer, bassist, drummer Doug Carroll, lead guitarist Johny Vargas and rhythm guitarist/co-lyricist Kevin Brown.

Album highlights include Serenading Land, Ms Creation, Eau, Hard to Forget, Morning Glory, Not Alone. The album was recorded at Wavelab Studios and deftly produced by Craig Schumacher. n

Brazen Stir’s CD release is May 7 at O’Malley’s, 247 N. 4th Ave., with RCougar & DJ Dibs. Preview tracks online at MySpace.com/brazenstir.