Brother Spellbinder (aka Spellbinder Orchestra)

Brother Spellbinder play well-crafted songs with old world ache and modern angst. Sometimes described as Cabaret Folk-rock, they veer off the beaten track with plaintiff vocals, unusual arrangements, and a variety of textures. As the daughter of a well-known drummer in the SF rock scene, Alzara learned early that music could move mountains. She works as a therapist/social worker in public health with low income SF residents and has a deep interest in how people evolve through hardship and how they heal from loss. She formed Brother Spellbinder with roots guitarist and local fisherman Jamie Wilson in 2012, an early graduate from San Francisco's School of the Arts High School. Steve La Porta adds rhythm and percussion off the beaten track and has played with Chuck Brown and Alan Hall. Rotating strings include vibrant, haunting tones on cello by Rice Masters graduate Gabriel Beistline and whimsical fills and textures on mandolin and fiddle by Steve Bollhoefer. Other rotating spellbinders include flute player Dale Carlson and harpist Eri Messer. "Raw plaintive lamentations. Her soul the strummer, Her heart the drummer. Now the Lady, now the Vamp. Preying on Men, praying for man. The Moon Goddess giveth, the Melancholy Mistress taketh away. Let there be light." ~ Beau Lebette Alzara often performs in New York and the band is planning to tour soon.

San Francisco, CA