While her love of music began early, Barb Bazaldua didn’t perform a public gig until she was 26. Once she did, she was hooked. Each live show is reminiscent of hanging out with an intimate group of friends. Whether solo or with other players, Barb has established a devoted following of fans in the Upper Midwest as much for the quiet, acoustic moments as the aggressive edges. On stage, she takes her listeners on a musical joyride that mixes covers by Edie Brickell, Lisa Loeb, 10,000 Maniacs and Bob Marley with original songs.
Her musical upbringing started during childhood in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she and her three brothers and three sisters played guitar and sang in church. Her love of music was cultivated by the intense rhythms of mariachi music. By the time she was 13, she was playing in a two-piece garage band that played one song: “Fly By Night†by Rush. Her father moved his family to Germany when she was a sophomore in high school and she played the music of Neil Young, America, Crosby Stills & Nash on the streets for money.
All of these experiences have developed a style that is a delightful blend of influence and originality.
"It's contemporary rock, industrial folk, with a touch of alternative and a taste of Texas," she says.
Her brother, Mark Bazaldua, doubles as songwriting partner and their writing is a striking representation of human experience that invokes honesty, but leaves an audience with a sense of optimism. In addition to writing for her own independent releases and community projects, they continue to write for publication, selling songs to other artists, film and television.
“People can relate to our songs and I really love getting that reaction,†Barb says.
Always generous with her time and music, she's contributed to a number of community projects and programs as well as performing at festivals, clubs and colleges throughout the Upper Midwest and has opened for Blessid Union of Souls, Sam Llanas of The Bodeans, and Billy Pilgrim.
Barb is also looking forward to returning to Germany in March 2007 as a part of Bitburger Beer’s Unplugged Music Festival.