Charmed Seed Cosplay

Does Brandi Shigley know something you don’t? Head to the Oriental Theater on Saturday to find out. Photo from MySpace.com.

If Brandi Shigley looks familiar, it’s because she is. The busy designer and entrepreneur is all over town as the brains behind Fashion Denver and the small business and marketing company B.23, as well as a “co-fabricator” with the on-hiatus Fabricate magazine.

Get ready to add another notch to resume: Shigley will debut her new band, the playful, melody-drenched b.sous (pronounced “bee sue”) at the Oriental Theater on Saturday as part of Fashion Denver’s Fresh Spring Fashion Market.

We recently e-mailed Brandi some questions about Fashion Denver, this weekend’s event and her band, which also includes Jon DeStefano (Hate F*ck Trio), Brian Hendrick (Separate Cars, Blast Off Heads) and, for the next couple shows, Ani DiFranco drummer Daren Hahn .

Why and when did you start b.sous?

b.sous has been in my mind for the past two years. I’ve always loved singing. I’ve always loved music. I love dancing and I don’t mind being on stage. One day I was hanging out with Jon Destefano and we started laying down tracks. I made up a little silly song called “Chount Cocula” that had some French parts.

It was so much fun recording and hearing it being played back that I was hooked!! That’s when I realized that I want to take the little song ideas and do something with them.

Where did the name come from?

I spent lots of time in France and soon began signing off on my emails with bee zoo (a play on words for Bisous). Then it evolved into B.Sous. The B. has always represented me and my name, Brandi.

The first business I had was called B.Shigley Designs. My marketing/small business development company is called B.23. So, naturally B.Sous seemed to be what fit. It’s a kiss, it’s me. It’s the thoughts that come out of my head and are turned into songs. Jonny and Brian throw in their amazing musical talents and really make it what it is! It’s equally all of us!!! Some of the songs that we will play are Jonny songs from his musical project Chewbacca Bukkake and I’m singing back up (”Life’s a Trip”).

What other bands or musical projects have you been involved in?

I worked with Bobby Collins on making my Fashion Denver jingle. I sang back up on some HFT songs way back in the day. I sang a couple holiday songs with American Relay this past Christmas at the Bluebird and last winter at the Bar Bar and the atrium of the DCPA. I recorded some French lyrics with a musical artist in San Fran. And, well, I proudly performed at nursing homes and at the Buckingham Mall when I was in Girl’s ensemble in 5th and 6th grade!

What else inspires you musically? Are any of your favorite bands an influence on b.sous?

I LOVE Cibo Matto, CocoRosie, French pop music from the ’60s, doo-wop and golden oldies. I’m also a huge fan of Weezer… I think they all have their influences on me and it seeps in my mind when I don’t even realize it. Somebody once told me that my music reminded them of CocoRosie and they had no idea that I was a huge fan, so it obviously is seeping into my influences.

b.sous has a light, refreshing sound, especially with so many other bands peddling dark, moody songs and slick production. Was that intentional?

The songs that I write are light and happy because I am light and happy. I’m a hopeless romantic, a lover of loving love… I don’t really know anything else. As far as seeing myself fit somewhere in the local music scene, I have no idea! I don’t know what to classify b.sous under so when people ask what our music is like, I just say “cute”… but I don’t really know because I am not good at classifying. I think things are what they are and don’t always need to fit into a category…

Have you released, or do you plan to release, any recordings? Any tour plans?

We’ve been recording lots but haven’t officially “released” anything as of yet. We’re getting everything situated with our lawyer. I know that might sound silly, but I really believe in b.sous and I do want it to go far and I want to do it right and protect our music… some people give me weird looks when they hear I’m working with a lawyer, but I feel content with it.

What’s your background?

I was adopted from the Philipines and grew up in the Denver area… I went to high school at Smoky Hill High School (that’s where I became friends with Brian Hendrick, who’s in the band). I’ve been living in Capitol Hill since 1997 but moved to Southern California for a couple of years. I’m a Taurus who loves to eat sushi and take really really really long walks on the beach ; )

How do you feel about the Denver arts scene (fashion, art, music) in general at the moment?

Right now Denver is BLOWING UP! There is so much talent all around us!!! Fashion, art and music are all filled to the brim with creative and talented people and it is so much fun to be a part of it!!!

What’s the inspiration behind the Fashion Denver gig on Saturday?

The inspiration behind the Fashion Denver FRESH fashion market is spring, renewal, colors, being free, being fresh, being free to be and express yourself however that may be. Fashion is so much fun! I can’t wait to figure out what I’m going to wear for our first performance!!!! I’m thinking a pink tutu…

Listen to b.sous on MySpace and visit the Oriental Theater or Fashion Denver for more information on the Fresh Spring Fashion Market, which starts at noon on Saturday and includes music from Jason Cain, Babah Wird, Turbo Knife Fight and DJs Uplifter and Bobby Collins.