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The Mirabelles took roots in 2001 when two honest musicians with a passion for singing and songwriting came together through admiration of each other’s talents. Raised in Michigan on 80’s pop music, ballet and dance choir, Brandy Runyan was in search of a sound to call her own and a chance to make her mark in an otherwise cookie-cutter music industry. With a voice to reckon with, she began writing her own songs and accompanying herself on her new guitar. These early songs still show a remarkable understanding of melody, structure and most importantly, a control of metaphors hearkening back to some of her earlier influences.
Looking for other music companions is more than a chore at times. Meeting in places like music stores, bars, at parties and through other friends comes with limitations. Impressed by the guitar player for one of Minneapolis’ many country soul bands, Brandy knew right then and there that there must be a way to get his attention. Recalling previous conversations about how guitar players love to talk about their gear, she saddled up side of the stage after the show and asked this notorious guitar player a question about his latest pedal board. Able to absorb even the most inane and trivial information in order to impress all passerby’s, she also mentioned he’d do well to go and buy some Chuck Taylors. He was quickly captivated by her and the two agreed to trade vocal for guitar sessions. Thus the inception of their musical journey together began.
Born in the far off town of Lakenheath, Cambridgeshire, England, Michael Oachs was surrounded by the sounds of Chopin, Schubert and Mahler with his studies on piano and trumpet but felt something was missing. He then turned his eyes from the written pages to the sounds of Clapton, Green and Walsh, saved up $250, bought his first strat and brought new meaning to the word ‘wood shedding.’ Within only a few years of ‘plucking the strings fantastic’ he became a member of several Minneapolis bands and a highly paid session musician. Hungry for something different, a bit of Deus ex Machina arrived in the form of a demo CD and to say he was impressed was like saying the sunrise on the Grand Tetons is ‘OK.’ He knew he had to be a part of what Brandy was doing and summarily offered his skills on guitar, vocals and songwriting.
Evidenced by their hard work over the years, each song is crafted with delicate care making it easy to linger on the lilting melodies and truthful lyrics. Deeply driven to write, perform and produce their unique brand of music, The Mirabelles possess a sense of style that will bring you home, make you want to take a second listen and then pull you in for another.
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