When Deb Brandt and Aly Burks crossed paths nearly seven years ago as members of MIMX, the popular Mercer Island cover band, they instantly hit it off.
Deb, a lifetime pianist with a film scoring degree, and Aly, a former student of dance and musical theater, connected over their shared Dartmouth background and love of music. Though they came from different musical upbringings–Deb immersed in formal training from age three, Aly captivated by lyrics from a young age and always in love with the stage–they found common ground in their passion for bringing new life to beloved songs.
In MIMX, they thrive as part of an energetic nine-piece band, feeding off the excitement of the crowds they get grooving on the dance floor. But they both saw an opportunity to explore a different, softer side of music. Aly and Deb began experimenting with their own acoustic covers and highly stylized arrangements. It wasn’t long before The Small Bandits, a keyboard and vocal duo, was born in January 2022.
“This journey has been purposeful and therapeutic, humbling and fun. Each time Deb rings my doorbell for practice, joy washes over me, knowing that for the next two hours, I get to explore and work on music with a dear friend. And then to think that she chooses to do this with me *and* that people choose to come listen to us? I mean, pinch me – I just have infinite gratitude for the whole experience.” – Aly
When they speak about their process, you sense the appreciation they have for their friendship and the opportunity to collaborate. The two artists bounce ideas off each other, introduce each other to new music, and ultimately curate a repertoire that is a perfect blend of their individual tastes, experiences and talents.
Do they always agree on how to approach music? “Not always,” Deb laughs. “Sometimes we come at things from wildly different places. Or one of us has to convince the other to take on a song they’re not crazy about. But we trust each other, keep an open mind, and always find common ground. We both genuinely want each other to be happy and musically fulfilled. And because of that, we always wind up with a better outcome.”
Deb and Aly put their own unique spin on classics by the songwriting greats they grew up with–from Joni Mitchell to Jim Croce, Elton John to Bob Dylan. And they get a thrill out of surprising audiences, taking well-known songs and reinventing them in unexpected ways, such as Jimi Hendrix’s The Wind Cries Mary or The Police’s Roxanne. Their songbook is an eclectic mix, spanning multiple genres and styles, and drawing from every decade since the 1960’s. It’s not uncommon to hear The Small Bandits perform music by Madonna, Led Zeppelin, Alicia Keys and Jimmy Buffet all in the same evening.
Aly and Deb’s collaboration has allowed both artists to grow not just musically, but also as individuals. Aly explained, “Picking music back up in my thirties after having put it down for so long has taught me so much. You know, life is long. It’s truly never too late to continue evolving, learning and doing what you love.”
Most of all, Deb and Aly cherish the deep personal connection they've forged and the creative license they’ve discovered. As Deb put it, being part of a duo means she has an opportunity to be “the whole band”--reinterpreting songs with diverse instrumentations as piano arrangements that highlight and support Aly’s vocals. For Aly, it's a chance to sing freely with emotion and connect to a song in a way that brings her back to that little girl singing her heart out to an invisible sold-out crowd.
Now, Aly sings with lots of us around. The Small Bandits have a devoted following, including Courtney Anders and Meghan Banta, who call themselves “The Small Fandits” and are often the first to arrive and the last to leave their shows.
To be part of the growing list of “Fandits”, follow The Small Bandits' Facebook Page or look for them at local fundraising events. They are also regular performers at Barrel’s Wine Bar, with upcoming appearances on May 16th and June 13th.
"We trust each other, keep an open mind, and always find common ground. We both genuinely want each other to be happy and musically fulfilled." - Debra
"Each time Deb rings my doorbell for practice, joy washes over me, knowing that for the next two hours I get to explore and work on music with a dear friend. I just have infinite gratitude for the whole experience.” – Aly