Good Neighbor Podcast: Orange County

Why Live Music Beats Playlists For Any Event

• Rachel Fyffe & Aidan Bras

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The room changes when horns hit the first note. We sat down with bandleader Aidan Bras to share how a college idea became the Silver Bullet Big Band, a tight-knit ensemble bringing swing, modern jazz, and big, warm energy to Orange County events. From backyard parties to restaurant patios and wedding dance floors, Aidan explains why live music doesn’t just fill silence—it turns gatherings into stories people remember.

We dig into the origin of the band and the simple steps that made it real: recruit talented friends from local school districts, lock a repertoire that spans Glenn Miller to Gordon Goodwin, and keep the focus on joy without losing professional standards. Aidan challenges the common myth that “professional” means rigid or overly formal. Instead, he makes the case that fun and excellence amplify each other, especially in jazz where interaction and spontaneity define the experience. You’ll hear how the group adapts sets on the fly, meets audiences where they are, and brings a sense of community to every stage.

For anyone curious about booking, Aidan breaks down practical marketing: Instagram reels, direct outreach, and word of mouth that spreads through happy venues and hosts. He talks candidly about balancing school, music, sports, and health, and why that mix keeps the band fresh and ready. If you’ve been debating a playlist versus a live band for your next event, this conversation lays out the real difference—energy that breathes, moments that surprise, and a soundtrack shaped in the room, not in a studio. Want to learn more or request a date? Find Silver Bullet Big Band on Instagram or email brassonbrass@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors discover local talent.

SPEAKER_00:

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Rachel Fife.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Now, if you are planning a party or big event and you're looking for that big band sound, well, that resource is closer than you think. Today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, Aiden Brass, with Silver Bullet Big Band. Aiden, how's it going?

SPEAKER_01:

Pretty good. How are you?

SPEAKER_02:

We're doing great. Well, we're really excited to learn about your business and the Silver Bullet Big Band. So tell us all about it.

SPEAKER_01:

Um, as a college student, a college music student, I decided to go out and create a jazz big band with a good a good amount of my good friends. We play all over uh Orange County and Irvine and all over the place. And we we love coming and having fun, playing whatever you want us to play. We're we're just there to have fun.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful. Well, you kind of touched upon it, but how did you get into this and get this all started?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, uh so a couple years ago, um, I marched a big marching band thing, and I came back and I just I didn't have the community that I wanted. So I went out with one of my friends from high school and I said, let's make this. So I found uh students from all over uh Saddleback School District and uh Capo Valley Unified School District and pulled everybody together and started a big band.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful. Well, do you what do you think are maybe some myths or misconceptions in your industry?

SPEAKER_01:

Um, I don't know of exactly that many, but um that it's all professional work, um, that it's all super professional. It's it's yes, it's definitely professional work, but the most important part is having fun while performing.

SPEAKER_02:

Good, good. So we know marketing is really the heart of every business. So how are you marketing and finding your venues?

SPEAKER_01:

Mostly through Instagram, um, Instagram contacts, also going out and making sure that I know a lot of people, um, advertising to restaurants, um, mainly through uh word of mouth, but also through Instagram.

unknown:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

That's great. So now I gotta ask you, have you ever thought about doing your own podcast?

SPEAKER_01:

I have not, actually.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Um so now outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?

SPEAKER_01:

I mean, I obviously love playing music and it's it's one of my it's it's a large, large passion for me. Um, but outside of music, I also um I also play a little bit of football. I love sports and and um like keeping healthy. Uh I play a little bit of video games, but not too many. Um, but mainly music, even outside of my music business.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful. Well, Aiden, please tell our listeners one thing they should remember about the silver bullet big band.

SPEAKER_01:

I think one thing that everyone should keep in mind, especially with music, is that if you're going, if you're having a party or having any kind of event, that live music is always better than pre-recorded music. Yes, it might not be as perfect, but it is always the it it ups the atmosphere a lot.

SPEAKER_02:

I love that. I wanted to ask you what what genres of music are you doing?

SPEAKER_01:

Mainly uh jazz. So whether it be modern jazz or big band swing tunes like um tunes from uh Glenn Miller or more modern tunes like um anything from oh, I'm blinking at his name. Gordon Goodwin. Um anything in between there.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful. Well, how can our listeners learn more about the Silver Bullet Big Band?

SPEAKER_01:

If you want to learn more, we are uh at Silver Bullet Big Band on Instagram, or you can email me directly at uh brassonbrass at gmail.com.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, Aiden, I really appreciate you being on the show, and we wish you and your business really all the best moving forward.

SPEAKER_00:

Thank you so much. Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpoorangecounty.com. That's gnporangecounty.com or call 714 94 862.