Teacher by day, musician by night

Mischievia, also known as Brenda Fitz, fuses styles to create her own sound

JENNA DOSCH/VIEWBrenda Fitz, shown at the Family Music Center, 2714 N. Green Valley Parkway, breaks out of the quiet role of music teacher to perform her own music under the name Mischievia. Advertisement

CATCH THE SHOW

* What: Mischievia live in concert

* When: 9 p.m. Saturday

* Where: Zia Records, 4225 S. Eastern Ave.

* Tickets: Free

* Information: www.mischievia.net

Professional piano teacher Brenda Fitz is stalked by a moonlighting alter ego so unlike her everyday persona that the musician felt the need to dub the rascally nymph Mischievia -- and allows the vixen free reign on a nightly basis.

"I'm a songwriter. I'm a musician before I'm anything," Fitz said. "When I perform and write, it is like I have this whole other person striving to break free. That was why I took on the stage name Mischievia. Also, it's sort of connotative of my nature. I'm mischievous. I will set up situations just to watch them play out, not with malicious intent, but because I can't help myself. I want to see what will happen."

According to Fitz, it's that curious nature that has led to some of her best songwriting sessions.

"I'm a people watcher," she said. "Most of my songs are not about my plight, but what I see happening about the lives of people around me. I wanna write that song about that girl on the dance floor, or that couple who broke up in the parking lot of a Starbucks. It's real. That's what I love about it."

Fitz is known for her unique, melodic arrangements and playful hooks, most of which are grounded in a fusion of musical styles from around the world.

"I'm a fan of Jamaican music, big time," Fitz said. "I use those beats, that vibe, a lot in my music. But, I'm not the type of writer that is going to stick to one genre. I break every rule that record execs have said shouldn't be broken for years. It's music. It's a personal thing. There are no rules."

Fitz said she is most proud of the fact that her music, lyrically, is simple and beat-oriented.

"I want it to be easy to decipher and to be very danceable," she said. "Not that I don't write deeper pieces, but for the dance hooks, you don't groove on the dance floor and try to pick out the deeper meaning of profound lyrics. You just want to move."

According to Fitz, her most paramount influence as a musician has been the work of composer Serge Rochmaninov.

"He had a great impact on me early on," Fitz said. "As a pianist, his music is so challenging and moving. He is the dark overlord of classical music."

Fitz said she is working hard to find gigs for her alter ego and struggling to complete her self-produced debut album "Who Am I," due out late this summer.

"Mischievia is one of the most talented women in this city," manager Floyd "Stichie" Richards said. "She sings, plays multiple instruments, and has a style you won't hear on any street corner or in any club."

While Fitz said that she isn't necessarily looking to be signed to a major label, she admits that for purposes of distribution, she wouldn't turn it down.

"Honestly, I'm happy to be making music," she said. "As long as I can do that, it's all good."

Mischievia will play at 9 p.m. Saturday at Zia Records, 4225 S. Eastern Ave. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.mischievia.net.