Bazile’s Mississippi roots and a love of film music contribute to his unique style of songwriting that is both visceral and refined. Sometimes accompanied by drums and synthesizer but often relying strictly on his voice and a guitar, Bazile’s live performances offer stripped-down arrangements of his Ravel-inspired harmonies. In the studio, Bazile overdubs stringed and keyed parts until the track reaches a critical mass of melodic and ambient sounds. This sonic mass could be considered a second cousin to both Sufjan Stevens and Radiohead. Bazile simply calls it Space Folk. Though based in Austin for the last three years, Bazile’s recently released debut, The Sojourn of Professor Narducci, reflects his previously itinerant lifestyle. Living and visiting several continents motivated him to write about themes that cover just as much territory. On Professor Narducci, Bazile is equally comfortable singing about science, religion and romance. These themes are explored via his middle-aged, Italian alter-ego, who spends his sabbatical on a quixotic quest for women and wisdom. Bazile’s versatile vocals, which can produce both the smoothness of Bossa Nova and the grit of Honky Tonk, allow him to cover the narrator’s broad range of emotional rambles.