Big Stir Records evolved from the Big Stir: Power Pop & More concert series in Los Angeles, created by Christina Bulbenko and Rex Broome of Burbank-based band The Armoires and named in tribute to power pop pioneers Big Star. The initial goal was to nurture a local musical community, but as that community grew, the outlook became global, spawning sister series in the UK and Northern California. The artists and bands of a reinvigorated pop scene found themselves ready to create new records for a wider audience. It was Steven Wilson of Plasticsoul, one of the scene's leading lights, who first announced that he was finally putting out his band's long-awaited third album, Therapy, on Big Stir Records. 

“Big Stir Records didn't exist at the time”, says Rex, “but made perfect sense immediately. The record was just ridiculously terrific and we were honored to be associated with it in any way!” Big Stir thus progressed organically from booking and promoting live shows and tours, to releasing albums as a record label. Therapy became BSR'ss first release in May of 2017 and received the expected rapturous reviews. It was followed by The Big Stir Traveling International Roadshow compilation, collecting tracks from the US and UK bands who toured together under that banner: the label had gone global. September saw the release of Joie de Vivre, an EP from LA's celebrated garage-rock outfit The Condors, and a US release of ‘Pacéphale, the yet undiscovered masterpiece from Canterbury, England's Spygenius is next on the slate. A brand new album from Fresno, CA, legends Blake Jones & the Trike Shop and the sophomore album from The Armoires themselves, are set to follow. 

“The artists of this scene have always self-released on their own imprints,” explains Christina. “All of them are wonderful, get great reviews and strong regional sales, and find new fans through the Big Stir events. Everyone in the community supports each other: we play together, tour together, and share contacts and insights. We all felt like label mates and mutual promoters already. The label was just the next natural step in the growth of the family vibe we've helped to foster.” What had begun as a heart and soul response to the trials of the indifferent Los Angeles booking scene has become a vigorous platform for new works from the cream of the crop of international pop rock, and Big Stir Records is committed to promoting and facilitating their bright futures.