Susie Blue is a Queer indie solo artist from Derry, Belfast, Ireland! In 2018 she released her very personal and impressive debut album, ‘Didn‘t Mean To Care’. It was filled with catchy riffs and melodies, with influences of Kings of Leon and The Cranberries being the basis of her indie sound. There is also very intimate and personal acoustic numbers, ‘Trust Me‘, being a standout.
Susie now has a new indie synth single out, ‘Daughter’ and what a return it is! It contains direct quotes from her Mother being supportive of her coming out and is a great celebration of the gay community that the artist finds herself in Derry. Her new single is also the first offering from her next EP, ‘Boys, Boys, Boys’ and it was great being able to ask her about her music career so far and whats next with the EP!
So your debut album came out back in 2018, ‘Didn’t Mean To Care’, how does it feel looking back on songs that were written 3/4 years ago?
It feels a bit strange because some of them I had written when I was 17 so those feelings seem so far away from me now, but they're all still so precious to me.
What were your earliest memories of music and do those songs and artists still resonate with you now?
The first song I remember hearing on the radio was the Fugees "killing me softly with his song" I was around 3 and I was in my Godmothers kitchen. I remember thinking what she was saying meant how music was so impactful and that the song she was singing about, meant so much to her. My father used to listen to Rod Stewart, Christy Moore, Sinead O’Connor and the beach boys, all which I think have an influence in my writing. My mother was more into 50s and 60s music...so Patsy Cline and Connie Francis, which I think influenced my lyrics to be more story telling in a way.
The opening riff to ‘Lisbeth’ is so angst but grande, how did that riff and song come about? It reminds me a bit of Kings of Leon and their music inspirations!
I absolutely love kings of leon, their live show was one of the best I've seen. The opening for that song has developed so much, I was an acoustic act and I always wrote songs that sounded like they were covers of full band songs because I could always hear the full band in my head. So I started writing with a lead guitarist called Caolan Moore, who is exceptional. We just jammed it out, got that riff and then live we go a bit crazy with that one as it's the opening tune.
The is album for sure a great collective of songs about yourself and your sexuality. How did it feel releasing this body of art about something so pure and personal?
All my songs are so personal anyway because I write how I feel always. For me, writing songs is about getting my point across in a melodic, catchy way and I love being able to share my emotions this way because in real life, in real relationships, I'm sometimes not great at expressing myself.
Many woman still suffer from catcalling and sexist remarks in many ways within music, especially at their own shows and sets. As a gay woman, what would you say to musically gifted woman and queer artists who are scared to perform live, due to the potential prejudice that they may receive?
Being a woman in any industry is hard, especially male dominated ones like the music industry. I also do live sound and production so I get it there too. Basically all I can do is be exceptional at my job and that makes them feel ridiculous for even doubting me.
I would also say dont stand for it, nothing will change if we dont call it out, constantly call it out and as for being afraid to perform live. There are constantly people being rude at gigs and if you have a discussion with the venue beforehand they should be willing to remove these people before you even notice it happening because there is no place in the music scene for sexual harassment or harassment of any kind.
Were there any musicians that made you feel like you could succeed or simply inspire you to write your own music?
Every time I see Blackbird and Crow live (they are a band from donegal) I get inspired to create and do something! Also hearing Joan Jett singing crimson and clover, which was a woman singing about another woman, it made me think I can actually do this, I need to make music that lil gay girls can song along to, so that got me really pumped.
And now there’s another single! ‘Daughter’ which will be on an EP that will be out in the autumn! I feel like a like a lot of people in LGTBQ+ community will really enjoy this one! How did this song come about?
The song actually has direct quotes from my mother in the song, she was very supportive about me being queer and I was so lucky. I thought that the world needed to hear a mother supporting her gay kid, especially if some peoples parents weren't as supportive.
How are you feeling about the release of this up and coming EP, ‘Boys, Boys, Boys’ and what does this body of work mean to you?
I have been so excited to release this new EP, I produced it with my friend Jonny Woods and it just feels right. It turned out exactly how I wanted it to. It's been a long hard year and this has been a big release for me. It's so personal.
Really looking forward to hearing ‘Boys, Boys, Boys’ when it’s out! Hopefully we can have another chat around the time of its release!
Yes I would love to! There are 3 more tracks and each one is so personal and I honestly feel like people will be able to see a part of me I haven't shared before.
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