Sue Quigley
By Isaac Davis Jr., MBA
Sue Quigley is an amazing singer/songwriter who knows her own element. She is top notch when it comes to her music, and it shows through her catchy lyrics and melodious tunes. Recently, I had the pleasure to listen to some of her new material and was blown away by the power of her voice.
She is a first class act and it is our pleasure to introduce her to the community of JC Internet Radio.
Isaac: Elaborate on who you are and your upbringing.
Sue: I was raised in small town, sounds so clichéd; but I was,
where I felt pretty out of place. I was
in drama and then choir in school and started writing songs once I stole my sister's
guitar that she ignored once she discovered boys, and went from there. A camp I
went to every summer was everything to me as well-there was a counselor there
who sang and had a huge influence on me (Hi Joan!) Who I
am? After putting it off for most of my life, I'm finally the kid in the funny
hat again, refusing to wave at her mother through the bus window ,I'm singing, traveling,
recording, writing my truth and it would be off the hook if others related to
it enough that I could make my living that way....
Isaac: Was there any one musician that spoke to your heart so profoundly, you
were inspired to do your own thing?
Sue: Prolly my camp counselor but also: Joni Mitchell, Heart,
Elton John, Amy Ray, Concrete Blonde, and REM
Isaac: Which singer/group would you say you would most like to do a duet
with?
Sue: Patty Griffin, Amy Ray...
Isaac: What singer/songwriter do you most connect with?
Sue: I love Patty G's
words-story -telling ability w/out being overkill....Amy Ray's 2 sides of a coin
persona intrigues me....
Isaac: Out of your entire song collection that you've written thus far, which
song(s) would you say is/are the most personal/meaningful to you?
Sue: Several of the songs on the new CD coming out this fall
...among them KIllingsworth Street, Perfect Chaos...on the last CD- Not looking
for anything but you still can make me a little verklempt.... :)
Isaac: Which singers/groups do you enjoy/like from some of today's music genres?
Sue: Too many but I love the National; Missy Higgins is cool,
MIA, Michael FRanti, and Duffy's got it going on.....
Isaac: What charities are you involved with or support?
Sue: I'm all about GReenpeace,
Humane Society, Pasado's Safe Haven (They rescued Katrina dogs)
and the Environmental Defense Fund....
Isaac: Have you (or would you ever consider) writing a song about any of today's
particular world issues/problems? If so, what world issue would speak to you
the most to write about?
Sue: I just wrote a song about how I feel about the Earth
and while we're all bound up in politics and pissing matches, polar bears are
drowning. IT's going to be the title
song for the new CD.
Isaac: Why should people listen to your music?
Sue: Because they'll see themselves in it and maybe feel
understood a little more- don't we all want
a little more of that? Or, soothed, or called to action maybe?!!
Isaac: Your music is relaxing and chill. What inspired you to toss out these
awesome lyrics and cords?
Sue: I know I'm not the best guitar player in the world so
I've been experimenting with chords and different melodies-the next CD has an
even more diverse collection I think....
Isaac: How far into the creation of a song do you share any of it with
anyone? Who would you play it for? Would it be a chorus, a verse and chorus, or
a complete song?
Sue: Not generally but I did write a song w/ my guitar guy
on this new CD.....
Isaac: How much do you let others "mess around with" one of your new
songs?
Sue: I'm working on that ;)!
Isaac: Do you have to be a tortured soul to be a singer-songwriter?
Sue: Yes. (My mom wishes it wasn't so but songs about puppy
dogs and rainbows don't seem to
grab people as well, aye?)
Isaac: Are your songs strictly autobiographical or are they embroidered autobiography?
Sue: Mostly auto- some stitched together from observation.
Isaac: How long does it take you to process your emotions and turn them
into songs?
Sue: Depends on the emotion- the title song Perfect Chaos of
the new CD took me about 6 months to finally get the words and feel I was
looking for.....if it's a really strong emotion, I've written songs in 15 minutes...
Isaac: The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Sue: To follow your truth, heart and not give up.
Isaac: Give Shout-outs [I sent to Sue the word Shut-outs by accident, oops!J] to your family and
friends.-
Sue: I hope you mean "Shout-outs"?! I don't want
to shut-out anyone!! Shout out to Tamra Engle-
musician -chick-a-licious in Berkeley who put me up on my tour this summer, as
well as Vacaville Bob and Corday in LA!!! Whoop!!
Isaac: Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
Sue: My second CD aforementioned....I am in the studio as we speak listening to the final mixing - my goal is to have it released in November so-please do stay tuned!!
Grazie
~sq
sue quigley
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