Sue Ray
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Sue Ray

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | INDIE

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | INDIE
Band Americana Country

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"Sue Ray "Red Roses""

When talk up Brisbane's music I'm not sure that alt-country is necessarily the first thing that jumps to mind. Maybe it should be though - beyond just the Gin Club there are just a bunch of really fine sounding folks singing lonesome country tunes. You've got your Bang Bang Boss Kelly, Silent Feature Era, Halfway, Texas Tea, Jacob S. Harris (and a bunch more I'm certainly leaving out - sorry), but don't let's forget Sue Ray who's been singing and songwriting as long as any of them. Her latest album is full of bittersweetness and lots of trad country violin, banjo, mandolin and double-bass, Magoo has done a very nice job of producing it too. Like I said, I'm not sure whether this kind of music out of Brisbane gets appropriate recognition and if I had to pick one lady in particular deserving of greater recognition, I think it would be Sue Ray. - 4ZZZ Radio


"Sue Ray "Red Roses""

When talk up Brisbane's music I'm not sure that alt-country is necessarily the first thing that jumps to mind. Maybe it should be though - beyond just the Gin Club there are just a bunch of really fine sounding folks singing lonesome country tunes. You've got your Bang Bang Boss Kelly, Silent Feature Era, Halfway, Texas Tea, Jacob S. Harris (and a bunch more I'm certainly leaving out - sorry), but don't let's forget Sue Ray who's been singing and songwriting as long as any of them. Her latest album is full of bittersweetness and lots of trad country violin, banjo, mandolin and double-bass, Magoo has done a very nice job of producing it too. Like I said, I'm not sure whether this kind of music out of Brisbane gets appropriate recognition and if I had to pick one lady in particular deserving of greater recognition, I think it would be Sue Ray. - 4ZZZ Radio


"Sue Ray live at The Beatle Bar Brisbane"

The night starts with Sue Ray, wearing a rose in her hair and her heart on her sleeve. Hers is an intimate, soulful take on country-folk, backed with Sue’s own acoustic guitar and the embellishments of a violin player. The real drawcard, however, is her voice, which could soften the heart of Dick Cheney. - Rave Magazine


"Sue Ray live at The Old Bar Melbourne"

Sue Ray opened the show with a mesmerising performance. In between effortlessly breezing through folk tune after tune, Ray’s subtle humour had the cosy venue in hysterics. You could’ve heard a pin drop during the heartfelt Bliss but it was Best Beware that showcased Ray’s vocal and songwriting ability. - Unpaved Magazine


"Sue Ray album "Red Roses" review"

Whilst Sue Ray's excellent 2008 mini-album debut "Best Beware" was quite the accidental experience,apparently captured after a few drinks with no initial intent of release, her debut album "Red Roses" is a well thought out affair by contrast.

Confidently opening the album with the lyrics "There's a storm in a cup/And it's drinking me up" on the pretty swing of "Shake It Off", Ray cleverly reworks a cliche and though it creates the brief idea that country chestnuts will litter "Red Roses", she quickly sets about creating a distinctly individual country folk path for herself.

Teaming up with salubrious man about town Ben Salter on "Another Letter", the pair trade call-and-response verses in plodding country style before weaving in and out of each other's vocal. Sporadically spaced with beautiful lead guitar embellishments, it may epitomise country though Ray's unhurried songwriting style and crystal clear voice boost the method from standard to bop-along brilliant. In "Soldier's Son", Ray plays the role of a land-dwelling war widow faced with being the man of the house, and is the album's sorrowful highlight. Styled simplistically on a quiet base of acoustic guitar and banjo with violin dolefully communicating the character's heartbreak, it also shows Ray's ability to create a dynamic and interesting track listing through songwriting rather than production. Though it could do with a reshuffle considering the listener is too often jolted between a beautifully morose ending and the uplift of a lively intro, this is merely a minor grievance.

Recorded predominately live with minimal overdubs at Magoo's Applewood Studio, Ray's bittersweet lyrics have room to fully resonate on "Red Roses" amongst complementary band arrangements that never threaten to be the focal point. The album is a highly enjoyable effort from a craftswoman whose strong voice is as pleasing as her simplistically solid compositions.
Tyler McLoughlan
- Time Off Magazine


"Sue Ray album "Red Roses" review"

Whilst Sue Ray's excellent 2008 mini-album debut "Best Beware" was quite the accidental experience,apparently captured after a few drinks with no initial intent of release, her debut album "Red Roses" is a well thought out affair by contrast.

Confidently opening the album with the lyrics "There's a storm in a cup/And it's drinking me up" on the pretty swing of "Shake It Off", Ray cleverly reworks a cliche and though it creates the brief idea that country chestnuts will litter "Red Roses", she quickly sets about creating a distinctly individual country folk path for herself.

Teaming up with salubrious man about town Ben Salter on "Another Letter", the pair trade call-and-response verses in plodding country style before weaving in and out of each other's vocal. Sporadically spaced with beautiful lead guitar embellishments, it may epitomise country though Ray's unhurried songwriting style and crystal clear voice boost the method from standard to bop-along brilliant. In "Soldier's Son", Ray plays the role of a land-dwelling war widow faced with being the man of the house, and is the album's sorrowful highlight. Styled simplistically on a quiet base of acoustic guitar and banjo with violin dolefully communicating the character's heartbreak, it also shows Ray's ability to create a dynamic and interesting track listing through songwriting rather than production. Though it could do with a reshuffle considering the listener is too often jolted between a beautifully morose ending and the uplift of a lively intro, this is merely a minor grievance.

Recorded predominately live with minimal overdubs at Magoo's Applewood Studio, Ray's bittersweet lyrics have room to fully resonate on "Red Roses" amongst complementary band arrangements that never threaten to be the focal point. The album is a highly enjoyable effort from a craftswoman whose strong voice is as pleasing as her simplistically solid compositions.
Tyler McLoughlan
- Time Off Magazine


"Sue Ray "Best Beware" Album Review"

SUE RAY
Best Beware
(Junkship Records)
Short and sweet. Both of these words can be used to describe this album, but only one of them can be used to describe Sue Ray herself. For many Brisbane artists, it can often take a little while to release a debut album, but when they’re as good as this one we’d be prepared to wait twice as long.
Recorded and produced by The Troubadour’s proprietor Jamie Trevaskis, who clearly knows not only how to run a cracking establishment but also how to commandeer a mixing desk, Best Beware is a heavily textured piece of work, weaving together various stringed things, piano, melodica and of course, the lady’s sweet and beautifully smooth voice. The tapestry that edges out of the Junkship loom is a dark, soft velvet, or possibly velour, rich and threaded with well constructed production choices.
Opening with ‘I’m Coming Round’, an archetypal haunting ballad that evokes images of devils and heartbreak, Sue gets right to the core of what country music is about: being down, and making sure the source knows about it. Follower ‘Last Cigarette’ has a lighter tone, but focuses on similar matter, with mild narrative similarities to ‘Piano Man’: a one-sided conversation between musician and bar patron. The piano-led ‘Away From Here’, with melodica accompaniment, shakes up the guitar-heavy album, with whistling wind included, provoking more loneliness than you can shake an empty room at.
The standout tune is the title track, a song that sounds like Satan in tight pants and dusty boots coming to town – brooding stuff. The only downfall of Best Beware is its short length, but hopefully this is just a small taste of more to come.
Tal Wallace
Timeoff Magazine
July 2008 - Timeoff Magazine Australia


"Album of the week for Sue Ray"

Red Roses (Sue Ray Music)

With its bright, bold harmonica intro and jaunty melodic quality, the opening track of Brisbane singer/songwriter Ray’s second album, Shake It Off, is in many ways classic Sue Ray: an engaging instrumental composition paired with often deceptively dark lyrics. "There’s a storm in a cup and it’s drinking me up dear," she sings. "Could you maybe pass the salt? There’s a lemon in my eyes and smoke up in the sky / And I’m having trouble keeping up." Back in 2007, I happened upon Ray playing a show at the now defunct Troubadour and was utterly spellbound. She has the sort of rare voice - deep, dark, gorgeously emotive, and molasses-rich that stirs something within the listener and never quite lets go. She gets under your skin and stays there. The following year, Ray released her debut album. The appropriately named Best Beware was a wonderful slice of lo-fi alt-country and its follow-up, Red Roses, builds on the immense promise of that record.

These 12 songs are evocative, sometimes quietly playful, often sad, almost always wryly knowing and impressively well crafted. Many deal with heartbreak, loss, longing or love gone awry - ‘Love Evermore’, ‘Wish I Was’ and ‘Red Roses’, for example - and showcase Ray’s torch singer vocals to perfection. Whether she is inhabiting the persona of a woman scornful and angry at the loss of her husband (‘Soldier’s Son’) - on which she lets loose with lines like: "This soldier’s son is gonna need a dad / The war was won but there’s no one in my bed / And the well is nearly empty and the milk is turning sour / Guess I’m all the man this house has now" - or reflecting on the letters she writes a lover in her head (‘Another Letter’) - "Wrote you another letter in my head / It’s a shame you’ll never know just what it said" - one thing remains impressively consistent: her heart-rending voice and undeniable gifts as a songwriter. If you’re a fan of the likes of Brandi Carlile or Laura Cantrell, give Sue Ray a listen; chances are you’ll emerge from the experience an unequivocal convert to her passionately original brand of alt-country.

(Heidi Maier)
Tom Magazine
September 2011 - Tom Magazine Australia


"Sue Ray CD Launch"

The album launch of Sue Ray’s mini-album (seven tracks) Best Beware was definitely not a mini affair. Her supporters whooped, clapped and called out words of encouragement to the multi-talented musician. An obvious strong country element was evident but this did not overtake from her performance, it gave her a uniquely identifiable edge. Sue played with her band for the first three songs of her set; this gave a great representation of her sound, and we had the pleasure of hearing her solo as well. Not only was she evidently talented on the guitar, she was impressive on harmonica and her voice was smooth, open and beautifully intoxicating. Somewhat Jewel-like, I specifically enjoyed her cover version of Save the Last Dance for Me and her new songs Best Beware and Last Cigarette . Sue Ray’s complete style was crisp, clean, vibrant and fun. - fasterlouder.com.au article by Julie-Anne Ellis


"Sue Ray CD Launch"

The album launch of Sue Ray’s mini-album (seven tracks) Best Beware was definitely not a mini affair. Her supporters whooped, clapped and called out words of encouragement to the multi-talented musician. An obvious strong country element was evident but this did not overtake from her performance, it gave her a uniquely identifiable edge. Sue played with her band for the first three songs of her set; this gave a great representation of her sound, and we had the pleasure of hearing her solo as well. Not only was she evidently talented on the guitar, she was impressive on harmonica and her voice was smooth, open and beautifully intoxicating. Somewhat Jewel-like, I specifically enjoyed her cover version of Save the Last Dance for Me and her new songs Best Beware and Last Cigarette . Sue Ray’s complete style was crisp, clean, vibrant and fun. - fasterlouder.com.au article by Julie-Anne Ellis


"Mardi's Saturday Tracks - Sue Ray"

I have not traditionally been a big fan of country music.
I am learning however, that there is a big difference between really good country music and what I think country music sounds like. Sue Ray is my prime example of a great country singer / songwriter.

I first saw Sue Ray about three years ago. Sue walked on stage and my jaw hit the ground. Her voice was so strong and confident. Her guitar playing is excellent and her songs heartbreaking. A consummate performer.

I am always impressed with how consistently good her live performances are. Sue’s mini album Best Beware, released at the end of 2007, is a lovely reflection of her music and style. She also plays most of the instruments on it including guitar, piano, mandolin, and tambourine, and knowing Sue Ray, probably at the same time.

After cutting her teeth deep in the country music scene of Toowoomba, Sue Ray moved to Brisbane and has diversified a little adding rock and blues styles to her sound. She currently plays solo as well as in the bands Sugartown and Legion of Mary.

Mardi Lumsden - ABC Brisbane Apr 19th,2008 www.abc.net.au


"Mardi's Saturday Tracks - Sue Ray"

I have not traditionally been a big fan of country music.
I am learning however, that there is a big difference between really good country music and what I think country music sounds like. Sue Ray is my prime example of a great country singer / songwriter.

I first saw Sue Ray about three years ago. Sue walked on stage and my jaw hit the ground. Her voice was so strong and confident. Her guitar playing is excellent and her songs heartbreaking. A consummate performer.

I am always impressed with how consistently good her live performances are. Sue’s mini album Best Beware, released at the end of 2007, is a lovely reflection of her music and style. She also plays most of the instruments on it including guitar, piano, mandolin, and tambourine, and knowing Sue Ray, probably at the same time.

After cutting her teeth deep in the country music scene of Toowoomba, Sue Ray moved to Brisbane and has diversified a little adding rock and blues styles to her sound. She currently plays solo as well as in the bands Sugartown and Legion of Mary.

Mardi Lumsden - ABC Brisbane Apr 19th,2008 www.abc.net.au


Discography

2008 - Debut mini album titled "Best Beware"
2011 - Full length album titled "Red Roses"

Photos

Bio

Sue Ray has been performing professionally for over 15 years, and in that time, she has released two critically acclaimed albums, Red Roses (2011, Produced & engineered by Magoo - Powderfinger / Kate Miller-Heidke) and Best Beware (2008, Produced & engineered by Jamie Trevaskis - Nathan Hollywood / Tom Cooney)

Acknowledgements
2012 - Nominee for "Most Popular Female Artist" in the QMusic & Courier Mail's People's choice awards
2013 - Nominee for "Most Promising New Artist" in the Deadly Awards
2012 – Nominee for Best Country Album for “Red Roses” in the AIR Independent Music Awards
2012 – Queensland Music Awards – Winner of "Best Indigenous" section & finalist in "Best Country" & "Best Regional"
2012 – Grant McLennan Fellowship finalist
2011 – Winner of the “Breakthrough Contemporary Emerging Indigenous Artist Recording Initiative”
2011 – Bigsound Music Conference Brisbane - Showcase
2009 – Billy Thorpe Recording Initiative - Finalist
2009 – Queensland Music Awards – Finalist – two songs in two categories

Tours & supports
Luka Bloom, Dan Sultan, Busby Marou, Darren Hanlon, Nashville Pussy (USA), Megan Washington, Graveyard Train, Blanche DuBois, The Kill Devil Hills, The Gin Club, Gatlin Elms (USA), Halfway, Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side, The Wilson Pickers, Kira Puru & The Bruise, Rattlehand, Gina Jeffreys, Mexico City, LJ Hill, James Blundell, The Apartments, The Purple Hearts, The Immigrant Union

Press
“She has the sort of rare voice - deep, dark, gorgeously emotive, and molasses-rich that stirs something within the listener and never quite lets go. She gets under your skin and stays there. If you’re a fan of the likes of Brandi Carlile or Laura Cantrell, give Sue Ray a listen; chances are you’ll emerge from the experience an unequivocal convert to her passionately original brand of alt-country”
4 1/2 Stars, “Red Roses” 2011 - Heidi Maier - Tom Magazine (AUS)

“A hugely impressive debut album from Queensland songwriter Sue Ray, Red Roses, is an alt-country delight of the kind that will sit neatly among those Neko Case and Cowboy Junkies albums on your shelf”
“Red Roses” 2011 - Noel Mengel, Chief Music Writer - The Courier Mail (AUS)

“Short and sweet. Both of these words can be used to describe this album, but only one of them can be used to describe Sue Ray herself. For many Brisbane artists, it can often take a little while to release a debut album, but when they’re as good as this one, we’d be prepared to wait twice as long”
“Best Beware” 2008 - Tal Wallace - Time Off Magazine (AUS)

“Hers is an intimate, soulful take on country-folk. The real drawcard, however, is her voice, which could soften the heart of Dick Cheney” Matt Thrower - Rave Magazine (AUS)

“Sue walked on stage and my jaw hit the ground. Her voice was so strong and confident. Her guitar playing is excellent and her songs heartbreaking. A consummate performer”
Mardi Lumsden - 612 ABC Radio (AUS)

“Sue Ray opened the show with a mesmerising performance. Ray’s subtle humour had the cosy venue in hysterics. You could’ve heard a pin drop during the heartfelt Whispers In The Dark but it was Best Beware that showcased Ray’s vocal and song writing ability”
Madeleine O’Gorman - Unpaved Magazine Melbourne (AUS)

Radio
Medium rotation -“Soldier’s Son” & “Red Roses” - JJJ, 4ZZZ, ABC 612, PBS, 3RRR, 98.9FM
Medium to high rotation -“Shake It Off” - 98.9FM, 4ZZZ, Wow FM 100.7, 87.6/88FM, 103.3Fm Gouldburn,
2YOUFM Tamworth and over 40 other regional stations Australia wide.

Charts
Top 20 - 4ZZZ charts for five weeks running, 2008
Top 20 - JJJ Unearthed Roots Charts, 2008
Top 100 - listed in top 100 tracks of 2008 for 4ZZZ, 2008

Festivals
2012 - AWME World Music Conference, Melbourne
2012 - AMA Conference, Nashville, USA
2011 - Bigsound Music Conference
2011 - Woodford Folk Festival
2012 & 2009 - Tamworth Country Music Festival