Susy Blue
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Susy Blue

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Alternative Folk

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"Live Review - Susy Blue @ Fitzroy Workers Club 11 August 2013"

Last Sunday was one for the books as I’d never seen the Workers Club packed out. It was wall to wall with groups of friends, families who’d taken their little ones and also from overhearing some of the crowd, people’s grandparents also came along for the gig which was awesome as I do love seeing a mixed crowd enjoying music!

When Susy and her band starting setting up the energy rose as the 6 piece packed out the stage with equipment. Everyone started to huddle for the prime spots which included front row seating on cushions and chairs and the mid standing section and the corner pockets were also prime real estate.


The vibe was electric and the music selected prior to Susy’s set was programmed to suit her style, which was another well-planned part of today’s gig. When all of the band stepped to the stage for the second time I thought the time was nigh however I was wrong as they were just loading up the area with more equipment and that's when I thought ‘this gig is going to exceed my expectations’!!

A few more swinging tunes later and then with a hand in the air by the bands drummers it was on! Susy and her group who I must say were looking sharp opened with Middle Eastern sounds on their track Murder Bolero which merged smoothly into their 50’s Rock n Roll styled Gone Now and within these first tracks the talents of each individual band member became apparent.

The music continued to shift and blend through different genre flavours and we were treated to Always Alone with it’s warm keys over a Do-Wop style and Baby I'm Bored stepped it up with a crazy little saxophone line!

Mid song banter from Susy and the band was fun and I always like it when the artists gives an anecdote to lead in a song as it connects with the audience and makes them a part of the gig. Another element that I liked about the day was hearing the bands breakdowns and quirky bits in the arrangements as they were unexpected and I just dig how those aspects have formed a major part of their sound.

Cheer The Fuck Up and Please Don’t Kill showed a humorous side of the group and I’d been waiting all week to hear the bands latest single Wish In My Dish live and with each song my anticipation grew! Towards the end of the bands set I kept thinking the song would be played however it wasn’t, but all was not lost as the Susy switched it up and decided to play the music video for the song.

Playing the video made the day unique and although I’d seen it before, the Samurai Jack style animation really came to life on the projector screen, and those dancing Totem Poles, classic!

Final sum up: Lyrically there was no clichés from Susy and the band. The way Susy delivers her vocals is truly breathtaking, the band are musicians at the top of their game and as an audience member I walked away thoroughly entertained by the cross genre menacing sounds of Susy Blue!! - Little Boom Music


"WISH IN MY DISH (SINGLE) SUSY BLUE"

This latest eff ort from Melbourne out?t Susy Blue is catchy, whimsical and has a calypso jiggle that had me tapping my toes. Susan Hull's (piano, vocals) in?uences range from classical and jazz to folk and gypsy and what results from the melting pot is something I haven’t heard before
but want to hear more of. Wish In My Dish will feature on Susy Blue’s
upcoming album set for release in early 2014. This is new, bold and different and de?nitely worth a listen.

Wish In My Dish Launch – The Workers
Club – Sunday August 11 with Elephant
Eyes. - NMIT Campus Rap


"Susy Blue - Wish In My Dish"

More treats from Melbourne's thriving music scene. Susy Blue are actually a rather large musical collective rather than a solo artist, although it does appear that the instigator is vocalist and instrumentalist Susan Hull, so we assume she's the Susy in question. The summery indie/pop/folk of 'Wish In My Dish' might pilfer some of its melody, but that doesn't prevent it being a super sweet treat.
- The Sound of Confusion


"Blue For You"

It's just what we need - a summer song in winter. Suffering from the winter blues? Check out Susy Blue and her sparkling new single, Wish In My Dish (www.susyblue.net). More infectious than the flu, it is, as Susy says, "a happy celebration of being young and free … a kooky stream of consciousness flow". Was it as much fun to record as it sounds? "Yes," Susy exclaims, "we started with stomps and handclaps … how can you go wrong?" Producer Shane O'Mara then added clinking jewellery and flute key slaps. "And we even recorded his crazy little dogs barking." The song's catchy title is simply the start of the fun. "It was just a random stream of consciousness ramble," Susy says. "I was doing FAWM (February Album Writing Month), an internet forum where you write/upload a demo of a new song every two days. I was writing in my garden and there were all these dandelions floating in the air. I think one landed on a dog bowl near the pond. I've always blown on them and made a wish, so to have so many floating through the beautiful summery air made me feel happy and hopeful."

Wish In My Dish is from Susy Blue's forthcoming second album, which follows 2011's Curly Girl. The difficult second album? "No difficulties at all," Susy smiles. Shane, she says, is "hilarious", adding, "I was so determined to maintain control over our first album but, after working with Shane, I think it's way better to have another person, provided that they're great and you like them and trust their taste."

So what's Susy's all-time favourite "happy" song? "Oh, that's a tough question, can I have two? Over the last couple of years, it's been Little Joy's Brand New Start; more long-term, The Specials' A Message to You, Rudy." And her favourite sad song? "Many Tori Amos songs guided me through my sullen adolescence, the most rainy day one being Horses off Boys for Pele." Susy Blue is also a band. "It refers to me as well as the band," she explains. "Susan Hull is my real - and boring - name." As Susan Hull, she studied classical flute at the Queensland Conservatorium, where she was inspired by Emma Dean, Jackie Marshal and Katie Noonan. "I was terrified by the prospect of singing publicly, let alone something as personal as a song I had written," Susy says. "These amazing ladies had amazing voices, personas, stage presence, wrote great songs and totally did their own thing - a huge inspiration."

Susy was blonde, but now she's a brunette. Do blondes have more fun? "I suppose I was younger with blonde hair and definitely wilder, but I think I can only blame my lack of wisdom and responsibility for that rather than my hair! Though there's not much more wisdom or responsibility going on now - I can't even commit to getting a dog, which would make me insanely happy, or a part-time job." Susy was part of the FReeZA Central mentoring program. "It was great," she says. "My mentor was Suzannah Espie, who is a legend, so it was a privilege to have her support. And I made some great friends and contacts." Susy also has plenty of supportive fans, including her mum, who sold a Susy Blue CD to her dentist. So what's been Susy's favourite description of the Susy Blue sound? "Songs full of light and flight, that are free, fun and on the fringe, yet nestled in pop overtones." Yep, that sums it up nicely. Susy Blue launches Wish In My Dish with a special afternoon show at the Workers Club on Sunday, 11 August. - Jeff Jenkins - Living in the Land of Oz


"Susy Blue - Wish in My Dish review"

This one sure is cute and it's done with a continuous parade of tricks to keep you guessing. It'll likely be still stuck in my head when I hit the sack tonight too.

Dave Ruby Howe, triple j triplej - Triple J


"Music: Nipples, wishes, dinosaurs and sweet stuff"

In other news, this month sees the release of “Wish In My Dish”, the new single from Susy Blue (pictured above), a Melbourne based artist who describes her genre as “alt-folk cabaret pop”. It makes me want to tap dance on the roof of a moving car whilst hoola-hooping and wearing an elaborate head-dress featuring pineapples. She’s launching the show at The Workers’ Club in Melbourne on 11th August. - The Shake


"Single Review - Susy Blue ‘Wish In My Dish’"

This latest single from Melbourne’s Susy Blue is exceptional! Lyrically the song presents the quirks of a nursery rhyme that weave their way over the Calypso style drums and guitars and the melody is simple and very effective. The twist in the end drum break is genius and it’s very much a signature additive that the band likes to throw into their songs which makes this and all previous releases quite unique!

Final words: Wish In My Dish will get you swinging your arms and clicking your fingers quicker than a Beatnik in a Gidget movie! - Little Boom Music


"Susy Blue - Circus and Zululand"

The latest single from cabaret mistress of ceremonies Susy Blue (Susan Hull) Circus is a carny gem. Think circus clowns, fairy floss, popcorn, balloons and a tent. Circus is fun and catchy. Blue’s voice is light and one that may take time to get used to.

It's all pretty fresh, unique, and you can hear some nice influences from folk and jazz.

The second track on this single release, Zululand, has a more relaxed vocal style and mood.

Ms Blue is one to watch and there's plenty of folks who will be looking forward to her album.
- the dwarf


"Curly Girl Album Review, July 2011"

As soon as the first track Moose Hooves opens, you can tell you’re in for a different experience. It shows the cabaret influences on the album and sounds like a mishmash of polka and some kind of gypsy folk song, all delivered in Susy’s peculiar falsetto. It was, in fact, inspired by Dr Seuss’ Thidwick The Big-Hearted Moose, showing the whimsical side to the former cabaret mistress of ceremonies. Second track Burning Star is a dreamy country number that’s one of the standout tracks on the album. Seed follows in a similar fashion, a sweet drawling number that sounds like it belongs on a jukebox in a ‘50s country and western movie.

There’s an eclectic collection of instruments used on the album – everything from cello, banjo and ukulele to toy piano, glockenspiel and even pots and pans. However, the most impressive instrument on the album is Susy’s voice – even on tracks like Pathetic Little Man, a tune about putting an ex-lover in their place, it sounds clear, sweet and poignant.

It matches well with the quirky nature of the album. It’s a rather unusual collection of songs that inexplicably sound like they naturally belong together. Although cabaret folk is an odd niche to create, it suits Susy Blue’s style perfectly.

TARA LLOYD - X-Press Magazine (Perth)


""Inspired performances of playful folk and sultry jazz" Susy Blue EP 2008"

Where other releases in the contemporary jazz genre struggle to find energy in their subdued, serious performances (see: Norah Jones), the songs on Susy Blue’s self-titled EP are buoyed by an injection of playful vigour. On Sigh No More, Blue appropriates a Shakespearean poem into a jaunty piano piece; and on folk-y closing track, Side Of The Road, she even changes her inflection to a tongue-in-cheek Missy Higgins-style drawl. The string section consistently produces impressive arrangements that augment but never dictate the feel of the track. There’s great versatility on display, with lounge-jazz sitting comfortably beside orchestral folk-pop and Blue’s voice is no less impressive than other jazz singers (so far as I can tell). Whilst I praise these songs for sounding lively, the compositions themselves aren’t particularly spectacular. Nonetheless, the overall project still manages to maintain interest on the back of inspired arrangements and great energy.

MATT HICKEY - Rave Magazine (Brisbane)


"Susy Blue – Burning Star/ Moose Hooves (2011 Single)"

Melbourne’s Susy Blue should really be a lot more famous. I’m not blowing smoke up the proverbial, but Susy Blue has (from a writer’s point of view) a cute, offbeat, colourful voice and persona and (from, say, a music programmer at a major radio station’s point of view) a totally Kate Nash/ Eliza Doolittle-esque flavour that is unique without being alienating. You gotta cover all bases, kids.

Single “Burning Star” introduces newbies to Susy’s bouncy, Kate Miller-Heidke type vocals. Although rooting herself in a “cabaret folk” jazz sort of niche, Susy and her musical cohorts manages to meld scores (is there a pun there?) of genres together in a delicious musical milkshake. Om nom nom nom. Setting for a sort of country jazz-swing sound here, the drums are jazzy as all hell (brush, brush, brush) and the addition of the banjo makes it sound like a lovely barn waltz. It’s so warm and welcoming; a little saccharine but very cute and lovely.

B-side “Moose Hooves” is more festive; like a gypsy rabble with what sounds like a glockenspiel breakdown halfway through. Susy’s very distinctive, high and friendly voice sails beautifully about like a…sail. Get into it.
- AU Review


"Susy Blue gig review, March 2011 at the Grace Darling"

“…it was the bubbly and downright fantastic performance conducted by the pint sized mistress of cabaret folk, Susy Blue, that truly made this a night of excellent live music. The set began with an a capella intro to Polly Wolly Doodle by Susy Blue and her two “backing bitches” showing from the outset that truly polished and skilled musicians were commanding the stage.

The performance quickly launched into the first of the two songs featured on the double A-side, Moose Hooves with Susy Blue on her knees playing the carnival-like tune on a toy piano. This began her exhibition of broad musical skill expanding to include her girlish yet versatile vocals and flute, that carried her on to the second tune, Burning Star, an almost country jazz fusion with hints of Irish folk that expresses “how evolution blows her mind,” and gave the opportunity for some inspiring jazz solos by the array of amazing musicians that made up her band.

The set went on to include a variety of songs that showed Susy’s unique ability to concoct tunes that blend musical styles from jazz to Hungarian folk to a sea shanty and a murder-bolero that Susy claimed she had to make up because she hasn’t “killed anyone…yet.” Charming the punters with her vivacious banter and her strong and professional command of the stage and her entourage seemed almost effortless for Susy Blue, needless to say we were all left wanting more of the cheeky songstress’s magic even after she indulged us with the admittedly rehearsed encore to loud cheers. Miss Blue certainly wet our musical appetites for her coming CD launch, Curly Girl, which I for one will be attending as a newly initiated groupie.”
- Paper-Deer


""Bizarrely adorable folk" - Curly Girl album review July 2011"

With Curly Girl, Susan Hull has delivered an album that, unlike more formulaic folk, wouldn’t make very suitable background music. The combination of odd yet familiar sounds keeps your attention entirely tuned in. Opening track Moose Hooves, based on Doctor Seuss’s Thidwick The Big-Hearted Moose, sets the bar for the album’s instrumentation, with glockenspiel, pots and pans, banjo, ukulele, pan flute and toy piano. Its beat and tone change constantly and intriguingly. Burning Star is more traditional, with sweet traces of country and ’50s pop; Pathetic Little Man has attitudes reminiscent of R&B plus some simple and very pleasant instrumentation. Circus shows Susan Hull’s melodious versatility, with a 1920s French crooner sound, also present in Soap, which abandons all but drums and a (real) piano. Curly Girl is certainly an adorable, entertaining and clever album not to be missed.

BONNIE GARDINER - Rave Magazine (Brisbane)


"Circus single review, Nov 2011"

Local “nouveau folk” artist Susy Blue applies her lovely honey tones to a twirling tune reminiscent of BasiaBulat’s Little Waltz. Glock notes tinkle like a music box while Susy paints vivid pictures of crying clowns and sick elephants, and a corrupt ringleader who treats his audience members as “pawns for profit” – a grim and gruesome world delivered in the dreamiest of songs.
- Beat Magazine (Melbourne)


"SUSY BLUE – Susy Blue, 2008"

Inspired performances of playful folk and sultry jazz.?
Where other releases in the contemporary jazz genre struggle to find energy in their subdued, serious performances (see: Norah Jones), the songs on Susy Blue’s self-titled EP are buoyed by an injection of playful vigour. On Sigh No More, Blue appropriates a Shakespearean poem into a jaunty piano piece; and on folk-y closing track, Side Of The Road, she even changes her inflection to a tongue-in-cheek Missy Higgins-style drawl. The string section consistently produces impressive arrangements that augment but never dictate the feel of the track. There’s great versatility on display, with lounge-jazz sitting comfortably beside orchestral folk-pop and Blue’s voice is no less impressive than other jazz singers (so far as I can tell). Whilst I praise these songs for sounding lively, the compositions themselves aren’t particularly spectacular. Nonetheless, the overall project still manages to maintain interest on the back of inspired arrangements and great energy. ?
MATT HICKEY - Rave Magazine


"Susy Blue – Burning Star/ Moose Hooves (2011 Single)"

Melbourne’s Susy Blue should really be a lot more famous. I’m not blowing smoke up the proverbial, but Susy Blue has (from a writer’s point of view) a cute, offbeat, colourful voice and persona and (from, say, a music programmer at a major radio station’s point of view) a totally Kate Nash/ Eliza Doolittle-esque flavour that is unique without being alienating. You gotta cover all bases, kids.

Single “Burning Star” introduces newbies to Susy’s bouncy, Kate Miller-Heidke type vocals. Although rooting herself in a “cabaret folk” jazz sort of niche, Susy and her musical cohorts manages to meld scores (is there a pun there?) of genres together in a delicious musical milkshake. Om nom nom nom. Setting for a sort of country jazz-swing sound here, the drums are jazzy as all hell (brush, brush, brush) and the addition of the banjo makes it sound like a lovely barn waltz. It’s so warm and welcoming; a little saccharine but very cute and lovely.

B-side “Moose Hooves” is more festive; like a gypsy rabble with what sounds like a glockenspiel breakdown halfway through. Susy’s very distinctive, high and friendly voice sails beautifully about like a…sail. Get into it. - The AU Review


"Susy Blue gig review, 26th March 2011 at the Grace Darling"

...However, regardless of the promising talent that came before it was the bubbly and downright fantastic performance conducted by the pint sized mistress of cabaret folk, Susy Blue, that truly made this a night of excellent live music. The set began with an a capella intro to Polly Wolly Doodle by Susy Blue and her two “backing bitches” showing from the outset that truly polished and skilled musicians were commanding the stage.

The performance quickly launched into the first of the two songs featured on the double A-side, Moose Hooves with Susy Blue on her knees playing the carnival-like tune on a toy piano. This began her exhibition of broad musical skill expanding to include her girlish yet versatile vocals and flute, that carried her on to the second tune, Burning Star, an almost country jazz fusion with hints of Irish folk that expresses “how evolution blows her mind,” and gave the opportunity for some inspiring jazz solos by the array of amazing musicians that made up her band.

The set went on to include a variety of songs that showed Susy’s unique ability to concoct tunes that blend musical styles from jazz to Hungarian folk to a sea shanty and a murder-bolero that Susy claimed she had to make up because she hasn’t “killed anyone…yet.” Charming the punters with her vivacious banter and her strong and professional command of the stage and her entourage seemed almost effortless for Susy Blue, needless to say we were all left wanting more of the cheeky songstress’s magic even after she indulged us with the admittedly rehearsed encore to loud cheers. Miss Blue certainly wet our musical appetites for her coming CD launch, Curly Girl, which I for one will be attending as a newly initiated groupie. - Paper-Deer


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

Songstress Susy Blue creates her very own whimsical blend of shadowy alt-folk. With vintage vocals and honeyed harmonies, Susy Blue’s signature mercurial sounds are woven with anything from classical styles to calypso, trip-hop, noveau-folk, 60’s pop, soul, old-world jazz, neo-klezmer and surf-rock to fashion songs that are fun, free and on the fringe.

Hailing from a conservatorium studied musical background, Susy Hull captains the mighty six piece of talented instrumentalists. Her quirky tunes feature a cacophony of musical influences ranging from classical, jazz to folk and gypsy stylings and draw noticeable inspirations from Fiona Apple, Joanna Newsom and Bjork.

Critics and music lovers alike have recognized Susy Blue’s unique style and timeless voice. Her 2011 debut album Curly Girl received critical acclaim, such as “an adorable, entertaining and clever album not to be missed”, as well as extensive local and national airplay, including Triple J and ABC Radio National. Performing at festivals such as Woodford, Apollo Bay, Darebin Music Feast and the APRA Song Summit, Susy Blue’s live show features a talented array of band members and is renown for being cheeky, unexpected and entertaining.

Susy Blue’s sophomore album ‘Nobody’s Somebody,’ funded by the Australia Council for the Arts and Arts Victoria, produced by Shane O’Mara (Tim Rogers, Paul Kelly, Lisa Miller) is due for release early 2014. The first single off the album, kooky calypso pop number ‘Wish In My Dish,’ has seen national airplay and acclaim such as being “new, bold and different, and definitely worth a listen.”