Suzanne Monroe
Austin, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
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Press
Suzanne Monroe, “Face to the Mirror.” Something between a full-length album and an EP, the seven-song debut of this local singer-songwriter originally from Rochester, N.Y., sets personal lyrics to atmospheric arrangements. Fans of Sarah McLachlan might find some similar ground here, though this is more an early step from an artist still finding her way than evidence of one who has arrived. Monroe goes heavy on the drama on several of these songs, something she apparently fleshes out further in a live show that includes interpretive dance. Release show tonight (Tuesday, June 30) at Ground Floor Theatre. Here’s the track “Friend”: - Austin 360
For music fans following the Austin music scene, Texas blues and outlaw country is what they typically find. On closer inspection, they discover there are a myriad of paths musicians head down in creating their own music. Punk, metal, folk, glam, psych, hip-hip, electronic, progressive, math, industrial all coexist in the "Live Music Capital." Residual Kid, The Black Angels, Spoon and countless others have proven Texas music means a wider variety of sounds than it used to.
Austin is the kind of place that attracted ambient folk artist, Suzanne Monroe. She is releasing her debut studio recording, "Face the Mirror" June 30 at the Ground Floor Theatre in East Austin. The choice of venue is appropriate as Monroe incorporates an element of performance art into her live show, wearing various masks meant to represent different aspects of the human spirit.
Monroe's music reflects deep, personal, emotional experiences like the premature death of her father when she was only eighteen. Monroe cites Celtic and American folklore, jazz and and rock as musical influences.
She encouraged us to listen to "Four Tons" from the new album citing the track as her favorite piece. After previewing the record we tend to agree. She spoke with us about the song, "I was living in a really abusive and unpredictable living situation with my father and my step mother...she made me feel like I didn't belong. I wrote the song as a reflection of my feeling about life at the time..."
The silver lining for Monroe is the adversity she faced as a child has transformed into a collection of heartfelt and beautiful songs. The Rochester, New York native has neatly pivoted from family hardship to creating beautiful art. -
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
“Music keeps me in the moment! Music is my life’s ambition. I ask myself; what would life be without music?” ~ Suzanne Marie Monroe
Suzanne Monroe was born, on May 12, 1987, in the town of Pittsford, New York. She was born into a musical family, as her parents were professional musicians who performed extensively both on the stage and in educational settings. Naturally, surrounded by the sound of stringed instruments and voices singing, Suzanne was influenced and formed by her musical environment. Having three older siblings, who were also musically gifted and involved with their parents in performance, she did not question that someday she would join them on stage as well. At an early age, she recalls improvising on the piano with her brother, Nicholas, playing the guitar. Another highlight of her earlier years she comments on; “I can easily remember when my father suggested that I keep a journal like he did, and keeping a journal has had a major affect on writing lyrics for my songs.”
At fourteen she wrote her first song, “Namotion” about life’s constant changes. At fifteen she was performing frequently in Rochester, New York with her father, Dennis Monroe, and her sister, Mary Shannon at venues such as Waterstreet Music Hall, The Park Ave Festival, and Daily Perks. In 2003 Suzanne won a contest to perform at The Monroe County Fair and was featured on local television. Her song “Images of Beauty” written about seeing the beauty beyond what’s in front of you, was featured on NPR. While living in Lexington, Kentucky (2004-2009) she joined her brother, Michael Monroe’s band with a succession of performances in the area.
Recently, in August, 2011, she co-produced her first music video, “Wondering Out” with videographer, Victoria Franchi, which can be viewed on www.youtube.com. The song was engineered and produced by Michael Monroe, who also performed lead guitar and vocals for the recording. Suzanne currently lives in Austin, TX where she keeps an active performance schedule, and continues with her song writing. Additionally, Monroe’s fans can look forward to the release of her new CD that will be featuring her original, innovative, jazzy music.
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