Oh Susanna Now Brighter

Toronto songstress broadens her sound on new disc release

Will the faithful fans of Vancouver-raised, Toronto-based singer/songwriter Oh Susanna accept her brighter and rockier incarnation? That is a question soon to be answered, as her third album hits the streets next week.
Oh Susanna (real name Suzie Ungerleider) has forged a reputation as a singer with a haunting and pure voice and a writer of dark and melancholy roots-oriented songs. Those elements remain on the excellent Oh Susanna, but they share space with a rockier sound and some tunes that reflect a happier and more optimistic Suzie.
In a chat with Tandem in an Annex coffee shop, Ungerleider reflected upon the changes. "Some of it is not as gut-wrenching, heartbroken or heavy or that dreamy thing," she agrees. "I am not in the same place as I was when I made that last album [2001's Sleepy Little Sailor]. I never feel like I want to make the same record. I grew up listening to people who have longevity and whose idea was to make an album that sounded different than the last one, like David Bowie."
"My tendency had been to write these downbeat and moody songs that matched my psyche at the time. But playing them with the band and feeling like I have more of a place in playing music, that heals that thing. Then what do you do? You can't just do this fake moody thing. That would be dishonest and I think the songs would be bad, just sort of formulaic and empty. I know I will get my ass kicked for saying this, but sometimes I will listen to Tom Waits and brilliant as he is, I go 'are you really in the same mood, the same obsession as when you wrote Raindogs, or are you just writing a Tom Waits song?' You can get caught in your own persona."
There's scope for optimism in her career now too. Long a critical favourite, Suzie has found it difficult to gain wider recognition in North America. England and Europe have taken a shine to her, however. In fact, English label Hot Records released the new album (to rave reviews) back in May, and she has toured there twice since then.
"The reception was great. If audiences there don't really like you, they just won't make a big fuss, but when there is a good response, it feels really genuine. You get heckling and comments from the audience, and they're usually very witty and often quite personal. They talk to you as though you're drinking with them at the pub, and that takes the barrier away."
Earlier Oh Susanna material has often been compared to the likes of Gillian Welch and Bob Dylan, but she acknowledges such varied influences as Stevie Wonder and the Rolling Stones on Oh Susanna.
"When I was really young, I was obsessed with Mick Jagger and these rock stars who were the biggest showmen. They were my biggest inspiration, but I would think 'I can't do that," and I'd do quiet and moody songs," the singer recalls.
Now she has the confidence to rock out on tunes like "Right By Your Side" and the politically-charged "Cain Is Rising." Of course it helps that her band comprises some of the very best players in Canada - Blue Rodeo bassist Bazil Donovan (Suzie's longest-serving musical collaborator), guitarists Luke Doucet (Veal) and Travis Good (The Sadies), pianist Bob Underwood, drummer Joel Anderson and producer/guitarist Colin Cripps.
Most of that stellar crew also worked on Sleepy Little Sailor, but sessions this time were a little more argumentative. "This album was way more cranky, with way more disagreements. It was like we were a band and we were going to get mad at each other, say how we thought it should be. It was more tumultuous but that is a great thing. This is a record where the band is driving the music and I am the singer."
Oh Susanna recently signed a North American record deal with the highly successful Nettwerk label, and that means her best shot yet at wider recognition on her home turf. There are few artists more deserving.
Oh Susanna is released this week on Nettwerk. A Toronto-area date will be announced shortly.

Publication Date: 2003-09-14
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3144