Tomorrow, June 17th, KELS — an Atlanta-based artist who’s made a name for herself blending jazz, pop, and soul in a manner that has earned the attention of Big Boi and Timbaland — will be performing a long-sold-out show at Kung Fu Necktie. However, we’re just as excited about local alt-R&B singer/songwriter Suzanne Sheer, who will be opening the night. Last month Sheer released her Voices LP, the follow-up to 2022’s The Blue Hour, which sees her delving into rock and pop more than ever before with longtime musical collaborators and production duo 3xpo and Lotits. Last week I got a chance to chat with Suzanne Sheer about her latest album, more than a decade in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, and some of her favorite summertime jams.
Izzy Cihak: You recently released Voices, the full-length follow-up to The Blue Hour. Have you had any favorite responses to the new music?
Suzanne Sheer: I have gotten an absolutely unbelievable response to Voices from friends, family, and fans. But I think my favorite response has been from a childhood friend of mine who not only has watched me from the beginning of my music career (9th grade battle of the bands), but who is a huge music head and lover of the arts. She said that my expression was coming through in a more impactful way than it ever has, and that the sound and lyrics of the album feels the most like me of all my music.
Izzy: Do you have a favorite album track at the moment, whether one you’re most proud of, one that best represents your current musical mindset, or one that you think would best convince our readers to come out and catch the live show?
Suzanne: Honestly, it changes every day, but I think overall “Voices,” the title track, is my favorite on the project. I’m really proud of it because although all of my songs feel like little bits from a diary, this one does especially, and it’s hard to be that vulnerable, especially when a lot of the song is talking about not wanting to make music anymore. I think when artists feel that way, there is a sense of guilt they feel because people expect them to give and create constantly, but the reality is that sometimes, even though everyone else thinks that’s their reason for being, they may not think it is themselves.
Izzy: You’re going to be opening Kung Fu Necktie for KELS in the very near future. What can be expected of your live show, both for those who might be yet to see you live or those who tend to be regulars at your gigs?
Suzanne: What’s fun about coming to a Suzanne Sheer show is that there’s sort of three different versions you might be getting. Often I’m performing on stage and my producer 3xpo is up there with me DJing. I really like these shows because the audience is hearing the production of the songs the way that they are in the album, which is always fun to share after working so hard on them! Then you have full band performances which are magical. I love having the incredibly talented “Star Destroyers” back me as my band when I have one of these gigs. We did a small tour last summer and it was really fun! Lastly is just me, and my keyboard. A very intimate unplugged vibe, almost as if you’re getting a peek at how I wrote most of my songs. Which is the vibe I will be bringing to the show at KFN!
Izzy: What are your thoughts on KELS? I also totally dig her but have never gotten the chance to catch her live, so I’m super excited for this lineup.
Suzanne: I think she’s amazing. Her voice and her style are so powerful and sexy and, if I’m not mistaken, she’s also a fellow “girl from Pittsburgh.” I feel super honored to be opening for her and I know Philly is going to love her!!
Izzy: Since you have been based in Philly for over a decade now, I have to ask if you have any favorite shows that you’ve seen at Kung Fu Necktie? I think what would be considered the retrospectively “craziest” show that I’ve seen there would be Chairlift in 2009, but I feel like the best may have been one of the shows Those Darlins played there.
Suzanne: I’ve had many fun, crazy nights at Kung Fu, most of which I barely remember if we’re being honest. The homie Matthew Law used to host his party “Friends and Fam” there and that was always a vibe!! Also, my incredibly talented friend and musician Emily Robb played a show there a few years back that blew me away.
Izzy: As I said, you’ve been doing music here for more than a decade now. What have been some of your highlights of that time?
Suzanne: Getting to play an opening set at Union Transfer was a literal dream come true. I had always wanted to play that stage ever since I moved to Philly, so that was definitely a moment I’ll never forget. Finding and going to the Time open mic for the first time in 2014, when I first moved to Philly, set the tone for my entire experience here. It’s where I was every single Tuesday night for three years, getting to jam with the nicest, coolest, most talented musicians in Philly. I wish I could relive one of those nights. And of course, being introduced to 3xpo by Lotits at the end of 2019 and beginning our journey as friends and music collaborators together.
Izzy: On a related note, you’ve had your music wind up in a lot of super cool placements [Pepsi, Comcast, ESPN, ABC, Milk Makeup]. Is there anywhere you dream of your music potentially winding up one day?
Suzanne: I would love to have a song in a Bond movie! I think a lot of the music I have out already could be in one! And I would love for my music to be in any sort of commercial or ad promoting women. Mothers, entrepreneurs, cozy girls, athletes, party girls, whatever it is. Girl Power, Baby!
Izzy: And what are you planning, or most hoping for, in regard to promoting Voices and getting this new music out there to as many people as possible? Any chance of some music videos? You’ve done some really cool ones.
Suzanne: I am hoping that posting more content on social media gets my music out there to more listeners. That is, of course, the ultimate goal, because I make music that I hope people can relate to and feel something to! I would love to be able to go on tour, whether it be my own small tour or get put on a bigger artist’s as an opener. Anything to be able to meet and connect with more fans!
Izzy: Finally, since it is summer, I have to ask if you have any favorite summertime jams that regularly soundtrack your own summers?
Suzanne: Such a good question! I am almost stressed out because I know I will think of 1 million after answering! I think I’ll just list some off!
Drake – “Views” (summer 16 IFYKYK)
Fleetwood Mac – “Albatross”
Glass Animals – “Gooey”
Anything by Stan Getz
Prince – “I Would Die 4 U”
And see… I’m getting stressed! Maybe I will make a playlist because there are just too many special songs! So, readers, be on the lookout for that.
