Susie Ahern was brought up on great music. Her parent's record collection boasted The Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Haley and the Comets, Louis Armstrong. She was also introduced to Motown courtesy of the jukebox at the Bowling Alley where her father worked in London, where she would sit and listen to tunes over and over again. And then there was Suzi Quatro, the first album she ever bought.very cool!
By the time she migrated to Perth with her family, it was apparent that the young girl who used to stand at the kitchen sink practising harmonies for church had music in her veins. She penned her first song at just 13, a tune she describes as, "A wonderful little ditty called 'Making Trax For Home'. I was in a band called Trax and the song was about something to do with surfing, which we were all in to; it was very cute."
Coming from a family of high achievers, Susie says that becoming a musician wasn't a viable career option. "I always wanted to be a singer but didnt think it was possible. So I went to University and got a degree so that I could have something solid to fall back on, but nearly every night I was out until all hours playing with an original band in Perth. I was very tired by the end of the degree. Music had taken over my life. In the end I found I had to sing and write for my own sanity!"
When it comes to songwriting she takes her cues from the Leonard Cohens, Peter Gabriels, Stings and Joni Mitchells of the world, artists who aren't afraid to bleed on to the page. "The best lyrics are the open / honest ones. I do feel exposed. It's very confronting sometimes and I wonder why on earth I have to hang everything out like I do. However, when I see someone really touched by a song I've written, I'm reminded."
Like breathing, songwriting is something she has to do. Susie explains, "I always feel that I'm not actually writing at all. It's more of a channelling experience. Not in a Shirley Maclaine kind of way," she quickly adds. "It's more like there are phrases and ideas floating around just outside of every day consciousness, all I have to do is tap into it. Sometimes I have felt very strongly about a particular song and it will not leave me alone until it is written."
To date, Susie Ahern has enjoyed a successful career. Since moving to Melbourne in 1984, she has toured / recorded / performed with some of the most respected names in the industry: Kylie Minogue, Renee Geyer, John Farnham, Wendy Matthews, Joe Camileri, Vika & Linda, Diesel the list goes on. In 2004 Susie released her debut solo album, 'Women Are Different', to critical acclaim. She also found herself working with John Reid (manager of Queen, Elton John, etc) on TV's X Factor. 2006 has seen Network 7 employ Susie as vocal coach for their hit show 'It Takes Two'. Currently, Susie is in the midst of recording her new album, HURRY UP AND WAIT, a title she says is indicative of her career. "It's how the Industry has always been for me. It seems like it has never been my time and yet I've always been quite successful. Its a weird juxtaposition."
Susie has teamed up with Producer Dorian West (who's worked with such luminaries as John Butler and Nikka Costa) for the new recording. According to Susie, HURRY UP AND WAIT is by no means Women Are Different 2. "The new album is taking on its very own life. I am astounded at how different it is. It seems like an evolution. It's a lot more positive and more soulful too. 'Women Are Different' was a great statement of where I was at and what I'd been through. I found a whole new vocal style through recording that album. With the new one I'm hoping to hone that style even further. I have a feeling it's going to be a lot more raw and soulful."
Can't wait.
