What do you get when an ex-ballerina turned choreographer picks up a guitar? Provocative songs that move you down to the muscle and the bone. Pure, haunting, simple, bare boned soul.
Susan Chamberlain is a newcomer to the music scene, but an old soul in waiting. Her many incarnations as an artist fuel an original approach to her songs.
" Just One Soul
that's already Old,
Just One Heart
That was Born True."
-s.c. 2004.
Originally from Boston, she began her artistic journey as a classical ballet dancer. With a love for "the notes that move", she performed with regional companies and became a student of pre-professional programs with the members of The New York City Ballet, The Paris Opera Ballet, and Boston Conservatory, among others. At a young age she was introduced to "the greats" Bach, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky, while dancing on stage to live symphonies, and orchestra. After years of making up songs as a child and a love for poetic grace, Susan happened to find an old rustic abandoned guitar in the attic of her sister's apartment at age 18. Songs began to come easily.
With a longing to expand her artistic vision, Susan attended Emerson College in Boston and graduated with studies completed in choreography, music, acting, film, and writing in 2001. Influenced by the great works of Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Grotowski, as well as an ever blooming connection to ancient concepts of the East, she choreographed three original experimental dance shows while in the undergraduate theatre program at Emerson College. One of her last pieces of choreography was entitled "Take Me To The Water ". With an increasing call to utilize an ear for music composition Susan choreographed all of the movement as the music was being written, and utilized her love for live music.by performing with her dancers each night to live udu drum and guitar by composer and collaborator Max Gallico.
During college, Susan could also be found working and singing at The Acton Jazz Cafe, run by musician Gwenn Vivian. Some of the best jazz and blues musicians frequented the club, and their legendary open mic night hosted space for new musicians. It was here she began to try on songs, and could be found after hours singing in the halls, or tinkering on the keys of the beautiful grande piano in the club.
With an ever reaching call to write and perform music, Susan found herself in London in 2002 standing on the stage at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre late one night staring up at the stars. While taking long walks along the River Thames, and writing songs, she did observational work under the tutelage of the movement master at The Globe, and again watched the word, music, and movement, and the ancient connect.
In her flat was a picture of New York City and it was here she knew she was going next.
The great Isadora Duncan once said "All my life I have only 'listened to music' I have never been a dancer. "
This holds true for Susan who sees art itself as a space waiting to be executed, cultivated, and sung.
" There's a room, up a flight of stairs
where we go to be unlaced
from the holding back and fear
There's a room, an empty space
where we go to catch the songs
through a net called grace."
-Suzie Q 2006
After moving just outside Manhattan Susan was introduced to a family of musicians at Luna Stage, a theatre run by director Jane Mandel, and actor Frankie Faison. After stumbling into an open mic while on the way home from buying groceries, and singing a capella in bare feet, she was convinced by then musical director Kirk Mouser, to perform in their monthly showcase. Her first show at Luna Stage was rightfully called "The Phases of Eve" and would be followed by many other performances, and collaborations.
During this time, Susan worked for several years in the film and television business in New York City. Though her appearances were brief, this land of show biz allowed her to stand in the collaboratory fire of greats like Steve Martin, Denzel Washington, and Lady Madonna.
Though once told in London she would make a great actress.
the songs called stronger once more.
In the summer of 2006, Susan joined the Digital Cafe Tour, produced by writer, musician, visionary extraordinaire Tom Walker, and definitive Filmmaker Brian Jude. Proud to be listed as one of DCT's artists, DCT holds 10 of Susan's songs in live performance filmed at both Luna Stage, and the prestigious Gibson Hit Factory in New York City.
Currently at work on her long awaited debut record, her music has been described as everything from "ethereal" and "angelic" to "bluesy" and "bold". "The songs have a life of their own, they are my greatest teachers", she says, "They are energy moving, and it's my job to let them move through me."
*stay tuned for bare boned songs from the heart, from the soul, and from a girl that refuses to go quiet.
