Susan Weldenken is a talented and versatile musician who has made a significant impact in the music industry with her contributions to various bands and musical projects. 

Harmony Junction (2005-2010): Susan's musical journey began with the band Harmony Junction, formed in 2005. The group quickly gained attention for their soulful and emotive folk-rock sound. Susan, with her captivating vocals and skilled guitar playing, played a pivotal role in the band's success. During their active years, Harmony Junction released two well-received albums, "Whispers in the Wind" (2007) and "Eclipse of Hearts" (2009). Both albums highlighted Susan's songwriting talents and earned the band a dedicated fan base. 

Rhythmic Rays (2011-2014): After the disbandment of Harmony Junction, Susan Weldenken joined forces with the experimental jazz ensemble Rhythmic Rays. This collaboration allowed her to explore new musical territories, blending her folk roots with jazz elements. Rhythmic Rays released a self-titled album in 2012, which received critical acclaim for its innovative sound and Susan's seamless adaptation to the jazz genre. 

SoundScape (2015-2018): In 2015, Susan Weldenken joined the alternative rock band SoundScape as their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. With her involvement, the band experienced a surge in popularity and a refreshed musical direction. SoundScape's album "Beyond the Horizon" (2017) featured Susan's expressive vocals and meaningful lyrics, elevating the band's impact in the alternative music scene. 

Following her tenure with SoundScape, she embarked on a solo career, demonstrating her ability to shine as a standalone artist. 

Solo Album - "Wings of Wanderlust" (2020): In 2020, Susan released her debut solo album titled "Wings of Wanderlust." The album reflected her personal growth as an artist and showcased her artistic maturity. "Wings of Wanderlust" featured a captivating blend of folk, alternative, and indie influences, with introspective and soul-stirring lyrics that resonated with listeners. 

Collaborations and Side Projects: In addition to her solo work, Susan Weldenken has been actively involved in collaborations and side projects. She has lent her vocals and musical talents to various artists and bands across different genres, demonstrating her versatility as a musician. 

Upcoming Projects: Susan had hinted at working on new material, teasing her fans with the promise of fresh music. Her artistic evolution and dedication to exploring diverse musical avenues make her a compelling artist to follow in the coming years.  

We recently caught up with Susan to chat about her musical influences, meeting her heroes and a very strange on-stage experience..... 

Tell me a fascinating fact about yourself.... 

While I am a musical veteran of many years and released albums as a member of a band, I’m a beginner all over again. People are always celebrating artists who accomplish something at a young age. But it’s equally interesting when someone takes a huge risk and investment in their worth and abilities to write & release their first solo album just mere weeks before turning 52. It’s especially bold for a woman to do this at my age! 

Do you remember the band or artist that made you want to pick up an instrument and learn to play?  

My mother was my first piano teacher and having her introduce me to the world of playing music…that made me want to be able to do it. I craved it. I was so young that I don’t think I had a favourite artist yet.  As I got older, the first pop song I taught myself was “Angel of the Morning?” (Merrilee Rush/Juice Newton) 

I understand you discovered heavy metal as a teenager. Which artists brought you to the dark side?  

Well, I was getting little tastes of songs I liked that were hitting the mainstream in the early 80’s from Def Leppard, Quiet Riot & Twisted Sister. But my first “love” was Ozzy.  I fell hard! My best friend got into it at the same time, and she started funnelling me cassettes of Ozzy solo and Sabbath.  By the way she’s still my bestie and she played bass on “Rewrite”.

You’re something of a musical prodigy! How many instruments do you play, and which are you most confident at?  

I wish I was a prodigy!  I am just ‘ok’ at piano/keyboards, or you might say I’m good for someone without professional training who doesn’t practice enough.  I am just getting by on guitar and bass; really just enough to use those instruments for writing songs.  And I can just one thing on the Irish Tin Whistle: the solo section of Paul Simon’s “Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard” 

Do you remember the first gig you ever played? How did you feel? Did it all go according to plan? 

The first gig I ever did was a fundraiser for a school for the deaf (irony not lost on me hahaha) in NYC.  I was nervous but sometimes I thrive under pressure, and I knew we had to do well, in service to the cause. I remember it being a positive experience overall but the band itself as a unit was just OK so we didn’t exactly set the night on fire. 

Have you ever met any of your ‘heroes’? If so, who was it and how did it go?  

Yes actually 2 heroes!  I met Ann Wilson from Heart.  I stood in front of her stammering like an idiot and was trying to complete a sentence.  Finally I recovered and cracked a joke, saying “I can’t even remember my own name right now!” She laughed.  I also met the vocalist who inspired me to sing metal: Doro Pesch from Warlock.  I got very emotional and choked up when I told her how she inspired me.  She was very sweet about it. 

Congratulations on the release of “Alayne's Echo”! Can you explain the title and themes of the record to us?

Alayne was my mother’s middle name. Like most girls, she preferred her middle name, so I wanted to honour her in a way I knew she’d really like it. The themes are centred around human relationships: romantic interactions, family dynamics, the connections (and disconnects) we have with the world and with ourselves. 

What do you prefer more, playing a regular gig or playing a festival? How do they differ for you (Apart from the mud of course!)?  

Well I would love to play a lot more festivals so I can tell you how I really feel about them, but I certainly love the excitement of playing for a large crowd.  But a little pub gig can be a lot of fun because you can feel freer to improvise and I am extremely uncomfortable with photos so that happens a lot less on smaller local gigs. 

Tell me about the STRANGEST thing that ever happened to you when you’ve been on stage?   

I was singing at a bar in Queens (New York), and this very drunk Russian dude who looked just like Jim Morrison walked up while I was singing.  He backed me up against a wall, then turned around and (for lack of a better way to describe this) he gave me a lap dance (even though I was standing).  He gyrated his booty into me.  It was bizarre.  But I did mention he looked like Jim Morrison so, I can’t say it was all that unpleasant! 

Let’s imagine that you’ve been washed up on a desert island and there’s a record player, an amp, and some speakers but only enough space for three records, which three would you have in the box to keep you going until you are rescued and why these three? 

Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes. That album changed my life.  The words, the messages, the performance, her voice and her overall Toriosity 

Faith No More – King for a Day.  It’s like 3 bands in one.  They change genres and meld them throughout that record.  Mike Patton’s voice is so incredible, it would give a reason to want to survive each day just so I could listen to him again. 

Tom Waits – Nighthawks at the Diner. I think just saying Tom Waits is enough explanation of itself but his wit, his vulnerability, his truth, his humour and that iconic voice: Like Louis Armstrong and Satan somehow bore a son.  I cannot get enough of him.  

 

What’s next for you?  

That’s where I need your readers’ help! I hope everyone will check out my music.  I hope they like it and share it with anyone who they think would also like it. I need to get the word out and keep the momentum going so I can take my music on the road and hopefully to a town near you! 

You heard her, go check out her music, links are below, go grab a brew and get involved!

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