I was lucky enough to catch Suzie Stapleton opening for Boss Hog at the Hackney Oslo earlier this year.
Playing for someone else’s audience is never easy but, despite wrestling with some recalcitrant loop pedals, a solo Stapleton secured a great reception.
The Sydney-born singer-guitarist won over the crowd with her smoky, rasping voice and full bodied swamp-blues playing style and she’s been attracting the attention of some big names on the underground scene.
Stapleton provided guest vocals on Lydia Lunch and Cypress Grove‘s Under The Covers album and will feature on the latest edition of The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project, inspired by the late Gun Club mainman.
For this single release she is backed by two of the best in the business Ian White of Gallon Drunk on drums and Gavin Jay (Jim Jones and The Righteous Mind) on bass.
There’s hint of fellow countryman Nick Cave about the way the song crashes into an explosive chorus, after a haunting, whispered intro, but Stapleton is no mere slavish copycat.
There’s a singular, seductive warmth to her guitar sound and some sublime string-bending on the solo she unleashes towards the end of the track.
It’s mature song-writing which should see the London-based Stapleton moving from supporting star to headline act before very long.
- Yesterday’s Town is released on October 27 and will be formally launched at Stapleton’s live show with Henry Herbert and The Fury at The Old Blue Last, London, on November 8
- For more information about Stapleton and to get a copy of the single visit Stapleton’s website here
Comments