Sue Fink, often accompanied by extremely talented friends.
Here are some of the wonderful musicians joined me on my last two CDs, "Thoughts at an Intersection" and "Damsel in Distress" (some on one or the other, some on both): Jenny Bienemann, Sue Demel,* Deb Lader,* harmonies; Bob Long and Jessica Fogle, keyboards; Michael Miles, banjo; Kathryn Lake, violin; Tony Dale and Jim Hines, percussion; John Abbey, Al Ehrich, Larry Kohut, & Bob Lizik, bass; Meg Lauterbach, cello; Michael B. Favreau, clarinet; Jeff Frankel, Steve Joyner, & Noah Zacharin, guitars. Bruce Roper* & Jeff Frankel engineered & mixed.
*Sue, Deb, and Bruce together make up the fabulous Sons of the Never Wrong.
At my "Damsel" CD release (Schubas, 2006), Sue, Jenny, Deb, Steve, Kathryn, and Al joined me, along with Jessica Fogle (keyboard) and Rick Vitek (percussion).
How lucky can a girl get?!
Influences
ABSOLUTE FAVORITE: Bruce Springsteen, esp. early Springsteen. His power as a poet, his passion as a songwriter and performer, have never been equaled, in my book.
*Springsteen, Rickie Lee Jones, and Tom Waits each create worlds populated with their own characters and vulnerabilities and truths, and for this I could not live without them. Patty Griffin does something similar, I think.
*Melanie, whose "Gather Me" album is still one of my top ten: she's strong and vulnerable and honest and funny and serious. *Christine Lavin -- she is an amazing performer, a wonderful songwriter, and a generous person -- I admire her greatly.
*Townes Van Zandt. Bob Dylan, of course. Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Joan Baez. Leonard Cohen; Nick Drake. Elton John (esp. early). Dan Fogelberg. Neil Young. CSNY. Simon & Garfunkel.
NEWER INFLUENCES: These are people whose music I admire, and who have taken the time to encourage me in one way or another, which makes me feel, again, very fortunate:
*Andrew Calhoun, whose songwriting classes were VERY inspiring: his poetry and songs are gifts. Sons of the Never Wrong. Nancy Walker (formerly of Sons). Chuck Cheesman. Noah Zazharin. Jeanne T. Arrigo, Steve Joyner, Dale Petersohn, Terry MacNamara, Cat Catalani. James Curley. Jenny Bienemann, who is a musical pioneer with her new work with the looper... All of these people are out there, sharing their gifts and their kindness and making the world a better place... Rachel Ries. Justin Roth. I know I'm forgetting people... Everyone who encourages me and gives me good advice.
Greenpeace Birdie, 1985-2002, who was the smartest bird I've ever known -- his influence is in almost every song I've written... and so it goes.
Sounds Like
... maybe a little Rickie Lee, Melanie, Christine Lavin... a combination of attributes, I think. If I were a rocker, I'd hope to be compared to Amy Rigby: intelligent lyrics, funny, vulnerable but with attitude.
Sue Fink is a somewhat quirky singer/songwriter who has been compared to Christine Lavin (in fact, she has a bit part on Christine's "Folk Zinger" CD). Richard Milne of 93.1 WXRT selected her song, "Saga of Pearl (It's Not You)," as one of his Top Songs of the Year (2006) for his "Local Anesthetic" show (http://93xrt.com/pages/185104.php). Sue has also received airplay on Rich Warren's "Midnight Special" show on WFMT, and other stations as well. Sue mostly performs in coffee houses around the Chicago area, such as the wonderful Uncommon Ground, and is starting to branch out a bit. Her "Damsel In Distress" CD was released at Schubas in 2006. You can hear Sue discuss her songwriting process and play several songs live on the Chicago Songwriters Podcast, at http://www.chicagosongwriterpodcast.podomatic.com/
Listen to MORE tunes, or purchase Sue's CDs by clicking on the pictures below:
Hi Sue! Looks like you made it through your CD release and are soon going to be too famous to have time for any of us? hahahahha! Im thrilled it went well for you! I too lived through mine...but the amusing fact is all the hardest work comes afterwards..lol :) However it was a grand time had by all...and I am so happy for you to be on the other side of it too...I know you worked soooo hard to make it happen..we will have to exchange survival notes down the road! Congrats sweets....! Now round 'em up and start moving those CDs out! :) PJ
hey Sue! Congrats on the great up in The Sun Times!!! DeRogatis really nailed it!! Here's to continued success!!! totally awesome!! Made me really happy to see!!!
Thank you so much for letting me know. I deleted the comment so hopefully that fixed it. The Orphanage is right in my neighborhood, so I will definitely try and come. I've wondered about playing there. How did you get a gig there?
Sorry to have missed you at FARM this past week, and dang it, it turns out I am booked for a musical event on your CD release day. Maybe you can convince all of the musicians to put on another show the next night. They should like that idea, huh? Hope Green Bay went well. I did get to hang out with some of your friends this weekend for a very nice time.
Hey Sue!! Saw you in the Illinois Entertainer!! VERY Nice!! Good luck with the show!!
THE SAFES “Sight of all Light” US tourdates
Oct 1 2009 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Borg Ward Oct 2 2009 - Madison, WI @ Wiscos Oct 3 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Cals Oct 4 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Darkroom Oct 11 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Phyllis Musical Inn Oct 16 2009 - Champaigh-Urbana, IL @ The Courtyard Oct 17 2009 - St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway Oct 24 2009 - Galena, IL @ Miss Kitty’s Grape Escape Nov 6 2009 - Springfield, IL @ Bar None Nov 11 2009 - State College, PA @ Roustabout Nov 12 2009 - Brooklyn, NY @Don Pedros Nov 13 2009 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tritone Nov 14 2009 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery Nov 15 2009 - Danbury, CT @ Cousin Larrys Nov 16 2009 - Arlington, VA @ Galaxy Hut Nov 17 2009 - New Brunswick, NJ @ Court Tavern Nov 18 2009 - New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine Nov 19 2009 - Cleveland, OH @ Pats in the Flats Nov 20 2009 - Columbus, OH @ Ravari Room Nov 21 2009 - South Bend,IN @ Anchor Inn Nov 25 2009 - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen Dec 4 2009 - Park Ridge, IL @ Pickwick Theater Dec 5 2009 - Galena, IL @ Miss Kittys Grape Escape Dec 6 2009 - Kansas City, MO @ The Brick Dec 7 2009 - Springfield, MO @ The Outland Dec 8 2009 - Oklahoma City @ Belle Isle Dec 9 2009 - Austin, TX @ Club 1808 Dec 10 2009 - Houston, TX @ TBA Dec 11 2009 - New Orleans @ The Circle Bar Dec 12 2009 - Memphis, TN @ Murphys
The SAFES - on tour, iTunes, EMusic, Rhapsody, Napster...
HI thnx for the friendship! Think it’s great to have musician friends all over the world!!! I stopped by to listen to your music and enjoyed it very much …… really sounds GREAT …. Cool tunes !! Greets from “D E E Z E L” (Belgium) and lots of luck in every thing you do!! If you can find the time check out my music too please and tell me what you think, “Love junky” ‘is our first single release !! (thnx)
Sue, sorry for the belated response!! I have been mind numbingly busy. Yes, what a wonderful show! You sounded terrific and I had a blast. Take care & we'll talk soon!
Sue - great show last night! Sorry I had to slip out near the end, and I didn't even have a chance to get a CD! Next time. New songs sound just wonderful! What a nifty way to celebrate your birthday. You missed a good one Dave!
Dang it, Sue. I was working my day around making it to your show tonight, but let me say that the universe did not seem to be on the side of my plans. I hope the show was a blast. Let me also say that _Damsel_ has brought me many thoughtful smiles since I got it. I look forward to hearing the new release.
Thank you for your Ultra Wonderful comments. How did I find you? I searched for "Ultra musician/Ultra nice" on Ultrasearch (TM), and your name was number one.
Damsel in Distress? I will send my UltraKnights to rescue thee, anon.
Hey there my friend - Congrats on the new CD being done and out!! Can't wait to hear it. Planning to be at Bill's next Sunday, barring any last minute kidlet melt-down. Looking forward to it!
Hi Sue Everything is great out here in Portland! Working on my CD to be out end of summer, doing shows, doing music therapy....yadda yadda...I am very blessed to be doing what I love, and I am grateful to be kept busy. I am looking forward to hearing your finished CD and will keep my eye out...! Take care PJ:)
