Who is Susan Bluechild? - Biography

Susan Bluechild is from Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. She comes from a strong musical background, her mother and older sister are classical pianists, and her second cousin is Sultans of Ping lead singer Niall O’Flaherty. Susan herself trained as an opera singer and pianist but found she was drawn towards contemporary pop and rock; among her influences Susan sites Sheryl Crow, The Cardigans, Kate Bush, Madonna, Debbie Harry, Stevie Nicks and Belinda Carlisle.

Deciding she would have more chance of developing her musical career in London she moved there in the 90’s. Twelve months later Susan took a trip to LA she was introduced to a well respected veteran of the music industry. Hel had worked with as a writer, singer, producer, engineer, pianist and conductor in his career spanning over 40 years working at Motown and with Holland Dozier as well as independently with acts including The Isley Brothers, Isaac Hayes, Jermaine Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Bobby Brown and Luthor Van Dross. Impressed with Susan - whom he described as a cross between Madonna and Sheryl Crow- and her songs, he took her demos to his contacts in the music-publishing world. Susan was close to getting a deal but it was the time of change within the industry with mergers, closures and massive redundancies – the wrong time.

Broke, dejected but still determined Susan returned to London and threw herself into gigging performing whenever and wherever she could. She supported herself with a variety of jobs working in hotels, night clubs and bars as well as Tarot card reading --Susan is a keen and talented astrologer. During this time Susan was searching for a good manager and also trying to secure a recording deal. Twelve months later feeling totally frustrated but undeterred Susan decided to go it alone and form her own independent record label. She obtained a bank loan to pay for a producer and production costs the result was her debut single “Summer Girls”. This was released in Ireland late summer 2002 and was a radio hit spending five weeks on the 2FM play list.

Susan spent the early part of 2003 writing and recording demos. In June of that year Susan sent her material to the organisers of the Durango Song Writers Expo in Colorado taking place in October, a prestigious invitation only music industry event. Out of hundreds of submissions, mostly from the US and Canada Susan was one of the twenty-five musicians invited to perform a showcase – the only European performer there.

The same year Susan also decided to perform a showcase at “In the City”, the annual UK music industry event that took place in Manchester. It was at this showcase that John Weston discovered Susan, became her manager and the plan to record and release an album where put in place.

The next step was to find the right producer. It was in October 2004 at the Music Managers’ Forum that John and Susan met James Hockley, a recording engineer of seven years experience working with major labels developing new acts. James had ambitions to become a record producer but had yet to find the right act, Susan and James exchanged demo tapes and decided to work together. From February to October 2005 Susan commuted from London to James’s studio in Gloucestershire. James Hockley has recently signed a deal with Ministry of Sound as an artist for his dance production work.

Susan wrote or co-wrote every song on her debut album “Non Stop To Venus” which was completed in November 2005 and released on September 15th 2006 on her label Naughty Recordings.

Through My Space word of Susan’s music spread rapidly with a large fan base developing in America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada the UK and Ireland with a lot of radio DJ’s picking up on her music.

“After listening to Susan’s music, both her vocals, songwriting and overall sound, I felt immediately compelled to expose her songs to my radio audience. “Rock Star” was a perfect fit. I look forward towards hearing more from Susan as she progresses with her captivating sound.”
Jonathan L 97.9FM 98KUPD Phoenix Arizona statewide radio

The album was made ALBUM OF THE WEEK by RTE 2FM national radio legend Larry Gogan, and single Sunrise was SINGLE OF THE WEEK in the national newspaper Metro.

Single Sunrise was released in August and peaked at NUMBER ONE in the Irish artists airplay chart and NUMBER SIX in the International chart. It spent 19 Weeks in the airplay Top 100.

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Reviews and Quotes

"If it was written by Sheryl Crow – and it sounds like that’s plausible –we’d be heralding it as her strongest work yet." Hot Press Magazine

"Backed by a full band, she rocked the place - Bluechild’s natural home is clearly in a bigger arena than Whelan’s" - Hot Press Magazine

“The rising star a cross between Madonna and Sheryl Crow…….” -Eddie Rowley Sunday World

Album of the week RTE2fm National Radio Larry Gogan show

Sunrise - Single of the week - Metro National Newspaper

"The hottest indie rock chick in Ireland" Backstage with Dusty Rhodes
"Susan Bluechild... Watch the name, she’s going to be huge I know it!" Stevie Bolger Dublins Country Mix 106.8FM, Dublin
"Stunning" George Mulcahy 101.6 Near FM, Dublin
"Your music is amazing" Michael McCartney KEAO Radio, Hawaii, USA
"Thanks for sharing your beautifully abundant talent with the rest of us" Sam Dweezl, Pensacola 365 Radio, USA
"Listeners likened you to Deborah Harry, Kate Bush, Madonna & Andrea Corr" Nick Hayward, Cambridge University Radio, UK
"Could be a big hit" Tracey Lee, Today FM, Ireland
"Definitely liked If Only" Jonathan L, 98KUPD Radio, Arizona, USA
"Love to play your tunes" Radio Undaground, New South Wales, Australia
"Youre a legend" Victoria O Hagan, Dundalk FM, Ireland
"Her sensational voice and amazing music will certainly get her the attention she deserves" Samantha Kim, Dublin South FM
"I adore Rock Star!" Roddy Cleere, WLRfm, Waterford

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