Susan Cowsill

Bio:

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Though she's been singing for most of her life, Susan Cowsill has never gone solo before - unless you count a couple of early '70s singles that you'd have to hire a detective to find. Now, after her famed childhood with the Cowsills, her ten years with the Continental Drifters and too many guest appearances to list, Susan has finally recorded her first solo album, entitled Just Believe It.

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Not many people were singing on hit singles and touring the world when their friends were still in kindergarten, but The Cowsills became a cherished part of '60s pop culture. As the role model for television's Partridge Family, and a fine act in their own right, they had three top-ten singles with "Hair," "The Rain, the Park and Other Things (Flower Girl)," and "We Can Fly." Soon after those successes, Susan went into her first retirement at the tender age of 12.

The '80s found Susan working with cult figure Dwight Twilley, her harmonies adding sparkle to many of Twilley's greatest tracks, including his hit single "Girls." Pop lovers could also spot her guesting with Redd Kross and the Smithereens. In the early '90s The Cowsills launched a fullfledged reunion, with new songs in a solid powerpop vein, and released the Global album, becoming cult heroes all over again. More guest appearances by Susan during this time were on two Hootie and the Blowfish records, Jules Shear, Kate Jacobs, and Giant Sand.

Susan's life and music took a fateful turn when she joined the popular roots-pop combo, the Continental Drifters. Susan's exuberant stage presence and beautiful vocals proved an asset to the band. The Drifters made three critically-acclaimed albums, all of which recorded Susan blossoming as a songwriter. The 1999 disc Vermilion led off with Susan's country-pop gem, "The Rain Song." One publication gloated, "...vocal on the chorus...is the most heartbreaking musical moment of 1999." (Gambit Weekly, Dec. 28, 1999) The song has since been covered by both The Bangles and Hootie and the Blowfish. And 2001's Better Day album found her contributing four songs (one co-written with drummer, Russ Broussard). No Depression magazine noted on these songs, "...are the stuff big-time solo careers are made of."

Susan's Cowsill's solo album Just Believe It is the next logical step after the Drifters. Susan continues to write beautifully melodic songs, taking sympathetic looks at the imperfictions of life and love. Susan Cowsill's gumbo sound springs from '60s pop roots with seasonings of Louisiana groove, country, and rock. Whether she's doing her own material or covering the likes of Sandy Denny or Lucinda Williams, she can always connect with a haunting tune and emotive lyrics. As Bilboard Magazine expresses, "Cowsill...mines a child-like vulnerability, as she employs her achingly tarnished voice to a simple and moving effect." Susan's songs and voice have all the ingredients and delivery for her to easily be a hugely successful 'crossover' artist.

Member Since:

March 30, 2006

Members:

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As a duo:
Susan Cowsill (Vocals & Guitar)
Russ Broussard (Drums & Vocals)

As our NOLA and CIV band add:
Jimmy Robinson (Lead Guitar & Vocals)
Pete Winkler (Bass Guitar & Vocals)
and/or
Mary Lasseigne (Bass Guitar & Vocals)
Janson Lohmeyer (Keyboards & Vocals)

INTERVIEW WITH GIANLUCA

Influences:

Sounds Like:

Minnesota Welcomes Susan For Weekend of Peace

Bridges In A Small World
Walt Disney was right about something: "It IS a small world after all". It just seems that Stanley Milgram's "six degrees of connectedness" theory is often proven to only be two or three degrees. Example: I just found out that Susan Cowsill and her husband, Russ Broussard, who are playing a benefit concert for our "Women Against Military Madness" group this Sunday (July 6) beginning at 5 pm at the Minnesota Music Cafe, also contributed after the Minneapolis I-35W bridge came down to this “Musicians for Minneapolis” 57 song CD, the proceeds of which went to the Bridge Disaster Relief Effort.

These were their notes at the time: “We all have empathy and understanding for the family members of those lost in this tragedy. We lost Barry Cowsill in the aftermath of Katrina and had to wait months to learn of his death. On the day of his funeral Susan’s oldest brother passed away. We are still here and still finding great meaning and satisfaction in Life. We pray for all to have hope, love for all those affected, forgiveness, and willingness for Good in your heart. We are all One as our hearts ache and we close our eyes to feel peace in our hearts. Bless all of you who were touched by the I-35 Bridge collapse.”– Russ Broussard, Continental Drifters

“The members of the Continental Drifters send our love and hearts out to the families affected by the collapse of the Interstate 35 West Bridge in Minneapolis and to all the residents of that city. We hope that this song helps in the healing process.” – Peter Holsapple, Continental Drifters

Submitted by Coleen Rowley for MN BLUE on July 3, 2008 - 1:37pm.

Here's just some of what the Press has had to say ...

Rolling Stone
June 30-July14, 2005
Just Believe It is Cowsill's first solo album, and it is the hardy, heartbreaking sound of a woman in the prime of her singing and songwriting life. --David Fricke
The Times Picayune/Lagniappe, "The Best of the Fest"
May 5, 2006
Not only does Susan Cowsill boast an angelic voice, but she's also a gifted songwriter who conjures vivid images that cut right to the emotional heart of the matter. Her band, featuring husband Russ Broussard on drums, is also first rate.

Find out why the Austin Chronicle voted "Just Believe It" as one of the top 10 albums released on the planet in 2005. (Jan '06)

Home of Rock, Germany
October, 2004
Brilliant musical realization; sentimental, life-affirming she proves with this atmospheric and never-boring album her supremacy within the community of the so-called Roots-Rock Women. Cowsill solidifies her reputation (as) an impressive singer and mature author of honest stories. Absolutely recommended!
allmusic
Susan Cowsill has been making records since she was seven years old, ...Just Believe It is a rich and mature album that blends rock, pop, folk, and alt-country influences into a coherent and compelling whole that provides a perfect backdrop for Cowsill's songs. Quite simply, debut albums are rarely as moving, as revealing, or as accomplished as Just Believe It, -- this is masterful music from a major talent. -- by Mark Deming
Roots Music Report
July, 2006
...A very gifted vocalist,…that spells total listening enjoyment whether you are hearing her rendition of rock, pop or folk. It is all good! ...a remarkable songwriting talent. Her stories are compelling, moving and presented with such emotional attachment. --Brenda Barbee - RMR Staff Reviewer
No Depression
May, 2001
Challenging, smart, experienced relentless and regretful, these utterly distinctive offerings are the stuff big-time solo careers are made of.
Lost In the Grooves
July 21, 2006
…a great new album from Susan Cowsill. …the album is fantastic and I hope you search it out. She can hold her own with any female singer out there from Crowe to Pink to Amos and, shit, any male singer as well. Her voice is glorious and so is this CD.
Offbeat Magazine, “Best of New Orleans,” Hot Pick
November 23
Her voice conveys a clear-eyed, lived-in hope, particularly on the title cut, and the beautiful Nanny's Song with Lucinda Williams is Cowsill at her most heartbreaking. The news on the album is its range, from the hard-rocking I Know You Know to the Wawona song fragments. The strings and psychedelic production touches are pleasant surprises.
John Mills for Harp Magazine at March 2008 SXSW
"Cowsill’s music and larger-than-life vocals filled this sacred space, echoing off the cascading walls. From her Continental Drifters nugget “The Rain Song” to her more recently-penned tribute to New Orleans, “Crescent City Snow,” it was about the purest pop I heard my entire trip."

Veteran Rock Critic John Swenson on Jazz Fest 2008
Jazzfest 2008 opened on a near perfect afternoon of mild weather, the perfect setting for the day's great music. The Acura stage began with three great sets of music from New Orleans women bandleaders, Susan Cowsill, Kim Carson and Theresa Andersson. The three women shared the stage during each other's performances in an enthusiastic display of solidarity. "I've made it to the big girl stage" Cowsill said happily during her set. Though she's a veteran of the New Orleans music scene at this point Cowsill still exudes the little girl charm that dates back to the days when she was the little sister in her family band, the hitmaking '60s pop group the Cowsills.
But Cowsill's voice is now a fully mature instrument. She delivers the knowing sorrow of heartbreak ballads like "The Rain Song" with the same skill as the angry payback she dishes on "Talkin'" and the whimsical joy she brings to her old family's hit "The Rain, the Park and Other Things." But on this opening day of Jazzfest Cowsill's most powerful moment came with her dramatic reading of "Crescent City Snow," her post-Katrina composition that is fast becoming an anthem for returning New Orleanians.

Record Label:

Threadhead