When Susie Keynes teams up with Mr CJ Rhodes AND drummer extraordinaire, Yanya Boston, together WE ARE REDHEAD and we hit the wonderful dynamics of the band sound... shifting between simmering and exploding. I love it.
Quotey Quotes “(But) it is Keynes’ superbly-crafted songwriting and the diversity of styles on the record that define it…Keynes’ sincere and intelligent lyrics emote on record as vividly as they do on stage. Certainly, this is no ordinary girl.” MrBlu, Faster Louder [dot] com [dot] au 2008
Influences
Life, big emotions, noticeable things...eachother
influences is too big a question. none of us are islands.
I AM SUSIE KEYNES - I am a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist. I love the sound of guitars and slowly i have collected many.
I started writing songs when i was about 8. "My shirt is the best in town" i remember still as my first attempt. It appears from time to time - the song, not the shirt.
I confess - I love to rock. I am the quintessential rocker girl who chooses a guitar for its tone... and then its colour. When both are happening it's a very good day.
I have notched up a lot of years on the road - the last dozen years with Sam Lohs and Mel Watson in the Australian, female fronted, harmony heavy band FRUIT. We travelled far, sung strongly, played furiously and built wonderful friendships and audiences across the globe. An irreplaceable experience and one still unfolding..
For now, however, FRUIT is taking an extended break and i find myself having fanned the fire in my belly for even more music after managing only a very short period of time naval gazing.
INTRODUCING REDHEAD.
REDHEAD is the rockin' combination of Susie Keynes, CJ Rhodes (Bass) and Yanya Boston (Drums). CJ and I first met in Nashville where, after a gig, we watched the AFL grand-final of Pt Adelaide vs Brisbane Lions in a sports bar at 3 am - we connected. Then much later in our home town of Adelaide we decided to hook up and combine his effortlessly organic style of bass playing with my shape-shifting songs. Again, we connected. He is a funky dude with much heart and that heart is evident in all of his playing. YANYA and I spent many years on the road together with FRUIT. He lives and plays by feel and it delights me no end to be with him again in this band. Yanya is, to me, an alpha dog. He is uncompromisingly strong and solid and has an enormous understanding of all things musical. There is never any doubt that Yanya is in the room and i love him for that : )
AND FINALLY - ABOUT MUSIC - I think live music is sustained by people who are sustained by good sounds, harmony, musical connection, songs with relevance and a desire to make the world a better place. I'm hoping that sentiment is a growing one.
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great pleasure watching you perform again and this time with your band even, what fun!! hope to see you up in nocal, if not best rest of your tour and trip home!
hey Susie and Redhead, wanted to say thanks for sharing your amazing music at the Winnipeg Folk Festival this past weekend. As usual, you blew my mind! too bad the weather was so crummy, but you and all the other performers were such good sports about it...i swear, Winnipeg usually has MUCH better summers! hope to see you back in these parts soon (and no one would complain if you brought those other two girls with you :-)) take care
thanks for showing us your group in stevens point, WI. It was a pleasure to chat and hang out by the docks (next time we'll actually get on a sailboat. Dont loose your genuine style of talking to the peeps in the crowd. You'll always have a spot in chicago.
Brand new fans in Door county from Cruel Timing ent. Zach,Jedediah, and Jamison.. Hope your tour is as fun as Sturgeon Bay was.. Tell everyone, Cheers...
okay so the big stage really suits you, incredible sounds and as usual, you gave us all an excellent show. It was great to see your first two shows in the US as red head. Hopefully we will hook up with you in Fort Atkins. peace xxxooo
Susie where is the Vegas leg of your tour? It has been MANY years since vegas has been included, Acoustic Routes in Oct of 2004(which was a great show)! Did we do something wrong? Come party with us soon!
Hey Suse and Sue!! Hope all is well with you. Glad to see things are going so well with Redhead. I will try to catch up with you while you're in the States. I just got a new job (fantastic), so it depends on how fast I develop. I work for a wonderful organization called Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary. I help rescue, rehabilitate and adopt out dogs and cats. It really really makes me feel whole.
Just found out you're going to be at folkfest this year w/redhead! I can't even contain my excitement!! YAY! it's sure to be a good year now! luv peace and tunes -mandolyn
Its awesome to see you rock on. You have trully blossomed as a solo artist and as redhead. Once again, well done. Jess also tells me her workshop went well and you did a great job! Congrats.
Let me make another further note on my last message, lol... You are not only gutsy, but you're voice is so smooth and invoking, while your lyrics are very evoking... Now I feel better after getting all that out, lol... Complete!!! Anna :D
Hey Susie, Just got home from your gig at FAD bar and had to tell you... Wow! How amazing! I remember the first time i saw you and CJ perform together and Peta and i both agreed you two had the most amazing chemistry we had ever seen. We were blown away by the amazing talent before us and what you were able to do together... to see you tonight was a blessing, you have grown together and blew us all away. Thankyou for sharing your talent, passion and power with us once again... Sandy
