Berkshire Magazine Fall 2024 | Page 10

10 minutes with ... SUZANNE VEGA

Get ready for an enchanting musical journey as the legendary Suzanne Vega takes center stage at the picturesque Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Saturday , October 5 , at 8 p . m . This American singer-songwriter , whose melodic journey has captivated audiences for nearly four decades , is set to serenade the Berkshires with her folk-inspired tunes . Remember those catchy ‘ 80s and ‘ 90s hits that had you humming along ? Vega is the mastermind behind songs like “ Marlene on the Wall ” and the hauntingly beautiful “ Luka ,” and her a cappella tune “ Tom ’ s Diner ” really put her on the map . This song not only topped charts when remixed as a dance track , but also played a surprising role in tech history — it was used to fine-tune the MP3 format ! Talk about a claim to fame ; Vega is now affectionately known as “ The Mother of the MP3 ”! Vega spoke with me about her evolving approach to songwriting and musical exploration , her experiences with various recording technologies , her views on the music industry ’ s changes , and her literary influences .
We ’ re so excited to welcome you to the Berkshires in October ! You ’ ve performed in Western Massachusetts a few times — what do you like about the Berkshires ? My daughter went to Williams College , and I ’ ve always enjoyed my trips to the Berkshires . My husband and I have taken many long , beautiful trips out there , and we ’ re really looking forward to coming back . And it ’ s so exciting to be doing new material again .
Your tour is titled “ Old Songs , New Songs , and Other Songs .” Can you elaborate on what fans can expect from this intriguing mix ? Are there any surprises or lesser-known tracks you ’ re particularly excited to showcase alongside your classics ? We ’ ve been on tour in Europe this summer , and I ’ m not sure whether we ’ ll stick with the ones we ’ ve been doing now , or whether we ’ ll have even newer songs by the time we get to the Berkshires , but there ’ s a section
for brand-new stuff . I also do some deep cuts — we do “ Penitent ” from Songs in Red and Gray , and “ Left of Center .” And we do a newish song called “ I Never Wear White .” And then that all ramps up to “ Luka ” and “ Tom ’ s Diner .”
How do you approach songwriting differently now compared to earlier in your career ? I think at this stage of the game , I ’ ve written songs every way it ’ s possible to write them . I ’ ve written songs that have
lyrics first ; I ’ ve written songs with the melody first . I ’ ve had songs that had the title first , or just an image or a vision of something . I ’ ve had songs where other people write the bridges , and I ’ ve had songs where people write all the music . I ’ ll take the inspiration however it comes , and I do whatever I have to do to get that song to straighten up and fly right .
You ’ ve explored various musical styles throughout your career .
8 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE May August Fall 2024 / June 2024 2024