by Lisa Feren
Live Music by Suzanne!
by Lisa Feren
Live music. I don’ t know about you, but I don’ t go and see live music nearly as often as I should. But after every show, I wonder why I don’ t go more often and always promise myself I will make a better effort to see more. Living in San Diego, we are so lucky to have so many amazing venues both large and small like Mattress Firm Amphitheater or Valley View Casino Center( which I thought was still called Sports Arena!) and intimate venues like House of Blues, Belly Up and Humphreys. My favorite part of listening to music live is how you really feel the music – when it literally moves right through you. The drums, the beat, the vocals. I am moved by the music. Jazzed up by the energy.
I was lucky enough to be able to write about San Diego native, Suzanne Gladstone this month. Suzanne is the female half of the music duo McGonigle and Gladstone. Their music is best described as“ a unique crossover style of Soul / Pop / Country / Folk with beautiful lyrics and a classy feel”. Suzanne’ s vocals are powerful and strong yet still a bit sultry and raspy giving her voice a deep texture that you could listen to over and over again! She, along with the beautiful harmony of her partner Michael have mastered a sound worthy of the big stage and some serious radio time( which I am sure is coming)!!!!
They can be seen live- entertaining throughout the year at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, singing a variety of styles from the 50 ' s through today with a focus on classic songs sung by " Simon & Garfunkel ", " The Beatles " and " The Eagles ". Suzanne serenades with her unique renditions of songs by " Adele ", " Whitney Houston " and " Patsy Cline."
So how did this magic happen? Funny enough, they met through Facebook only a few short years ago in 2012. The original plan was to learn some cover songs and play some shows to hone their craft together. As a writer since the age of 14, after only a few practice sessions together, Suzanne made it clear she wanted to work on original music. Suzanne wrote a song called“ I Can’ t Forget Your Name” and Michael agreed to compose the music. After ironing out a melody and practicing, the song was soon completed. It was at that time, they both realized they had something special together. After only a couple more months, they had written 13 original songs, and were ready to go into the studio to complete them. A little over a year later they completed 5 original songs in a professional studio.
“ We feel our music is very unique and has a mix of eclectic-melancholy sounds with a hint of jazz, country, soul, folk that includes memorable melodies, catchy hooks, meaningful lyrics, and sweet harmonies mixed with piano, drums, bass and guitar. We both come from completely different backgrounds so our influences are all over the place.”
A little background on Suzanne: Suzanne grew up outside of San Diego in Lakeside. Music became a part of who she was at a young age from attending church with her large family of 9 siblings and grandparents. Through her siblings, she was exposed to a variety of musical styles and genres, which shaped her musical influence. Other than some singing lessons from one of the ladies from church at age 16, and some“ stage” experience singing Karaoke, Suzanne’ s natural talent was finally