By Jim Barber
There has all the time been a deep wellspring of authenticity, actuality and strikingly sincere self-exposition within the songs of critically lauded and profoundly gifted Canadian singer/songwriter Suzie Ungerleider.
Working beneath her earlier nom de plume, Oh Susanna, from her earliest days within the late Nineteen Nineties crafted a status for compelling songcraft and exceptionally evocative, emotional stay live performance experiences because of the darkish sweetness of her voice and the relatable, revelatory nature of her music.
After shedding the pores and skin of her former model, Ungerleider launched the critically-acclaimed album with the title My Title is Suzie Ungerleider – a press release of intent that has opened her creativity as much as limitless potentialities as an artist, and as a human.
Her new album, Among the many Evergreens, sees Ungerleider stripping again any sense of pretense, as an alternative opening up fairly intimate elements her personal story in a fashion that’s as autobiographically correct as it’s startlingly relatable.
As with many songwriters, there isn’t essentially a time limit the place Ungerleider decides, ‘okay, now I’m going to jot down a brand new album.’ As a substitute there’s a constant artistic course of that finally results in what may be described as a tipping level, when she realizes there’s sufficient new materials to maneuver right into a extra deliberate album making course of.
“As quickly because the earlier document is completed I’m like, ‘okay, I’ve received to begin once more.’ However that doesn’t imply I do it. I imply, it’s not a concerted effort. It’s extra like chipping away, principally. Like my final document, I made a decision by no means to attend till the entire document is written. I made a decision, okay I’ve received a couple of songs, I’m going to document them and see how they really feel. That motivates me to do extra as a result of it then turns into a extremely enjoyable course of. Doing it the opposite means, ready till they’re all achieved is sort of daunting. In order that’s how I did this one, and I wasn’t even conscious of the connective tissue between the songs,” she defined.
“In actual fact, like the best way the document is organized into that ‘then and now,’ cut up over two sides and even the subjects of the songs, I wasn’t actually pondering I used to be going to jot down concerning the issues that I did. It simply occurs. Or in some instances I believed, ‘properly, right here’s an concept. However I don’t know if I ought to write about this.’ Among the different stuff is not any huge deal. It was only a sample that I noticed after I ready the songs and I may sequence the document in sort of a story trend. And it was actually enjoyable and thrilling to see that each one play out and find yourself being the way it did.”
The album’s identify, Among the Evergreens, is in reference … and fairly probably reverence – for nature and the way Ungerleider attracts inspiration from strolling by way of the tall bushes within the Vancouver space. She sees her life, and the assemble of the album, resembling bushes in that there’s a stable circularity to them within the rings of bushes, however that these rings, as they construct on high of each other, additionally characterize years lived – with every ring being impacted by the general well being of the tree. A season of wither and drought results in slender rings, whereas years of abundance and well being result in wider rings.
“I write in my head as I’m strolling. Not a lot from scratch, however I could have an concept that I’ve been engaged on after which I’ll exit for a stroll, as a result of I’ve a canine, so I gotta go for a stroll. And I’m fortunate as a result of I stay close to the Trans Canada Path so I’ll go there rather a lot and I could also be mulling over lyrics. I keep in mind for the track ‘The Wilds’ I used to be attempting to kind out the lyrics whereas I used to be strolling alongside the seashore in the future,” she stated.
“That was a part of the draw of shifting again right here was to be in nature. I began to really feel like that was increasingly essential to me, whereas once I was youthful although I had all this water close by and it was regular to have all this nature round, it appeared boring, so I made a decision to go the large city place [Toronto] however then I began lacking doing walks in nature, so I moved again right here. Being right here since 2019, I’m beginning to notice that being in nature will get me right into a sort of trance. And for me, that’s actually essential in writing, being in a sort of reverie. And it’s a lot simpler to get into reveries in a hypnotic state if I’m round nature, particularly if I’m shifting in nature.
“Possibly it sounds cliché, however issues change, or they’ve cycles. I may be in the midst of one thing and it feels utterly disastrous, however then one thing else will occur and it will get resolved, or it can transfer into one other place of pleasure and lightweight, or that softness is okay. Nature jogs my memory of that.”
Ungerleider’s music has all the time been deeply private, enchantingly lyrical, open, sincere and eminently accessible. For her, it’s additionally been powerfully cathartic expertise – much more so since dropping her earlier creative moniker and going together with her personal identify professionally.
“I feel it’s refreshing. There’s all the time instances while you would possibly get right into a artistic battle, like a track not working within the studio, or one thing occurs and also you’re filled with doubt and it’s emotional. However most of that’s balanced out by the excessive of making one thing and placing it on the market. I keep in mind what a good friend of mine as soon as stated to me that the method of writing, even in case you’re not doing confessional kind music, it’s simply very cathartic to be arising with one thing new and unique,” she defined.
“And you understand, I’ve a lot of doubt the place I’m like, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ve to begin once more. I don’t know how one can write a track any extra. How am I going to jot down a track that I like once more?’ However then there’s the precise feeling of accomplishment – ‘I did it’ – which is kind of superb. And I get enthusiastic about it and it seems like every little thing is stuffed with potential. Though there’s that second after while you notice, ‘oh, I’ve received to do it once more.’ Simply while you’re feeling nice about what you’ve achieved, ‘I did these items and it’s fantastic, however I assume I’ve received to do it once more.’
“And the understanding that I’ve to do one thing once more that’s going to imply one thing to me and I’m going to love it or really feel happy with it or that another person goes to love it. And at instances that may be an enormous block for me. So I attempt to put these emotions apart and simply give attention to the concept and simply belief myself and belief within the tales I’m all the time fascinated by. I’m all the time fascinated by tales; it’s a pure factor for me. I don’t really should work that tough to jot down one thing, although I feel I do. I simply let go of those concepts that it’s laborious and the way I’m going to fill this clean web page and all these sorts of fears, or that I’m not working laborious sufficient and never working at my craft on a regular basis, as a result of really, I discover that once I’m enjoyable and never working, and even fascinated by working, that’s when the concepts come and I get impressed. It’s these methods that I attempt to discover to make it pleasurable and invigorating, as an alternative of the burden or strain of getting to do one thing. Making a document is stuffed with potential, full of pleasure after which comes the purpose of unveiling what it’s I’ve achieved, as a result of I don’t actually know what I’ve achieved till I hear the entire thing again.”
It doesn’t get rather more private than speaking about key moments in your personal life, together with songs that probe into the yin and yang of the connection between husband and spouse [Ungerleider’s husband is noted drummer Cam Giroux] or of that between a mom and her daughter [Ramona].
The division of the ten songs into ones from the previous and ones from current is a good way for Ungerleider to give attention to very particular episodes from her life, together with the fantastically evocative track ‘Juniper’ which is about being in love, after which the equally compelling ‘Mount Shasta,’ the narrative of which revolved round an argument between she and Giroux. Equally, the track ‘I’m Sorry & You’re Proper’ is riven with battle between mom and daughter and but can be so stunning in its portrayal of sincere and remorse and miscommunication and the will to wish to do higher and be higher – with out all the time figuring out how. ‘The Wilds’ comes from the admiration Ungerleider has for her daughter’s energy and distinctive character and the hopes she has for her future.
“Just lately I stated to my husband, ‘I’m about to go and carry out these songs and I’m going to be on a stage speaking concerning the songs, and I don’t wish to do something that’s going to make you uncomfortable or say something that feels prefer it’s crossing a boundary.’ However he stated he trusts me. And I stated the identical factor to Ramona and he or she stated it was okay too. However I’m cautious about it. Typically it’s simple to say one thing for the sake of fun and generally it’s simple to get swept away by the impression you’re making or the narrative you’re telling. And what you’re saying might not really be true, but it surely received’t be clear to the individual on the present who doesn’t have the microphone and isn’t telling the story that it’s not true,” she stated.
“It’s a delicate problem, and it’s going to be one thing I consistently should remind myself to watch out about – the truth that they’re not right here to inform their model. So these songs actually are my perspective. It’s probably not what occurred, it’s what I feel, what I perceived occurred, or what I’m speaking about or the emotional side of what occurred, from my perspective.”
‘I’m Sorry & You’re Proper,’ just about hits the feels of anybody who has had children, or who has been a child. But the universality of the subject material makes it relatable sufficient to most anybody. It’s the element, the descriptiveness, the shading and colouring and textures created by the lyrical setting that makes the track an emotional dynamo. Finally these extremely private, relationship-oriented songs aren’t about proper or unsuitable, or pure love, however concerning the gray areas, the muddied waters of life and family members, the decision of battle, – actual life, actual household stuff in all its hues.
“In fact that track began from an actual factor. Loads of it is rather actual. However I keep in mind pondering, am I actually going to jot down a track like this? As a result of I simply had this kind of melodic concept after which the ideas, the phrases began popping out, particularly ‘I cornered you within the rest room.’ I’m like, ‘am I actually going to sing about that?’ It feels bizarre, as a result of it really occurred, and it was a selected second,” Ungerleider stated.
“Simply studying these phrases is bizarre. It felt actually unusual firstly to do this. After which I stated, properly, it’s what’s in my head, I want to simply belief that it’s going to work out. And that’s the opposite factor that I’ve realized; generally I would write and I won’t really do something with the phrases. They’re simply one thing I want to jot down, they usually is probably not for public consumption. I feel that’s what I stated to myself once I was writing that track, and that helped me to be open for something.
“At factors within the track, it’s kind of lighthearted sounding. But it surely wasn’t. It captures this second the place I felt like I used to be displaying a extremely ugly aspect of myself in that second. After which to jot down it into the track, I ponder, ‘is that moral?’ Or is it that I’m simply being cute? Am I simply taking it simple on myself by writing a track saying, ‘I’m sorry,’ however am I really going to be higher? It nonetheless goes by way of my thoughts ‘am I going to stay as much as these phrases or is that this only a humorous little anecdote?’ So, yeah, there’ve been difficult moments of writing and I’m consistently asking myself what I’m going to disclose and the way a lot am I going to say about it.”
The selection to jot down, document and launch music beneath her personal identify invoked a way of freedom from the restraints of the expectations of others, permitting for a extra versatile artistic course of, the place the one boundaries have been ones imposed by Ungerleider herself. A part of this got here from the truth that as time, and life and the universe, modified and developed, Ungerleider discovered herself tapping into her personal questions and quandaries increasingly as sources of inspiration.
“There’s been a giant shift for me from attempting to sing songs that sound like what people songs are about, which have a sort of reality to them by way of their telling, however that are extremely fictionalized. I assume it was the Lady in Teen Metropolis document [2017] the place writing about my very own particular life actually opened the door to the place I may really feel individuals actually connecting to this new specificity. Now individuals speak about this on a regular basis, so it’s not an enormous concept within the higher scheme of issues that one thing that’s particular to the artist turns into resonant for different individuals. However I actually started to really feel it – I felt this encouragement and this emotional connection once I began singing songs that have been very a lot autobiographical and that inspired me to go additional,” she stated, including that it’s extra the depth of this self-examination is what’s actually grow to be extra pronounced during the last two data.
“I’ve all the time been motivated to precise issues that I really feel strongly about after which I hope that different individuals will really feel that too and join with it. It’s not all that totally different in the present day, it’s simply that what I’m revealing is extra overtly private. However I notice there are other ways to method songwriting. Not everyone seems to be writing to have this deep, private, emotional connection. They’re attempting to jot down to have enjoyable and create pleasure or one thing to bounce to. However I’m doing stuff to mine feelings and get nearer to feelings and so if I’m feeling emotional about what’s popping out, then that’s a very good signal, and I ought to transfer in direction of that, even when it feels embarrassing or susceptible or unusual, or even when I don’t assume it’s going to imply something to another person.”
In an age when ‘branding’ is every little thing and linked to so many issues outdoors of the particular artistic output, Ungerleider admits there was a bit of trepidation earlier than selecting to emerge from the cocoon of her former identify.
“I had combined emotions about it. I don’t remorse shifting. A part of the explanation why I blew it up was as a result of my music didn’t actually match the branding any extra. And in order that felt actually bizarre to maintain utilizing this identify that indicated a complete slew of issues that didn’t match what I used to be fascinated by or doing and the fashion I used to be in, or the songs I used to be writing. After which there’s the truth that it [the name was based on a well-known 19th century American song] conjures up minstrelsy and slavery and repression, that was sort of the tipping level of eliminating it. So, it did really feel liberating to do away with it, but in addition scary,” she stated.
“I took me some time to get used to having my identify be, like, the official artist identify as a result of I’ve all the time felt, ‘what does it imply to anyone else.’ I do know what it means to me as a connection to my household and my ancestors and issues like that. However that was kind of a personal, private factor. And now it’s my public identify, which feels nice, but it surely additionally feels a bit of bit nebulous. I can’t management what individuals see or assume, which is sort of the scary factor to really feel such as you’re giving up management over. And I feel that’s what I used to be doing firstly, controlling how individuals would body me.
“And at first it was completely appropriate and it felt actually good, like that was the place I wished to be. After which because the framing started to really feel unsuitable, I needed to let it go. But it surely has liberated me in that I don’t really feel constrained to make sure sorts of music. I feel I’ll proceed to make music that’s, you understand, folky and acoustic – it’s not like there’s any hazard of me making a dance document. But it surely permits me to be extra private about it, and once I’m onstage, I don’t should create a thriller persona anymore. I can simply be a model of myself once I’m on stage, which I feel additionally helps with connecting and letting me inform tales verbally, not simply by way of the music, in a means that I might be if I used to be conversing with a good friend.”
Since her Oh Susanna days, Ungerleider has labored steadily with famous Canadian producer/songwriter Jim Bryson, with the 2 as soon as once more getting collectively to masterfully produce Among the many Evergreens.
“I assume we first began our relationship of producer and artist once I made Title Dropper, in order that was 2012. We began to do this album, however we didn’t fairly end it or launch it for a couple of years as a result of I had breast most cancers [in 2013]. So it was 2012 once I got here up with the concept of him producing that challenge, after which we’ve achieved the previous few tasks collectively fairly constantly. But it surely’s not like I’m speaking to him on a regular basis. I’m off writing alone after which we talk as pals, however then once I say, ‘let’s do some recording,’ it’s go time. So it’s sort of natural that means,” she stated.
“We’ve been pals since 2001 or one thing like that. So we had a decade or extra of simply being pals earlier than we began working collectively. In actual fact, the concept of him producing is sort of out of left discipline as a result of he wasn’t actually producing data on the time. I simply actually appreciated his weirdness and that he would take me in a special path than what another person would possibly. I knew he wouldn’t do the standard stuff that another producer would do. And since we all know one another so properly, he may be fairly sincere with me and vice versa. Typically that’s a difficulty as a result of because the individual pouring their soul our within the studio, I desire a little bit of coddling or no matter, and it doesn’t all the time occur. I imply, we’re sort of like siblings in that means. However total I feel it’s been good. And I belief his judgement and I additionally belief his tempo of labor. For probably the most half, we just about agree on how issues ought to go.”
After greater than 25 years within the music trade, and with a robust sense of introspective function, it’s going to be an fascinating journey for followers and Ungerleider herself to see – and listen to – what comes subsequent.
“I’m nonetheless studying. I’m nonetheless studying how one can be human. I’m nonetheless studying how one can be in relationship with different those who I care about. And even with the broader world, I’m nonetheless studying. I feel I’m fortunate, too, as a result of as an artist, I’m in a world the place all of that studying and rising is allowed. I’m allowed to navel-gaze. And I notice I’m so blessed as a result of that’s one thing that only a few individuals can do – it’s not a part of their work to be navel gazing, however my work encourages that,” she stated.
As for seeing and listening to her stay, plans are underway for some touring in Canada and different elements of the world over the subsequent yr or so.
“I’m doing a document launch present in Vancouver on June 19 and I’m attempting to get my shit collectively to come back to Ontario in October, so keep tuned for that. I’ve some Alberta dates booked for March of 2026 after which I’m going again to Europe in April and Might of subsequent yr and possibly the UK as properly,” she stated.
For extra info, go to https://suzieungerleider.com/.
- Jim Barber is a veteran award-winning journalist and writer primarily based in Napanee, ON, who has been writing about music and musicians for greater than 30 years. Moreover his journalistic endeavours, he works as a communications and advertising specialist, and is an avid volunteer in his group. Contact him at jimbarberwritingservices@gmail.com.
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