INTERVIEW: Suzi On Her Latest Track And Finding Comfort In Songwriting
Photo: Ruby Boland
Melbourne’s transcendent songstress, Suzi, has unleashed a brand new coming-of-age Australiana-rock tune that everyone who’s ever been young can relate to.
‘Everyone I’ve Met Hates Me’ is a track reminiscent of waking up after a few too many bevariginos and the crippling hangxiety has hit you so bad that you never want to leave your house again. Kicking off with a commanding guitar-driven solo, before rising into a full Aussie-punk anthem, Suzi’s vocals rip through the track exposing each grain of truth.
Whilst Suzi is as multi-talented as they come, her knack for sonic storytelling through her own personal experiences transcends listeners into a world where everyone can relate in some way, shape or form and ‘Everyone I’ve Met Hates Me’ proves just that.
Join us as we chat with Suzi herself all about the new track, her comfort in writing music and what her ideal creative environment looks like!
Hey Suzi, what’s going on in your side of Australia?
Hello! I am currently in lovely Melbourne and things are feeling pretty normal again. Gigs are finally back and I have re-established myself as a local at the pub. It is getting pretty cold though.
For anyone that hasn’t delved into your music, describe it to us in 5 words.
Sad, in a cool way.
Now, you’ve just released an elegantly gritty new track titled ‘Everyone I’ve Met Hates Me’, can you talk to us a bit about the track? What does it mean to you and how did it come about?
Thank you! I wrote this song after a conversation I had with an old housemate of mine. We both have major anxiety and we started chatting about that awful feeling you get after a huge night on the bevs where you know you went a little too hard and were a little too confident. We bonded over the feeling of literally never wanting to talk to anyone ever again and hide in your bedroom forever.
I initially wrote the song and recorded it as a voice memo that we could listen to when we were in that situation, and I never really intended on releasing it. I posted a little snippet to TikTok where my producer and friend Dean Tellefson heard it and absolutely INSISTED that we record it immediately. I was already in the studio recording a bunch of other tracks with him, but we kind of put everything on hold for it. We were so passionate and excited about it, so we finished it together and the rest is history.
What do you want listeners to take away from the release?
The most common thing people have said to me after hearing this track is “oh my god, I thought I was the only one who felt like this”. I think it’s really cool that so many people can relate, and maybe feel a little less alone in their thoughts when they hear it.
The whole premise is that it’s a pretty hectic thought that everyone in the whole entire world hates you - and it’s probably not true (even when our brains convince us it definitely is).
Can you run us through your typical writing and recording process?
I write all of my songs in my bedroom (most likely in my bed, in the middle of the night) on an acoustic guitar (very quietly so as to not disturb my housemates). Music to me is very much a therapeutic tool and most of the time I’m just spilling my thoughts on top of some chords. I try to write everyday to keep the juices flowing.
Once I’ve got a few songs up my belt I chat to my producer and we get to work.
I record all of my tracks at Wrangler Studios in West Footscray with Dean. He is such a nice person and an absolute creative genius. A lot of the time I come to him with a concept/chorus/verse and he helps me turn it into a full blown real life song. We often lose track of time and spend ridiculous hours in the studio working on things. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Your lyricism is a huge stand-out in your songs, does that part of your craft come easily? Is there a sort of therapy involved with song-writing for you?
You’re too kind! Writing lyrics is definitely my favourite part of the whole process. I never really sit down and think ‘ok i need to write a catchy song with relatable lyrics that everyone will love’ - I really only write when I have something on my mind that’s chewing at me, and selfishly I only do it for myself.
I turned to music when I was a teenager and I felt like I had no one to talk to or anything to find comfort in, and I think that really impacted the way I deal with my emotions and feelings to this day. Songwriting is still very much a part of my way of coping and processing things. There’s nothing better than finishing a song and stepping back, taking a deep breath and feeling relieved that you’ve gotten it all out.
What does your ideal environment look like when you’re getting creative?
I absolutely must be in my bedroom and ideally I have just had a big cry because that is when I generally get the most out.
Now you’re gearing up for your national tour kicking off late May, what are you most looking forward to?
I am so excited to finally take the band on the road! It’s the first time I’ll have a full band with me in all of the cities, so I can’t wait to play my music the way I intended it to be heard. I’ve also never really been able to travel a lot of Australia, so I’m excited to see some new places and explore a little bit.
It’s been lovely chatting with you Suzi! Thanks for hanging out and we will catch you at your Brisbane leg of tour!
Thank YOU! See you soon!
'Everyone I've Met Hates Me' is OUT NOW on all streaming platforms!
SUZI AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR
Friday, May 20th - The Grace Emily, Adelaide | TICKETS
Friday, May 27th - Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney | TICKETS
Saturday, May 28th - Vinnie’s Dive, Gold Coast | TICKETS
Sunday, May 29th - O’Skulligans, Brisbane | TICKETS
Friday, June 3rd - The Eastern, Ballarat | TICKETS
Saturday, June 4th - Workers Club, Melbourne | TICKETS
