interviews

Susana

Hi Susana, it's great to have you on Trance Hub. We are excited to have you here and would like you to answer a few questions:

You have sung a Trance song almost after 2 years, a visibly long gap. Can we expect more biggies in future like you do with Armin van Buuren?
I most definitely hope so! And even though it might seem like a long gap, If You Should Go was actually already recorded in 2006 and I performed the song live last year during Armin Only in Rotterdam (Netherlands). But you are right, we have been taking it rather slow. That might be explained by the fact that I'm kinda new to the Trance scene. The first ever Trancetrack I recorded was Dark Side of the Moon for Ernesto vs Bastian in 2004. Until that moment I had been singing mainly in pop/rock and alternative music bands so you could say that Dark Side was my introduction into the Trance scene and since that moment I have been discovering this new territory. And because of Shivers and the live performances I've done I have been indulging even more in this scene and its been getting more and more fascinating to me. I've also been in and out of the studio a couple of times working on other tracks but not everything you do inside the studio gets released out there. So I would say I've kind off been trough a process of discovery which has now made me reach a point where I strongly feel I want to engage more actively in Trance music and its something I feel passionate about. Therefore we (me, Raz Nitzan and Adrian Broekhuyse) have been working on new material lately. I cant say anything concrete about that yet but there is definitely more to come in the future!

How does it feel to work with Armin, one of the top DJs today? That's great of course.
Yeah, that's great indeed. What more could I wish for? He wasn't chosen #1 DJ of the World without reason. I've gotten to know him as a person who is really focused on what he does. And everybody will confirm his seemingly everlasting smile when he is working his magic on the turntables. Its obvious he enjoys what he does. And even though he is way up there at the top, it's a real down to earth person. I think it is that combination which has made him so successful. So, yeah, I am very happy to work with him!

How do you define a beautiful voice and melody? Do you have a particular singing style?
I don't think a clear definition of a beautiful voice or melody can be given. To me a beautiful voice or melody is one that sounds honest and real and that knows how to capture certain emotions, one that knows how to touch you. And about me having a particular singing style... well, I am not sure if I have one. But people have told me my voice sounds quite powerful and that it carries a lot of emotion. And they might be right about that. Because when I am in the studio to record something for example I first try to find the right emotion for the song and I really try to connect with that emotion. I believe it's necessary to really feel the vibe of the song, to really connect with it, because if you succeed at that your vocals will automatically sound more honest and pure.

If provided, will you sing for some of the biggest Rock bands in the world? Or will you lend your voice only for Trance tracks?
Well, as I explained I have sung in pop/rock bands before and the first album I got addicted to was Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill. And although I have been falling in love with Trance, my affection - so to speak ;) - towards rock and alternative music has never disappeared. I also listen a lot to Latin music like salsa, flamenco, reggeaton etc. so my influences are very diverse. So, if provided, I am definitely not opposed to working with artists outside the realm of Trance, like for example Coldplay, The Killers, Incubus, Shakira or John Mayer! ;) And I think Trance/electronic music could lend itself easily for Flamenco influences, so maybe that's something to try some day!

Here's rather a strange question, do you aspire to spin behind the decks any day? Jennifer does that! Doesn't she?
Yes, she does! I think that's really great. The world could definitely use more female DJ's! And I think it would be real fun to have someone teach me some skills on the turntables. It must be a great feeling to be the one who gets people on their feet to dance. But to be honest I think I would make a lousy DJ! ;) First of all I wouldn't be able to make up my mind about which songs to play.. there are so many great tracks out there! And it may look easy, putting on records, but I believe it's a real art to mix the right sounds at the right time.. not give away too much to soon, slowly build up the sound and atmosphere to keep the crowd excited... but who knows!

With a career in singing, which places have you given your live performances and which performance has been the best so far?
I have done various performances abroad, for example I performed with Ernesto vs Bastian in Ibiza and I have been to Malta to perform Shivers and Dark Side of the Moon there. I have also done a couple performances with Armin at his two Armin Only events in the Netherlands and in New York and Los Angeles past summer. And I just looooove to perform!! Its such a special feeling to be up there, in front of all those people, getting a rush not only from the music but also from the crowd... I'm not usually a person who likes to be the centre of attention.. but when I am on stage I just get this rush of adrenaline.. it is the best feeling in the world! And I've enjoyed practically all the above mentioned performances. But I've got special feelings about the first Armin Only I did and about the performance in New York last summer. First of all New York is a really fantastic city and the location of the show - an old pool in a park in Brooklyn - was also special. I cant really explain why that performance has such a special meaning for me but there was just this great atmosphere and I felt really comfortable on stage. And when I did Shivers I heard everybody sing the lyrics with me, they knew every word! I hadn't experienced that before and I think it was only then that I realized the magnitude of Shivers, it was only then that I realized Shivers really has been listened to all over the world. That is still something which is hard for me to grasp... :) And after that performance I mingled with the crowd myself to party, to let myself get carried away by Armin's set... yeah, that was definitely a great night!

Do you think female vocalists are overshadowed by the popular DJs while performing live before a big crowd? How does the crowd respond to the female singers especially when they go for both, her voice and her looks? Do you think it is vital to look beautiful as a singer?
Well, first of all I have never felt overshadowed by any DJ I performed with. Of course you are aware that people come to see the DJ and not necessarily to see you perform but for some reason I've never felt out of place. And the responses I've received from the various crowds have been just great in general. Even though there are still people who have to get used to the whole idea of live performances by Trance vocalists - at least, that's my impression - I think lots of people enjoy getting a glimpse of the person who's behind the vocals of their favorite tracks. And as for your question about good looks being vital.. its an interesting one and an issue that has been subject to a lot of discussion already, I believe. And as much as I dislike it, nobody will deny that in show business in general appearance is important. Especially so in the pop music scene, because usually there they are looking for idols that make teenagers admire them and want to be like them, dress like them and buy all their albums and goodies. However, I feel that in the Trance scene there is less focus on the looks of the vocalists. I'm not sure why, maybe because it's usually rather the DJ who's the centre of attention than the vocalist. But I think it's a positive thing. Because personally, if a singer or artist looks fabulous but has a horrible live performance or can't really sing live then that's a real turn off for me and the beauty of the artist wouldn't be able to make up for that. So I would say that looks are relevant, but not vital. Vital for a vocalist, in my opinion is talent, radiance and good live performances. I believe that when the focus is more on those elements and less on having the right looks it adds to the authenticity of any music scene.

We read somewhere that you are studying Latin American Studies. Now this is exciting to know!
Yeah, until last summer I've actually been a fulltime student at the University of Leiden (Netherlands). A few years back, when I was 18, I went to Peru for a couple of months to learn Spanish there and to travel and that has been such a great experience for me that I decided I wanted to know more about Latin America and its politics, language and culture. Right now I'm in the stage of finishing up on my Bachelors thesis and I would like to go on to get a Masters degree in International Development Studies as well.

Tell us something about your friendship with Jennifer Rene, you both seem to share a good chemistry on your photos?
Yeah, definitely. We met this summer when Armin invited us both to do live performances with him in New York and Los Angeles. The funny thing is I had been listening over and over to one of her tracks, Wouldn't Change a Thing and not long after that I found that she would also be performing with Armin in the States. We have only been around each other for a couple of days there but because you share such a special experience you get close pretty fast. We have had a wonderful time and I think that's what shows on the pictures. She is a fun girl to be around and she is very talented. I think her voice is one of the most original voices of the Trance voices out there, it really stands out. So I hope we can do more performances on the same stage in the future! :)

Which Electronic music artist would you like to collaborate with? Any admirations for other female vocalists who sing Trance tracks?
Oh dear. There are sooo many DJ's out there. Tough question! But I guess I would have to say I'd collaborate with any artist who writes a great mindblowing track! And as for female vocalists, I've already mentioned Jennifer's voice as one of my favorites at the moment and I also love Nadia Ali's warm sound. I especially like her tracks Rapture, Who's Watching and Is It Love. Oh and lately I've been listening a lot to Imogen Heap, she is not really a Trance vocalist but I think her voice is very special, love it :)

Trance music involves a lot of parties; clubbing etc. So, of all the countries you've visited which according to you has the best clubbing culture?
I guess I have to say I've seen the best parties in my own country, the Netherlands. However, being on a beautiful Island like Ibiza or Malta gives a night of clubbing an extra dimension. But in the end it's the DJ and his music which makes or breaks a good night out in a club, and as good DJs tend to travel the whole world, that could be anywhere!

We would like to know what you have heard about Indian music, Indian Culture and its people.
Well, I love to travel. I think besides singing traveling is my other passion. And already at a pretty young age I decided I would like to go to Asia - and especially India - sometime. So a couple of years back me and two friends planned to travel India for three weeks in the summer. But for some unforeseen reasons we've had to change our plans so in stead we went to Thailand. But getting to know India and it's culture is definitely still on my travel wish list because I believe it's a real beautiful country with lots of cultural and historic heritages! When I think of India I think of lots of colors, of Gandhi, of Hinduism and Buddhism, of the caste system and of course of Bollywood :) But as I already mentioned, I would love to go there some day and see it all with my own eyes!

We thank you immensely for embracing Trance Hub with your beautiful words. Trance Hub wishes you great luck in future. May your melodious voice bloom in everyone's heart forever!

For more info related to Susana check out the following links:
www.myspace.com/ssssusana

Written by: Apoorv
Compiled by: Mr. Yank