This month Claudia caught up with DWFF's new vocal soloist, Recording Artist, Susan Calloway


CLAUDIA: Where are you from originally?
SUSAN: I am from Detroit and still live there! My career involves a lot of traveling, which I really love. Right now I split my time between Detroit and New York.
CLAUDIA: How many Final Fantasy video symphony concerts have you performed?
SUSAN: Only two shows so far …but I am told there are more coming which is very exciting!
CLAUDIA: What do you remember most about the performances?
SUSAN: It was so amazing to be performing with a live symphony, especially the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. They fill the stage with so much beautiful musicianship. To be a part of this and add my voice to the mix was quite spectacular. It was one of the coolest things I have done as a performer.
CLAUDIA: Would you consider yourself a gamer?
SUSAN: No, I actually don't, although I appreciate how fun they are. I'm afraid I would get hopelessly hooked if I started!.
CLAUDIA: Is anyone in your family?
SUSAN: My little sister plays a little. She was really thrilled when I became involved with Final Fantasy, as she is a fan of the game.
CLAUDIA: Can you describe the concert atmosphere?
SUSAN: The crowd was not your typical classical music crowd. That’s for sure. They were so passionate it was hard to believe. You would really have to be there to get the full picture. Even before I started singing, there was so much anticipation. This is great energy for a performer to draw on and really sets the stage for a fabulous performance. You feel like you are immediately among friends. It was very special. The audience was so appreciative and enthusiastic about every song that was performed. They loved every minute of it like they wanted it to go on forever.
CLAUDIA: What else did you notice that wasn’t typical in a symphonic concert audience?
SUSAN: I couldn’t believe how many young people there were …even teenagers ! It was great to see them so appreciative of classically driven music. It goes to show you that great music will always rise above the trends. Great composition will always touch people’s souls. It was cute to watch them conducting the orchestra from their seats. The passion was refreshing.
CLAUDIA: Did you like the music of Nobuo Uematsu?
SUSAN: Yes! I have come to have a great appreciation for his style and great musical hooks. He is definitely one of the great composers of our day.
CLAUDIA: How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a recording artist?
SUSAN: Sometimes I feel like music chose me more than I chose it. Since I was nine, I have always been singing and writing music. It is a natural expression of life for me, like breathing. I write songs even when I’m not writing songs. Do you know what I mean?...in the middle of the night, while I’m out with friends, at the grocery store. You name it. It is the way I absorb life and the stories that I see playing out around me everyday in my family, my friends, even stranger. Life is this great adventure filled with drama big and small. I just capture it and reflect it back.
CLAUDIA: Who are your greatest artistic influences?
SUSAN: I love all kinds of music: Bach, Debussy, The Beatles, Karla Bonoff, Aretha Franklin, Kate Bush, Daniel Lanois, U2, The Fray, Prince, Mary J Blige, KD Lang. .. there are many different influences for many different reasons ! I love a variety of stuff.
CLAUDIA: Was there one performance you attended as a kid that inspired you or is particularly memorable?
SUSAN: I remember going to see KD at the hill auditorium a few years back. I was in this rock band at the time and I heard her sing and it was so all about the voice. Her energy just filled the room. That was a special show for me. I knew I had to get back to what I was at my essence: a singer…all about the voice. Let the voice be the thing, the center. That’s when I left the band and started really focusing on my solo career
CLAUDIA: Do you have any upcoming CD Releases?
SUSAN: Yes!! I released my first solo CD, “Chain the Sun” on Sept. 21. I was very fortunate to have some of the greatest rock musicians in the Country work on this record with me, including legendary Bass Player Tony Levin, who is known for his amazing work with Peter Gabriel. The single we released a few weeks ago, “Divided”, is moving up the charts and in to heavy rotation on top 40 Radio stations all around the country. We are very excited to launch this project as it is being so warmly received. My website has all the latest info for fans, including a cool fan club, susan store, videos, blogs, forum, and more!

Please visit susancalloway.com for more information about recording artist Susan Calloway!