What novel shapes of disconsolation might emerge from the artistic entanglement of a gifted scientist-composer and her young collaborators? Susan Feingold's 'Old Love' conveys the bittersweet history of a relationship that might have endured to final times - a thing surrendered to uncertainties of circumstance, lingering only as a museful influence to later acts of creation. The title deftly expresses the dual distances of thwarted desire; temporal and spatial in mysterious conjugation, each gone ancient in its human scale, walls to sequester time-tranquilized urgencies of past passion where perhaps they belong. Independent reporter Brandon Scott recently caught up with the talented artist to talk about her experiences in life and the music that resulted from them.
BRANDON: When did you first get that feeling that your music career was gaining momentum?
SUSAN: When I found a top-notch group to record my cabaret songs!
BRANDON: Your song 'Old Love' is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
SUSAN: It blew me away! ‘Old Love,’ as sung by the amazing Sonya Headlam has always had that effect on me.
BRANDON: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
SUSAN: ‘Old Love’ summarized a long relationship, from its very beginning to my final realization about it.
BRANDON: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
SUSAN: My adventures in life and love fuel my music. I love writing dark music about romantic adventures that did not end well. Actually it’s loads of fun saying, ‘Bamm – you’re over!’ I’ve also written about decisions to go to off, at the drop of a hat, to a foreign land. I wrote an operetta about going off to care for an ailing woman, my very best friend – despite her partner saying ‘Impossible. Don’t Come!’ Not surprisingly the name of the operetta is ‘An Adventure in Southern Spain.’
BRANDON: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…)
SUSAN: Most of the above! ‘Old Love’ was serious. Writing music for me is often complicated, because I have to get just the right sound. I am also fun-loving, because sometimes I use my music to tell jokes.
BRANDON: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
SUSAN: My team is the greatest! We all worked together to produce beautiful recordings in record time. Kudos to Kelly Crandell, pianist and team organizer – for introducing me to the amazing Sonya Headlam without whom all this would never have happened. I should add that the members of my team are all doing advanced degrees in musical performance. So the understanding they bring to my music is very deep - which explains why Sonya, who should be doing gigs all over the world, is first finishing a doctorate in voice. You can hear the results.
BRANDON: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
SUSAN: My father had a great singing voice and was once asked if he would like a try at pro singing. Being a realist, he said he was not handsome enough.
BRANDON: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
SUSAN: The most rewarding thing about being an artist is that rush I get when starting to compose something new. The most challenging is getting it to sound exactly right!
BRANDON: Who are your role models in music?
SUSAN: Vince Peterson, with whom I have studied now for two years, is my role model. Vince is an enormously gifted composer and teacher. He has broadened my horizons and taught me not to be afraid of expressing who I am. I only work with my busy recording team after a song has passed the Vince test. Other composers and performers who have had a big influence on me: Kurt Weill (Three Penny Opera), Randy Newman, Eric Clapton, Leonard Cohen, Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, and Miley Cyrus.
BRANDON: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
SUSAN: My most memorable performance was when the team recorded ‘Old Love’. I said to Sonya, ‘think Pirate Jenny from Three Penny Opera’ – and she did!
BRANDON: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
SUSAN: Listen to all the music you can. Let it seep into your pores until it is part of you. I often use what I call a ‘jumping off place’: a point in someone else’s music to start me off on a new song. But these places become transformed, become mine. I can’t ever explain to other people where I jumped off from though I can quote chapter and verse to myself. Every songwriter has something they want to tell you, whether it’s about The Dixie Flyer or Both Sides Now. I don’t meditate or philosophize; I write about the emotions that surged in my adventures, romantic or otherwise.
BRANDON: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
SUSAN: I am working on a new single called ‘Requiem for a One Night Stand.’ I can hear Sonya nailing it, with her polished voice and intimate understanding of my lyrics. It will be the first song on an up-coming album called ‘Champagne.’ I’m taking the title from a quote from Coco Chanel I have always liked: ‘The two times I drink champagne - when I’m in love, and when I’m not!’ You can always see what I’m up on my blog, www.susanjfeingold.com, including performances, current projects, and thoughts about music in general.
BRANDON: Thank you so much for taking time out to speak with us about your illustrious career in music and ambitious plans for the future. You are a talented artist and we are sure great things are on the horizon!
http://www.susanjfeingold.wordpress.com
