Page 79 - ION Indie Magazine MarchApril 2022

MH: As I've mentioned before, I am now following you and your career, and I know we
touched base a little recently about your music. Tell us about your new music single release.

SK: ‘A Better Man’ was recorded in LA at my producer's home studio back in 2021 but released on
Jan 18th of this year. It was inspired by the true story of a male friend of mine who was going
through some spiritual awakening that was helping him to make some positive life changes. It was
a very challenging time for him, but we spoke in depth about all the realizations he was making and
how although he couldn't change the past, he could start making better choices moving forward.
That discussion made me realize that he wasn't alone and how many men don't have that
opportunity to speak openly about their feelings. As females, we confide in our girlfriends, but I don't
think many men have those kinds of relationships and that results in a lot of it being internalized
and not necessarily being dealt with or resolved. I am hoping this song inspires people to open the
conversation about men's mental health and the importance of having support systems in your life
to help guide you.

MH: Suzi, do you have a specific writing process? How do you decide to write a song?
Inspirations?

SK: All of the songs I have written and recorded have started alone. I am usually inspired by either
a personal experience or a story someone has shared with me. On rare occasions, as with 'Gotta
Feelin,' the song just pops into my head, and I quickly record the idea on my phone using a voice
memo. The lyrics and melody always come at the same time, but I usually find that I have parts of
the song come and later have to sit down and complete a second verse or bridge. Once I have a
basic structure for the song, I send the idea to my producer Brent, and we work on it together from
there. Brent and I have a great co-writing connection in that I can give him the bare song and he
transforms it into an entire production with his arrangements and the incredible musicians he is able
to bring on board to play on the tracks (including himself).

MH: I like to ask these questions to other artists sometimes. Why is it that every genre of
music eventually gets divided into a new sub-genre? What style of country/country rock
music do you feel that you are personally embracing…or not?

SK: I started out doing rock because it is my favourite music to listen to and essentially what I grew
up on. When I started working with Brent, he helped me realize that what you listen to and who you
are as an artist can be completely different things. I have found a great balance by being a country-
rock artist. I feel it allows me to express both sides of my personality.

MH: What do you think you've learned in your music journey throughout your years?

SK: I have learned that knowing 'why' you are doing this is the most important factor. When you are
clear on your reason it helps you decide on your direction. It will also be the reason to keep you
going when things aren't always going as planned. I have also learned to set goals, but never be
attached to them. You need to be flexible when things don't work out and trust that there is usually
something even bigger and better than what you had planned. I would also say that knowing and
loving who you are is one of the most important factors of finding happiness and success as an
artist. You will meet many people who will want to give advice and opinions and there is nothing
wrong with listening to others, but when you are clear on who you are and your set of morals and
standards you will know when you can and cannot compromise.