Led by powerhouse vocals from singer-songwriter Sue, the Sue Menhart Band fuses traditional southern rock and old-time blues with new millennium pop to create a unique live sound. Indie-Music.com recently awarded the band its prestigious “Top 25 of 2010” distinction for excellence and achievement in independent music.
Sue’s songwriting style hints of Lucinda Williams – simple and true, but her live show has the passion and energy of a Bruce Springsteen concert with wild stage antics, jokes ...
Led by powerhouse vocals from singer-songwriter Sue, the Sue Menhart Band fuses traditional southern rock and old-time blues with new millennium pop to create a unique live sound. Indie-Music.com recently awarded the band its prestigious “Top 25 of 2010” distinction for excellence and achievement in independent music.
Sue’s songwriting style hints of Lucinda Williams – simple and true, but her live show has the passion and energy of a Bruce Springsteen concert with wild stage antics, jokes and bluesy improvisation.
Comfortable in a concert hall like Toad’s Place, New Haven or in a quiet acoustic corner at a local Borders, Sue has been entertaining crowds all over New England, for years.
Sue’s voice reminds listeners of Susan Tedeschi and Bonnie Raitt, but yet according to IndieMusic.com, is “a totally original and distinctive voice.”
In late 2007, Sue’s dissatisfaction with her day job as a computer analyst in the corporate world, coupled with the breakup of yet another cover band, prompted her to sit down and simply, write. She recruited some musicians from work and her neighborhood to play on the album, they practiced in her basement, and recorded the songs in a barn attached to an old New England farmhouse in Griswold, Conn.
The resulting album, “Torn,” expresses everyday emotions about decisions people make at crossroads in their lives. “Torn” has received airplay on WCNI New London at Connecticut College, WPLR in New Haven and WATD in Weymouth, Mass. The band has performed live in the WCNI studios numerous times, and appeared on the Time Warner Cable 6 live music performance show, “Poughkeepsie Live.”
The follow-up “Gypsy Soul” EP is bolder and poppier than “Torn.” It includes a song about a blue collar girl’s transformation into a gypsy every night for her man; an upbeat welcome home song for our U.S. fighting men and women; a Tina Turner-ish retro dance tune; and a wedding song to end all wedding songs – “The Choice.” Sue’s softer side shines through on “The Choice” as she also picks up piano playing duties.
Sue participates in local New England songwriting showcases including the “Sinners Circle” out of New London, Conn. and “Songwriter Sessions” held at the Vanilla Bean in Pomfret, Conn. Sue appears on the Year One compilation “Sinners Circle” CD released in Dec. ‘09.
Studio and Touring Band:
Kevin Clark – Drums
Kevin’s style is dynamic and powerful while he draws on experiences from marching band drumlines, and country, pop, disco, rock, jazz and blues bands. His #1 influence is Mighty Max Weinberg.
Dave Foret – Bass
Citing John Deacon as his #1 influence, Dave has a knack for finding the pocket, remaining true to the song, and keeping the live show moving.
John Jeff – Guitar
Jeff Beck, Pat Methany, Carlos Santana, and Jimi Hendrix top this British boy’s influence list. He’s self-taught and has a passion for composing rock/jazz instrumentals.
Bill Quinn – Keys, Guitar
A highly sought-after touring and studio musician, Bill has performed across the country with numerous recording artists and is currently having a great time with the Sue Menhart Band.
Visit Sue at www.suemenhart.com.
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