SUSU is a “one and only” type band. The smoldering New York City septet features firebrand
female lead vocalists and songwriters Liza Colby of The Liza Colby Sound and Kia Warren of
Revel In Dimes. Both are rock n’ roll provocateurs of the highest order. Together, they seduce
and spiritualize on the band’s 5-song debut EP.
There is a tribal sensuality that oozes from the grooves of SUSU songs. West Indian ancestry,
bold femininity, and explosive sexual energy course through a swirl of sound that spans
smoldering Peter Tosh and King Tubby-inspired vamps, monster Nina Simone silky
sophistication, Ted Nugent-style riffage, and Tina Turner swagger.
The embers of this rock n’ roll wildfire were first stoked three years ago when the Liza Colby
Sound and Revel In Dimes merged as Revel Sound for select NYC shows including a coveted
residency at legendary haunt The Rose Bar at Gramercy Hotel, a jaw dropping performance at
Webster Hall, and an exclusive appearance at sought after artist enclave The Surf Lodge. “It’s
been organic. We kept growing as creative partners and slowly discovered the duality in our
power of writing together. When Ilegal Mezcal granted us the opportunity to record, it just
seemed like the logical next step,” Kia says. Liza chimes in: “You don’t know what you don’t
know, and we certainly didn’t realize how much we needed each other. To see another woman
of color fronting a rock band, and considered her a contemporary set a powerful, positive
example not only for us but also for other women; as women always need to see women
supporting each other.”
The name “SUSU” is a tribute to Kia’s Jamaican roots and Liza’s Caribbean heritage. SUSU is
a Patois term loosely meaning to create “a chatter around something” which is indeed what the
group will do with its incendiary soul-rock revue.
SUSU is centered on the creative interplay of Kia and Liza as singers, performers,
songwriters, and complementary creatives. Liza affirms: “With us, everything happens in an
telepathic way, it’s intuitive who takes the top and who takes the bottom harmony.” Kia and Liza
sing together seamlessly, shifting positions with unplanned ease, and the interlace of the
tonality of each’s voice stacks together eerily perfect as if two have become one. “SUSU = US
US.”
Liza comes from a hard rockin’ psychedelic sensibility, and Kia offers a sweet contrast with her
slow-burn bluesy indie-rock aesthetic. SUSU songs traverse rock and soul with eccentric
lysergic twists. The band counts The Pointer Sisters, Dr. John, Betty Davis, Captain Beefheart,
and Roky Erickson as inspirational.
Lyrically, Liza and Kia explore a variety of political, personal, and emotional arcs. “We aren’t
shy about being black women in rock n’ roll,” Kia says, with a hearty laugh. “People can take
away what they want but there is an aliveness, an awareness, and a spirituality to these songs
that are both timeless and timely.”
SUSU recorded its EP at Niles City Sound Studio in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas with
producer/engineer/drummer Josh Block (Lola Kirke, Leon Bridges, Nicole Atkins) along with a
posse of ace musicians who brought SUSU songs to life in the studio. Collectively, SUSU’s
studio musicians have played with Ben Harper, Chris Stapleton, Billy Gibbons, Ari Hoenig,
Miranda Lambert, Derek Trucks, John Fogerty, and White Denim, among others.
For Kia and Liza, SUSU is a powerful addition to their lives both onstage and off. “We work
really well together,” Liza acknowledges. “This is not the end of the Liza Colby Sound nor the
end of Revel In Dimes.” Kia adds: “I can remember our first show, looking across at Liza and
watching people respond to the music in real time. From there a strong energy wave rippled
further and further out and now; here we are, SUSU.”
Susu has an upcoming performance at “Berlin” in the East Village on Friday, February 14th.