FRI, SEP 27, 2024, 8 PM at LEFRAK CONCERT HALL
BIOGRAPHY
Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the early 1980s folk revival when accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has been known for performances that convey deep emotion, with NPR Music noting that she “has been making vital, inventive music” throughout the course of her decades-long career.
Bearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognizable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago.
Suzanne Vega’s latest offering, “Rats”, chronicles the infamous rat population of her hometown, the September 2024 release of which coincides with New York’s first Rat Summit. Accommodated by an animated video from filmmaker Martha Colburn, “Rats” offers a glimpse at a forthcoming 2025 album.
Vega’s 2020 album, An Evening of New York Songs and Stories, is a live recording that incorporates familiar songs like “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner”, deep cuts from her catalog and a cover of “Walk On The Wild Side” by her late friend, Lou Reed. The mix of repertoire also features “New York Is My Destination” from Lover, Beloved: Songs from an Evening with Carson McCullers, Vega’s 2016 album from her one-woman play about the Southern gothic novelist Carson McCullers. A filmed version of Vega’s play had its world premiere at the SXSW festival in March 2022 and features songs by Vega with music by Duncan Sheik.
Vega’s debut album was co-produced by Steve Addabbo and Lenny Kaye and achieved platinum status. “Marlene on the Wall” was a surprise hit in the U.K. and Rolling Stone included the record in their “100 Greatest Recordings of the 1980s.”
1987’s follow-up, Solitude Standing elevated Vega to star status. The album was nominated for three Grammys (including Record of the Year), sold three million copies worldwide and included the hit “Luka”. The album’s opening song was an a cappella piece, “Tom’s Diner,” about a nondescript restaurant near Columbia University. Without Vega’s permission, it was remixed by U.K. electronic duo DNA and bootlegged as “Oh Susanne.” Suddenly Vega’s voice was showing up in the most unlikely setting of all: the club. She permitted an official release of the remix of “Tom’s Diner” under its original title, which reached #5 on the Billboard pop chart.
Continuing to battle preconceptions, she teamed with producer Mitchell Froom for 1992’s 99.9F, the sound of which inspired descriptions like “industrial folk” and “techno folk.” Certified gold, 99.9F won a New York Music Award as Best Rock Album. In 1996, Vega returned with the similarly audacious Nine Objects of Desire, also produced by Froom. In 2007, Vega released the Grammy award-winning Beauty & Crime, a deeply personal reflection of her native New York City in the wake of the loss of her brother Tim Vega and the tragedy of 9/11. Vega’s love for the city shines through as both its subject and its setting, and she mixes the past and present, the public with the private, and familiar sounds with the utterly new—just like the city itself.
Learn more: https://www.suzannevega.com/
Gerry Leonard is a Dublin born guitar player, songwriter and producer now based in upstate New York. As part of the New York scene Leonard’s distinctive ambient style has led to his working with many great artists over the years. A highlight was becoming music director / guitar player for David Bowie on his last year long “Reality” world tour and DVD (2003/2004). Apart from Bowie’s previous two records, “Heathen” (2001) and “Reality” (2003) and the subsequent tours, he is also featured on the penultimate David Bowie record titled “The Next Day” and had two co-writes with David on the album, “Boss of me” and “I’ll take you there”. “The Next Day” came out on March 12 2013. Gerry was honored to be part of the Brit Awards Tribute to David in Feb 2016.
Leonard produced and helped co-write the last full album for Suzanne Vega. “Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles” came out in Feb 2014 and has been very well received garnering 4 star reviews from Q and Mojo music magazines. He has also produced and arranged the new album from Suzanne based around the life and works of the author Carson McCullers. This new 10 song album called “Lover Beloved” was released in the fall of 2016.Having just come back from Spain where he worked with Manolo Garcia for 2 months, playing stadium shows in all the major cities in Spain and starting work on Manolo’s new record, Leonard is currently touring with Suzanne Vega promoting the last record and previewing the new “Lover Beloved” material. The current show is a duo show featuring the sublime vocals of Ms Vega and some more “Spooky Ghost” style arrangements of her songs, that are using Leonard’s unique style of looping and ambiences. Highlights include stripped down versions of “Blood makes Noise”, “Tom’s Diner” and “Jacob and the Angel” from the last record. The shows have been receiving standing ovations on the current world tour.
Learn more: https://gerryleonardspookyghost.com/