A Conversation with Susan Calloway

Susan Calloway preps the release of "Chasing The Sun."

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Classically trained pianist and vocalist, Susan Calloway has been performing her whole life; at least it seems that way to the Detroit native. She was barely out of high school when she started the popular local band, Red C, and went on to dazzle crowds throughout the Midwest and along the East Coast. Now on her own with an upcoming national solo release, Susan Calloway is ready to tear up the airways with her signature brand of inspirational alt-pop.

Mike Parker – You were raised in Detroit, a city that has fallen on some hard times of late. Has that affected the way you approach your music?

Susan Calloway – I think it has affected me two ways. When you live in a city where a lot of your friends are out of work, it is kind of an emotive thing. But it’s not just Detroit. When you see our country as a whole going through hard times it makes you realize we are all just a paycheck away from going through some very bad times. It has reminded me what is important, and those things are not tied to our income – family, friends, faith. It is a gut check for where you put your values.

Parker – I talk to a lot of artists who have been, quote – unquote, classically trained, and that phrase seems to mean a lot of different things to different people. What did your classical training involve?

Susan – I am a legitimately trained classical pianist. I did the competition thing and got some great scores. I had scholarship opportunities to a lot of schools, but I chose to stay close to home because I was in a band and school seem like a lot of studying about music rather than doing music. I wanted to do rather than study. I went to Oakland University. It’s kind of a baby sister to Michigan State. I’ve incorporated some of those classical sensibilities into my music. I think you can hear it more clearly in some of the acoustic stuff.

Parker – People have had chance to hear your music on such popular TV shows as “Dawson’s Creek,” “One Tree Hill,” and others, even if they may not know it’s you. How important is that kind of exposure to an emerging artist?

Susan – It is everything. I think that is especially true now because of the changes that are going on in the music industry. CD sales are dropping exponentially, which means consumers are buying online. To have your name out there through a TV show is just essential. People not only hear the song but they also associate it with the environment of the show. It doubles your ability to catch their ear.

Parker – You’ve got a new national release getting ready to launch. Tell me about it.

Susan – I’m very excited about it. The first single is called “Chasing the Sun” and it’s doing great. We put out a short record, and 7-song EP, that is available for download or as a hard copy on Amazon and on my website. We’re excited to embrace the new model in the industry and seeing what happens.

Parker – Fans sometimes look at the music video or the concert performance and get the idea that playing rock ‘n’ roll is all fun and games and four-star hotels. What is the reality?

Susan – Music is one of the hardest businesses to be involved in because there is so much unknown. If you go to school to be a doctor or lawyer you have the expectation that you will be working in your field. If you go to school to be a musician there are no guarantees. You can’t put your identity in your music because you will be disappointed.

Music can be a terrible business if you let it control your life. It’s 10 percent music and 90 percent business. You need to have business skills to go along with your talent. There are people who pursue music because they are interested in fame and wealth; but there are things that are more important in life. I prefer to use my music to encourage people to reach for their dreams, to be compassionate and to improve their lives.

Parker – What is your driving force?

Susan – I would have to say my faith. That is the thing that keeps me grounded and focused. It changes how I treat people and view my art. Because I believe that it changes how I use my talent. I feel honored to have the talent that I have and I want to use it as an encouragement.

Parker – Last words?

Susan – Mostly I just want people to know how passionate I am about this project. I want people to know there is more to me than just being an artist. There are not a lot of female artists who write, play and sing their own music these days. It allows me to be pure in my art and that is a cool thing to be able to do.

The Seven Questions

1. What’s your favorite sound?
Susan – The piano. It was my first instrument and I think it is magical.

2. What makes you happy?
Susan – Peace. Sometimes that happens in the middle of hard times and sometimes it happens during good times, but peace is always welcome.

3. What makes you angry?
Susan – Injustice.

4. What is the secret of success?
Susan – Faith. The nature of success is reaching for something that is beyond your capabilities.

5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Susan – King David. I am fascinated with his life.

6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Susan – “Finally completed.”

7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Susan – “Well done.”