New England Americana 2014 Featured Artist: Susan Cattaneo
We caught up with another performer from this year’s New England Americana Festival. Susan Cattaneo will be playing the fest this year on Saturday at 1 PM on the River Stage. Check out all she has to say about the fest and what it means to be “Americana”.
1) “Americana” has become the go to term for arguably every genre under the sun. How you do feel you as an artist falls under that umbrella? Where do you pull your inspiration from? What is the style of music that you most closely relate to?
SC: I think the wonderful thing about the broad boundaries that encompass the “Americana” label is the musical freedom that comes from being able to dabble in all these musical genres. My new album, Haunted Heart, contains elements of old style country, rock, alt country, folk and blues. I think I’m most inspired by artists who are considered “songwriters’ songwriters”; artists that run the musical spectrum from Joni Mitchell to Bruce Springsteen to Gillian Welch to Kim Richey. First and foremost, I think I am a lyricist, and so my style lends itself more to the image-based or story-telling that you find in country or folk music, but I’m also certainly not afraid to plug in and make some noise.
2) New England Americana and the Fest firmly plant their roots and morals in “community” and attempting to bring that community together in this big once a year event. The event is a culmination of a community of musicians and artists that is going on all year in other forums and gigs and so forth. What does that community mean to you and how does it effect you as an artist?
SC: The life of a performing artist is lonely sometimes, and finding people with like interests musically is like coming home to family. Being a part of the NEAF has meant a great deal to me not only because I’ve found musical kinship with these musicians, but because I’ve found a community of people that I genuinely like. It feels wonderful to be part of something where the end goal is to share the joy that music can bring.
3) Music festivals, in general, are fairly well known for surprise sit ins, improvisational jams and collaborations. If you could see any two of this year’s acts collaborate on stage at this year’s NEA Festival, who would you like to see?
SC: Hmmm, so many choices and so many collaborations already happening – the round with Mark Whitaker and David Gallagher and Brian Carroll sounds pretty awesome. A Tallahassee / Old Jack combo would be pretty fun and rocking too…
4) What local releases are you listening to right now that you think folks should be listening to as well? Any independent acts that really make you say “wow”? Friends that you want a broader audience to dig into?
SC: Oh, this is a hard answer, since I have a lot of favorites. I really like Ian Fitzgerald – I think he’s a great writer. Also Jenee Halstead is wonderful. And Greg Klyma and Ryan Fitzsimmons are in a new band called Citizen Slim that I like a lot. And Girls, Guns and Glory are super fun to listen to. Also, I know that Dennis Brennan is going back into the studio to record an album so I will definitely be on the lookout for that.
5) So, what do you have coming up either before or after the festival? Any shameless plugs you want to make whether it be shows, recordings, or anything at all?
SC: First of all, for anyone who hasn’t heard my latest record Haunted Heart, go and take a listen to it. I have a page on my site (link to: http://susancattaneo.com/albums/haunted-heart/) where you can listen to the record and read all the lyrics. Second, on November 18 I am teaming up with a great Italian songwriter who lives in Austin, Giulia Millanta, and we are doing a show at Atwood’s (if possible link to: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/794269 ) Finally, my husband Dino is organizing his third annual Harmony for Humanity – Daniel Pearl Music Day show at the Lizard Lounge on October 10, I will sing a couple of tunes and many wonderful local musicians will also be performing there.
