Still riding the positive reception of their single "Create a Presence" on iTunes, Canadian band 2Suite is back in the studio working on the video for their inspiring song. Tom and Suzanne have graciously agreed to spare a few minutes of time to talk with us about their work, their inspiration and their pride at being a "green" band.
Your song Create a Presence is on iTunes. What other projects are in the works?
Tom: We just finished filming footage for our Create A Presence video and I will be editing that over the next few weeks. I will be doing the editing in my home studio as well using Final Cut Video editing software. We are a real grass roots operation and like to have hands on at every stage of the process. We will be performing at the second annual New Thought Conference here in Winnipeg in June along with Jack Fowler and Christy Snow, so we are definitely in esteemed company. We also plan to do a concert of our own in the near future. We are on the verge of recording our second single which will also be available for download in the itunes store. To date we have written 12 songs so there is no shortage of material. Our game plan is to release singles with a video to follow each one. A full CD is just too daunting of a project for us and releasing singles is much more rewarding as we see the progress and the product much more quickly. To us this is more encouraging.
So what is the creative process like for you?
Suzanne: I have an active mind and often have a number of musical ideas in my head simultaneously. My challenge can involve making sense of my ideas to structure my thoughts into an attractive musical sequence. Other times, the development of a song comes quite naturally, particularily when Tom provides the lyrics and the rhythm.
Tom: For me the process is quite simple. In fact I often feel that it is out of my hands and already predetermined. A song will come to me just about anywhere and I have to run to find pen and paper. In high school the essays and stories would just come pouring out of me and the teacher would say that I had possesed pen syndrome. I feel that most of the time the song already exists In my head and I am simply transcribing what is already there. Much like the sculptor claims that the statue is already hidden inside the granite and he just needs to release it from its stony prison. I do have the advantage however as I am a trained Audio Tech by profession and also own my own studio so I have the luxury of putting down a quick demo when inspiration strikes. My three decades of technical experience has been a real godsend and gives 2Suite a definite advantage. One example is that I was able to record, mix and produce our first single all in my home studio and create all the original artwork for it as well, on my Mac computer. 2Suite is very proud of the fact that we are GREEN artists in that we produce no hard copy. Everything is in the digital domain. No CD’S have been made, no paper printed, no ink. Some might say we are limiting ourselves in this way but we feel it is the way to go and I believe current industry trends will continue to prove that we are on the right track. In the end what really matters is that each of us do what we feel in our hearts is right and as far as 2Suite is concerned we are happy with who we are, what we are saying and how we are going about putting it into the world.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Suzanne: Tom has inspired me to risk stepping out of my comfort zone, and develop more creatively. I am blessed by his undying support and love as he witnesses my inate talent unfolding. His passion; thirst and drive to learn and develop are absolutely amazing.
Tom: Truly Suzanne is my inspiration. Everytime I write lyrics for a song or hear a song that I think we should do, I hear her voice in my head singing it. I look forward to Sundays because that is the day I get to play music with Suzanne and the fullfillment that comes from that is unequaled by anything else I have ever done.
Obviously you each draw support from the other. Besides each other, who have been your role models?
Suzanne: I have been inspired by the talent of my brother-in-law Dale and his skill in playing numerous songs with such ease. I have countless musical friends who have been key in enhancing my musical growth, particularly Joy Stadnichuk, and Marsha Laudinsky. My music teacher Ed Hildebrand inspired me with his enthuasiasm and encouragement and my voice coach Ora Walker helped build my confidence and ability to perform. As far as performers; Etta James is my icon.
Tom: I don’t think I could speicify role models because so many people have influenced me. I like to think that I take a little bit of what I like from all kinds of sources and they all combine with what I already am to guide me towards my inner vision of what I wish to be. I would like to add that since getting together with Suzanne I feel I am totally on the way to my true purpose in life. To inspire others through music.
Have you always wanted to be musicians, then?
Tom: I have wanted to play music since before I was born. I have been a professional audio technician for 30 + years but have always felt the beat of the drums calling me. I recently discovered that my great grandparents were of Austrian and Prussian decent and were acomplished musicans. I also recently learned that many of my aunts and uncles and my father were musicians. When I discovered this something inside of me clicked and I suddenly felt I had a right to pursue music as well. In the last 3 years I have taught myself drumming and basic music theory and look forward to all the learning and music making that lies ahead with Suzanne.
Suzanne: Music has always been a part of my life and I have always had dreams of performing. From a very young age, music was integral to our family gatherings. My parents were extremely supportive in nurturing my musical talent. Growing up in the small town of Steinbach Manitoba, I was exposed to a very talented and supportive musical community, and this also contributed to my development.
At this stage, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
Suzanne and Tom: We both agree that what we have accomplished with 2Suite in such a short time is something to be quite proud of. We have a song in the iTunes store, are in production of a video for that song, and perform at the Centre for Conscious Living where we are much appreciated. We have a vision and are living it. We wish everyone could be so lucky. We are honored and grateful that people like our music, come to see us play and support us. We are very proud of the songs we write and feel that they are truly songs of inspiration. The goal of art is, we feel, to inspire and from what people have shared with us, we think we are on the right path.
Do you deal with stage fright?
Suzanne: In my opinion, this is all a part of performing. Stage fright is a mysterious phenomenon at times. Sometimes before a performance I will feel confident about it and once I get on stage, my confidence has abondoned me. Other times I am frightened of performing, then get on stage, begin the first song, and forget about any doubts I once had.
Tom: I used to get tremendous stage fright and to some degree , I still get nervous. Having said that, I think this is a normal part of performance. I have worked with many big names in the music industry over the years and almost all of them have shared with me that they get butterflies before going on and many have said that the day that stops happeining is when they will be worried. A big part of being on stage and performing is being able to get through these things without the audience ever knowing. That’s the challenge most of the time and the more shows under your belt the better you get at it, it seems. Of course everyone has an off day and those are times you really learn to laugh at yourself and not take yourself too seriously.
Working together in a band gives you a lot of insight into a person. Describe each other's best and worst traits.
Suzanne: Tom’s best traits are his talent, wealth of knowledge, exceptional level of organization; his commitment, encouraging manner, confidence, joy in playing music and clear vision of where 2Suite is going.
Worst traits include: Preoccupation with politics, and his sometimes untamed (Tom prefers to see it as natural…) intensity.
Tom: Suzanne and I are not talking anymore so I can’t answer this question. (Just Kidding) Suzanne really has no bad traits that I can see. (Is being too loving a bad trait ?) She also tells the truth way too often and is overly supportive. Are you getting the picture? Simply said I am the luckiest man in the world and I know it.
On a more serious note, you've said that you want your music to inspire people to fufill their dreams. What do you get out of your music?
Suzanne and Tom: Singing about positive ideas and being genuinely positive really helps to reinforce that message for us. Somehow putting those thoughts to music makes it so much more real. I guess that’s why Daniel Levitin has noted in his books “This is your brain on music” and “The world in six songs” that music has been one of the most important factors if not the most important in human evolution through the ages. We truly believe this and realize the importance of what we say and how we say it through our music. We put a lot of thought into our music because we realize just how important the message is. We are in a position that we do not take lightly. Musicans have been held in high regard throught the ages and we realize we have big shoes to fill. We are grateful and feel blessed.
You talk about your audience fufilling their dreams. What are your dreams?
Suzanne: My dream is to touch the hearts of many others; to be genuine and fulfilled, in every moment.
Tom: Personally I am living my dream right now. I am happiest when 2Suite is making music. I wish we could be playing and writing all the ime. I started my musical career late in life (46 years old) and feel like a kid who just discovered the greatest thing on earth. Not to mention finding my dream girl in Suzanne.
One last question, and this is the obvious one. Why 2Suite?
Tom: Good question. I am a guy who has an endless supply of band names. I am constantly coming up with them. Suzanne and I were on the eve of our first performance and needed a name. I came up with 2Suite to refer to us being a duo and as a musical reference as in a suite of music. But really anyone who sees and hears Suzanne
singing will surely realize that she is too sweet. (and she really is.) It was the first name I suggested and Suzanne liked it right off the hop so that was good enough for me.
Thank you both for talking with us today, we wish you the best!
Tom and Suzanne: We had a lot of fun answering your questions. Thank you so much.
