Suzen Juel: Life is an Art

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:                School II, Chanhassen, MN
Time:                 Wednesday, October 13th @ 7pm

Suzen Juel was born in Milwaukee, WI into a musical French family heritage.  Her father played spoons and the washboard.  Juel's mother was skilled on piano, banjo, and guitar, and she was also a painter.  Her first guitar was handcrafted for her by her grandfather.  Juel took three months of guitar lessons, but when her instructor wanted her to sing, Juel was so scared she went home and informed her parents she would not return.

She began playing the piano as a five year old.  When her parents' visitors asked if she was taking lessons, her parents would inform them that she played by ear.  This upset the five-year-old Juel who would insist, "I do not use my ear to play the piano!"  But that is exactly how Juel has developed her musical abilities.  She never learned to read music, so her repertoire is strictly original works.  She is currently working on a new CD of storytelling types of americana/folk/blues songs with titles like "Drinking the Wrong Man Right."  She sings with a dry, throaty sound and has been referred to locally as "our own Lucinda Williams."

In 1989, Juel was living with her family in Michigan's upper peninsula.  Her gut told her a move to Minneapolis would be the right thing for her.  She left home with her guitar, a stranger she met the night before, and a one hundred dollar bill.  She crashed on the stranger's couch until she got her footing in a new city and was able to venture out on her own. 

For a period of time, Juel was in a band opening for Tina and the B Sides.  She very much admired Tina's drive and worked up the courage to approach Tina with a cassette of her music.  Shortly after, Tina called to say she would love to produce Juel's music.  Nothing became of the exchange, but it sparked something in Juel.  Six months later, her band dissipated and Juel began a solo career.

Juel can be found performing for a global audience through Second Life.  Second Life allows Juel to perform from the comforts of her own home, earn as much, if not more, for her shows and be accessible in many countries.  She spends her mornings painting, and her time on stage projecting all the emotion she can offer to and absorb from her audience.

Find out more at www.suzenjuel.com