Susan Barry Wendelken

Hey kids, this page was pretty much been set up as an online "audition" for gigs, recording work, etc. First time listeners as well as friends are welcome to drop a note on my message board (whether it's serious or silly...It's all good!)

**** CLICK ON THE "NEWS" link ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE PAGE FOR A LIST OF UPCOMING PERFORMANCES ****

Here's my silly bio:

Susan Wendelken began singing in clubs in 1989 with an array of New York area bands. Over the years, she garnered countless rave reviews from local, national, and international publications for her work with the band One Step Beyond. The band received airplay on many radio stations, and were played on The Howard Stern Show. Among other honors, One Step Beyond were chosen to open for Black Sabbath on the Levi's sponsored local band stage at the Jones Beach Theater. Their music was featured in an award winning independent film, "Playing With Mr. Greeley" and in "The X Games". After a showcase at Rockergrl music festival in Seattle, Courtney Love called Susan "charismatic".

Susan has worked with many great local acts as well as members of national acts like King Missile, White Trash, and Grammy nominated artist Joaquin Lievano. In 1999, Susan joined the celtic-rock band ALTERnaTRAD and began playing the local Irish music scene. Their combination of traditional Irish music and rock & roll struck a chord with the press and soon generated a sizeable fan base. Since that time, Susan has worked with many high-profile artists on the Irish scene. This has included singing at weddings and special events with the Andy Cooney Band, performing with musicians from The Lord of The Dance, members of Cherish The Ladies, and Steve Holloway, whose percussion was featured in the soundtrack to the motion picture, "The Brothers McMullen". Susan also plays keyboards with the popular NYC retro/funk band One Groovy Coconut.

Susan's influences range from classic heroines like Bessie Smith and Aretha Franklin to modern day artists like Bjork and Tori Amos. Her love of all forms of music is evident in her riveting performance. She has been compared to many great singers, including Tina Turner, Sarah Vaughn, and Anne Wilson from Heart. Susan is currently working on a compilation of recordings she has done over the last few years of session work.

I'll play anywhere they let me. My favorite gig right now is probably New Haven, where the Yale students put their brains on hold for the weekend in favor of drinking, dancing and screaming at my band as if we were freakin' rock stars.

I really listen to just about every kind of music, from Pantera and Slayer to Annie Lennox and Rufus Wainwright.

I play some keyboards, and use a Roland TR-61 work station. Favorite microphones (in no particular order) are the Shure Beta 58, the Blue Encore and the Sennheiser e-935.

You will never hear me doing some awful wanna-be Mariah-Christina-Beyonce vocal that I hear about a million female vocalists aping because they don't know themselves or what they're capable of. Ladies, where are your guts???