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LINDA SUSSMAN is a New York-based award-winning singer-songwriter whose music crosses boundaries of alternative-folk and blues. Her stirring vocals are backed by her strong rhythm and fingerstyle guitar, with a touch of slide. With songs that span universal themes, from heartache and triumphs to calls for social justice, her music has ranked #1 on the Roots Music Report's weekly Alternative Folk Album Chart and is shared on radio programs internationally. The many stages that Linda Sussman has played range from the iconic NYC venue The Bitter End to the more intimate Radio Bean in Burlington, VT. Between 2018 and 2023, Sussman released four full-length albums and a handful of singles, with her These Walls album ranked #5 on the Roots Music Report's Best in 2021 Album Chart (Alternative Folk genre). Sussman typically performs as a solo artist, though on occasion she can be heard with any combination of her stellar band, the Linda Sussman Collective, especially her right-hand, lead guitarist Mike Nugent. [Listen to Linda Sussman's music on all streaming platforms.]
Writing in styles that cross genres, Sussman's January 2023 single release, DON'T LET IT RAIN, is a wistful ballad about longing, forgiveness and healing that blends folk-blues with a touch of jazz. The instrumentation is a trio of acoustic guitar, fretless bass and electric guitar. Sussman notes, "So often, people remain estranged from loved ones because they don’t know how to move beyond hurt and anger. The lyric about the "open stretch of sky" at the end of the chorus refers to the time and distance that have come between them. But, at least in this song, a reunion looms on the horizon."
SHAKE IT LOOSE TODAY, Sussman's latest album (her fourth in five years), was released in July 2022 and is steeped in hope, passion and vulnerabilities. The nine new tracks range from rockin' blues to alt-folk to ballads. Shortly after its release, Shake It Loose Today ranked #1 on the weekly Roots Music Report's Top 50 Alternative Folk Album Chart (wk 9/24/22).
In October 2022, Sussman released her bold single, A POWER YOU'LL NEVER KNOW, in support of women's rights and in response to the US Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v Wade. [Video]
Sussman's 2021 THESE WALLS album, an eclectic mix of alt-folk and blues, also charted #1 on the Roots Music Report (RMR)'s weekly Top 50 Alternative-Folk Album Chart (wk 4/3/21) and is ranked #5 on the RMR's Top Alternative Folk Album Chart for the Year 2021 . [Video/track medley]
Marking her expansion from contemporary folk to blues is her PASS IT ON DOWN album (rel. 2019), ranked #20 on the RMR's Top Contemporary Folk Album Chart for the Year 2020. Sussman's approach to blues is heard on her tracks "Truckload of Blues," "Cryin" and "Chasin' That Train."
After a 10-year hiatus from all things music, Sussman returned in 2018 with her contemporary folk album EVERY ROAD, a collection of 11 tracks, spanning the feel-good "A Little Bit of Heaven" to "Not In My Name," the first song she wrote for immigrant rights.
Sussman has shared her music over the years at a wide range of venues, inspiring audiences to sing along on her crowd-favorite, relationship-rebuilding song "Layer Me Up," groove to "Tomorrow Blues," check in at a personal level on "Will You Hold My Hand" or "Pass It On Down," have a bit of old-time blues fun in "My Baby" or step away from the daily news in "Let’s Just Boogie." Check out all of Linda's albums on all streaming platforms and the CDs/Store page.
• 2nd Place Winner: 2021 ASSV4U Songwriting Contest
• INTERVIEW with Illustrate Magazine
• INTERVIEW with RGO (beneath the review)
• THE CROSSROADS OF VERSE — music & poetry program with poet Emily-Sue Sloane
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Major influences in Linda's songwriting:
Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Holly Near, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and so many others!
Linda's guitars:
Martin 00-16DBM
Martin OMC-15ME