Sue Menhart recently made Indie Music’s list of top 25 best indie band’s for 2010, and her song “Why You Love Me” a “Top 25 of 2010.” This prestigious award is presented each year in
January to honor excellence and achievement in independent music. The very best song entries receive nominations during 3 rounds of competition throughout the year, with Finalist Nominations officially announced in November. Top 25 winners are chosen the “old school” way – industry professionals on Indie Music’s staff and beyond carefully listen to each song with an ear towards great songwriting and performance. Winners receive premium front page exposure on Indie-Music.com a complete media campaign promoting the winners. Deadlines: Round 1 – March 31; Round 2 – July 31; Round 3 – October 31.
But who is Sue Menhart? What did she do to receive this distinction?
Having posted the article on Indie Music’s list of 2009’s top 25 indie bands, we have gotten a lot of attention. Most of this originated from a link that was posted on Sue’s site. Going to her website we followed a link which took us once again to Indie Music, the source of our original article. Here all 25 of the bands appear with photos and their respective genres. Sue’s photo appears in the line just above the pop-up player.
http://suemenhart.com/index.html
Following this link we arrive at Sue’s bio from which we glean that Sue may not be a household name, but this is not the first time she has received much deserved recognition. According to her bio she has been recognized:
Top 50 band in Fender Road Worn Competition.
Top 5 nominee Best Blues Band Hartford, CT Grand Band Slam 2009.
Top 6 nominee Original Rock Band Hartford, CT Grand Band Slam 2008.
Featured Artist of the Month CTLiveMusic.com October 2008.
The Sue Menhart Band is edgy blues and rock led by powerhouse vocals from singer-songwriter Sue. The live show has the passion and energy of a Bruce Springsteen concert with wild stage antics, jokes and jazz improvisation.
Sue is known locally in New England as the singer-songwriter with a million-man band – anywhere between five and ten guys show up at any given time to back her up. The band can rock a concert hall like Toad’s Place, New Haven, a roadhouse bar like Bank St. Cafe, New London, or quiet intimate acoustic cafes.
In late 2007, Sue’s dissatisfaction with her day job as a computer analyst in the corporate world, coupled with the breakup of yet another cover band, prompted her to sit down and simply, write. She recruited some musicians from work and her neighborhood to play on the album, they practiced in her basement, and recorded the songs in a barn attached to an old New England farmhouse in Griswold, Conn.
The resulting album, “Torn,” expresses everyday emotions about decisions people make at crossroads in their lives. “Torn” has received airplay on WCNI New London at Connecticut College, WPLR in New Haven and WATD in Weymouth, Mass. The band has performed live in the WCNI studios three times.
“Torn” and “Gypsy Soul” are available at CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, AmazonMP3, Napster, Shockhound, and at all live shows. Stream at Last.FM and iLike.
The “Gypsy Soul” EP is bolder and poppier than “Torn.” It includes a song about a blue collar girl’s transformation into a gypsy every night for her man; an upbeat welcome home song for our U.S. fighting men and women; a Tina Turner-ish retro dance tune; and a wedding song to end all wedding songs – “The Choice.” Sue’s softer side shines through on “The Choice” as she also picks up piano playing duties.
Studio and Touring Band:
Kevin Clark – Drums
Kevin’s style is dynamic and powerful while he draws on experiences from marching band drumlines, and country, pop, disco, rock, jazz and blues bands. His #1 influence is Mighty Max Weinberg.
Dave Foret – Bass
Citing John Deacon as his #1 influence, Dave has a knack for finding the pocket, remaining true to the song, and keeping the live show moving.
John Jeff – Guitar
Jeff Beck, Pat Methany, Carlos Santana, and Jimi Hendrix top this British boy’s influence list. He’s self-taught and has a passion for composing rock/jazz instrumentals.
Bill Quinn – Keys, Guitar
A highly sought-after touring and studio musician, Bill has performed across the country with numerous recording artists and is currently having a great time with the Sue Menhart Band.
Reviews:
“Menhart is a wonderful, natural singer, and the band is tight and equally robust. – Indie-Music.com
“One of New England’s finest practitioner’s of blues-rock,” Rick Koster, The Day
Sue has a “reputation for impassioned tunes and a cyclonic voice that summon echoes of Susan Tedeschi, Janis Joplin and Lucinda Williams.” – The Day
“Menhart is a powerful singer, make no mistake about it.” – Indie-Music.com
We would like to congratulate Sue and we wish he continued success. We have our eye on you.
For more video on Sue Menhart:
http://www.youtube.com/user/suemenhart
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