Mandy Magro
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Bestselling Australian Author
'Mandy writes great stories…sexy and uniquely Australian!'
ADAM BRAND - AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST
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Susan Lily, Country Music Artist
| Posted on 16 April, 2013 at 18:03 |
G'day :) Today I'm chatting to the very lovely, and hilarious!, Susan Lily, about her life as a country music artist.  Welcome Susan, let's get to it… What inspired you to become a country music artist?
I always wanted to sing but never really made it out of
the bathroom until I could do I could do it comfortably. So naturally, I took the comedic road as a
stepping stone to becoming a music artist and songwriter. It’s normal isn’t? I was a standup comic for about 4 years and
during that time I stumbled my way through song parodies and original comedy
songs. I’d be so nervous about playing
guitar that I made it part of my act to get my fingers caught in the strings on
the fretboard or drop my pick. I also
learned how to own a stage as big as any football field so the first time I
sang with a band my personal space felt invaded LOL!! Can you tell us a bit about your most recently released album, or song? “Miss You Much” is the third single from my debut album
BUTTERFLY (out on CD baby) and is a song about missing my childhood and my
home. I grew up (mainly cos I can’t get
any lower) in a little town called HAY in outback NSW. I used to escape down the river with my dog
(Snoopy), peanut butter sandwiches, a book, a drink and when I ran out of food
I’d go home. Being down there gave me a
sense of freedom and adventure. It’s
hard to do that when we are grown up (though my inner child is still very much
alive and kicking).
What are you
working on now? Yesterday my songwriting mojo jumped in front of me when I was walking
to the tram stop. It sidetracked me with
lyrics and melody which soon found themselves recorded to be worked on
later. So now I’ve got two new songs
that are shaping up really nicely.
I recently quit my day job, packed up an entire house, donated gear to
charities and friends, moved cities and, embarked on a beautiful new
relationship with a man I’ve adored for a long time (sort of stuff you’d find
in a romance novel *hint*). So, not
much really!!!!
My priorities are wide and varied.
I’m beginning to network for gigs, muso friends and, venues. I made my debut last night at The Governor
Hindmarsh Hotel and they almost needed a big hook to get me off stage. I’ve gone from being a very shy child to a
stage junkie haha.
I’m also busy with job applications, songwriting and arranging, plus
rehearsing for the other open mikes that I’m planning to play at. I’d love to say that I have time to smell the
roses but I can’t find any at the moment so I will just have to be happy with
dancing in a pink tutu on the back of a white rhino (lol).
 Have you got a
favourite song that you sing? If yes, what is it?
Believe it or not I love to sing my first single! It’s called “Got the
Monkey Off My Back” and was released in Dec 2006. I never tire of it and so many people know me
by it PLUS like or love the song. It’s
my most requested song and such a blessing to me as it’s given me a foot inside
the door of the country music community radio circuit.
It was one of those songs that literally wrote itself. I had been talking about how great I felt
about a burden that had gone from my life and a work mate said that phrase to
me. on the way home in the car it
suddenly popped into my head, lyrics and all.
I had nothing to record it with so sang it over and over til I got home,
ran up 17 steps, opened my double deadlocked front door, and found my cassette
recorder.
Six months later I began working with my producer (Paul Norton) on which
song to use as my debut single. I was so
embarrassed about what he’d think of the song that I nearly didn’t play it for
him. He surprised me by saying that it
was the best one to release and that was one of my first valuable lessons in
songwriting for commercial release. I’ve
felt great about it ever since and I’m not sure there has been a set where I’ve
not played the song. Swag or room service for a
romantic date? Does
room service come with a room or would we be parking or in the bushes? I’m a tomboy at heart so I do know my way
around a swag. I like comfort but that’s
why I replaced the standard mattress with a you beaut self-inflating insulated
one (plus it’s really great fun to try and deflate which can also lead to
romance....oops! am I giving away too
much? ;) ) Holden, Ford...or something else? My pride and joy was a beige brumby ute.
I know! People used to laugh at
me and say it was a “pretend ute” but I loved that beast. I’d had it for six weeks the day it became a
roo destroyer. $6245.10c later I had the
front end of it put back together and then went on countless adventures across
NSW and into Victoria. I used to make
jokes about having a beige “uterus” (cos all the boys out home would call their
utes that moniker) . I was a popular gal
for awhile. Then tragedy struck me when
I was t-boned by a truck flying out of a servo driveway. I’m very lucky to be alive but sadly Rufus
(his name) didn’t make it. I cried the
day the panel beater said he couldn’t repair him and asked if I could have a
few moments to say goodbye. I will admit
the scene of me splayed out on the bonnet crying must have looked a bit
strange. I wanted to give them all
something to tell their grandchildren.
I have dreams you know, dreams of when I’m old and have bright pink or
purple hair. I’ll be an old crazy lady
on a pushbike. I’ll have bright pink
lipstick on my teeth and my skirt tucked into my pants... at the front....
yeah, dreams eh. Something to look forward to! Favourite Food? Yes! Haha. I am partial to savoury foods. Don’t leave an open packet of barbeque or
pizza shapes anywhere near me if you want one.
I’m also very in love with silverside and white sauce with mashed potato
plus I do enjoy bangers and mash. I’m
also known for my love for Sticky Date Pudding.
So well known in fact, that it’s no secret to anyone anymore. I even have people on FB commenting about it
whenever the chance arises.
 Favourite Movie? That’s a tough question: I’d have
to say that comedies are my favourite genre.
The Castle would have to be one of a number of “number one
favourites”. Thoroughly brilliant and
quintessential Aussie movie.
Favourite Aussie
saying? “tell ‘em they’re dreaming”
If you could have a
kangaroo, koala, wombat, crocodile, galah or python as a pet which one would
you choose, and why? I’d have a galah as they are not as stupid as people make out. I’d train it to say silly left-of-centre things
during conversation
Who would you like to
trade places with for a day, alive or dead, and why?
Dolly Parton. I’d love to spend
the day at Dollyworld being in-charge If I looked in your fridge right now what would I find? A sad looking shelf where the chocolate used to be. Craziest thing you’ve ever done?
We had a bad taste party once and decided to get dressed up BEFORE we
went to the supermarket to get our food supplies. I had green eyebrows and all my hair was
plaited in various directions across my head.
I’d made a tutu and wore it over mismatched clothing and footwear (yeah,
odd socks and shoes). We danced around the aisles singing any ads we could
remember. Then at the checkout when the
girl asked “are youse guys having party?”
we replied “nah, we’re having a quiet night in front of the telly” If you were going on holiday tomorrow, where would it be? I’d love to go to Texas, both for the music scene and the cowboys! Four words that describe you… Quirky, silly, fun, crazy
Thanks, Susan, it's been fun chatting! If you'd like to find out more about Susan Lily please stop by one of her pages… Facebook page Susan Lily fanclub group FB Susan Lily blog Until next week, keep smiling and dreaming! Mandy xoxo |
Categories: Country Music