Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Suzanne Santo on touring with Hozier, working with Gary Clark Jr., and finding “home” in Austin, Texas
After almost 20 years in Los Angeles, Santo set off for Austin, Texas. “I took a leap, which I hadn’t done in a long time,” she said. In advance of her new album Yard Sale, we caught up with the Texas-based artist about the experiences that informed the record and how she’s made herself at home in the Lone Star State.
YOU WROTE A LOT OF THE MUSIC WHILE ON TOUR WITH HOZIER. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?
The requirement to play in Hozier’s band is you have to be on your game in terms of musicianship. It was another level I needed to be at for someone else. From that alone, my guitar playing and singing improved; my voice had never been stronger. I almost went up an octave. For any musician to have these huge stages and extreme travel as part of your life … it was just a really fascinating experience.
HOW DID THAT GROW YOUR TOOLBOX AS A MUSICIAN/PRODUCER IN TERMS OF YOUR SECOND ALBUM?
When you expand your musical vocabulary, it’s going to translate to how you create and how you write. It’s a dragon I’m always chasing—during COVID I took violin lessons on Zoom and it was a game changer for me.
WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO TEXAS?
I moved here during the blizzard of [February] 2021. It was nothing short of biblical, to be honest with you. I’ve driven through tornadoes, storms, and floods, but I’ve never been on the road where there was no gas, water, or power. It felt like Mad Max.
Courtesy Suzanne Santo
I’d come to Austin in December 2020 to see Joe Rogan and Dave Chappelle at Stubb’s, and I just had such a magical time. During the same trip I met up with Gary Clark Jr. and sang with him at Antone’s. I was awestruck with the life force that existed in Austin.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO LEAVE LA AFTER ALMOST 20 YEARS THERE?
LA had become a really strange place. There was a lot of tension and I had to get out. Joe [Rogan] is a good friend of mine. We talked for a few hours on the phone and he was telling me how many friends I already have in Austin, and how I could be playing music here.
YOUR NEW ALBUM YARD SALE COMES OUT AUG. 27. WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
It’s a real collection of experiences. I’m interested in our evolution and in the human condition in general, so when people go through big life changes, I’m constantly fascinated in how we adapt and grow from those things. I’m drawn to contemplation and introspection, and to people who have self awareness.
ONE OF THE SONGS, “FALL FOR THAT,” FEATURES GARY CLARK JR., AND ANOTHER—“AFRAID OF HEIGHTS”—YOU CO-WROTE AND CO-PRODUCED WITH SHAKEY GRAVES. WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THOSE SONGS?
I’ve known Gary for years, but I’d kind of orbited around his circle. I was at Byron Bay Blues Festival with Hozier and ran into [Shakey Graves]. I introduced myself and we all had dinner together. Gary happened to be in LA when I asked him to play on “Fall for That.” It was kismet.
It’s just such an honor to work with both of them. I just saw Shakey at Stubb’s! He’s one of my favorite people to see live.
DO YOU FEEL LIKE AUSTIN HAS LIVED UP TO THE HYPE SO FAR?
I do. The caliber of musicians here, and the way people support each other, and the omnipresence of music, is satiating to say the least. It’s so nourishing to be around. And it keeps your game on point. Every time I go see live music, I can’t wait to go homeland play my guitar. It’s a motivating place for all the right reasons—not this cutthroat thing happening in LA. It’s a real community, and I’m so excited and honored to be a part of it.
I’ve lived in a lot of places—mostly LA and New York—and I had a really strange feeling when I got here. In my first week here I felt like, I’m home.
