Immersing yourself in music is an experience that allows you to interpret both yourself and the world around you from a new perspective. Grab your headphones, for you are about to experience the sound of Suzanne, aka “Suz”, a dj/producer/promoter based in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Suz, born in 1981, has lived through music since the very beginning. As a young girl she was exposed to her older brother’s record collection, bobbing her little head and being influenced by the electro-pop noir of Depeche Mode, the melancholy sounds of the Cure and the dirty, hip-moving rhythms of dancehall and reggae. Suz was initially exposed to the art of dj’ing at the tender age of 8 years, as she marauded her brother’s collection and assumed control over two vintage belt-drive turntables. Her passion to learn was ignited and would continue throughout her childhood. By the age of 13, Suz had taught herself piano by re-creating songs heard on the radio without the use of sheet music or formal training. With a community radio station broadcasting a French program, Suz was exposed to electronic music in 1994 through a wide array of experimental sounds previously unheard in commercial dance music.

Her dj pseudonym was selected as a reflection of her personality as others view her, concise and distinctly recognizable. Suz communicates a message that compels listeners to new levels of musical interpretation through carefully chosen samples, placed amidst seamless arrangements of constructed sounds and organized rhythms: this is her modus operandi. Suz and music are synonymous; her music is a direct representation of her soul, a rich, organic sound that transcends genres by presenting itself through minimalist expression. In 2000, Suz began performing at numerous gigs across North America while obtaining residencies in her hometown at clubs such as Pyramid Cabaret and Blue Agave. She continues to perform abroad and presently holds residencies at The Freehouse and The Empire Cabaret in Winnipeg.

In 2005, Suz began writing music and has since completed her first release, “43 Seconds Late (Remix)” for De’fchild Records based in San Francisco, CA under her other pseudonym duo “Suz [+] Layborn.” The release places listeners on an aural waterbed of funk, with undulating rhythms, revolving effects and vocal samples worthy of a psychiatrist’s diagnosis. Suz’s tracks mirror the lush orchestration embodied in her performances, subtly balanced amidst the spectrum of her musical influences and creative vision. Watch this space, as Suz continues to write new material which is bound to take the world by its collective ears in the near future, on labels like Goosehound (NYC), FVF(Ireland), and Archipel(Montreal).

It doesn’t stop there. Suz’s contribution to the music scene is not limited to performance and production alone. She is the co-founder of O2 in the basement, located at The Empire Cabaret on Friday and Saturday nights, which promotes local talent and proudly hosts international talent through both charitable and non-charitable events. An avid supporter of her peers, Suz prides herself on a collaborative approach to develop and share ideas in the scene. Additionally, Suz is co-host to the radio show, “Alter Ego Radio” on 101.5 UMFM, now entering its 4th year of simulcast. The show has won an award for best charisma between two artists, features innovative sounds from local and international artists, and offers interviews with dj’s and producers from around the globe. Suz was approached to work for Goosehound Records, based in NYC, where she serves as a writer and promotional dj. She also works as a media rep for MUTEK, an annual event hosted in Montreal, showcasing the artistic forefront of electronic music and sound creation. Suz will also commence the implementation of a workshop at the University of Manitoba in spring 2006, teaching the art of music.

Stay tuned, this Canadian brunette is bound to captivate your mind, ears and soul, whether it be on the air, in print, or in the record shops. If you happen to miss her, take a look in the shadows of the dancefloor… where you’ll find her calmly sipping a gin and soda, carefully planning her next move.