Alone at last

Suzzy Roche -- a soloist is born

by Chris Flisher

It's noon on a Saturday and I'm talking with Suzzy Roche from her home in New York. She's giggling on the other end of the line as her new, yet unnamed puppy chews on her toes and wardrobe as we talk.

"Ouch! I'm fairly new at this," she chuckles. "I've never had my own dog before. I don't even have a name for her yet, and I'm not sure if I know what to do about all of this."

Ironically, being unsure about things is a fairly common predicament for Suzzy (rhymes with fuzzy) as of late. With the release of her new solo album, Holy Smokes (Red House), she has taken a bold leap into places unknown. For the better part of her life she's been one of three sisters in the Roches. Now, with this release and subsequent tour, she's the first from the family to go it alone.

Longtime fans of the Roches need not worry. In fact, sisters Maggie and Terre are hovering in the wings, watching as young Suzzy takes it solo. "This has been an amazing thing to do," Suzzy admits. "I never would have thought of myself as someone who could do this. I didn't ever think I could do this. I mean, doing a CD is not so hard. That's one thing. You can record that in a familiar environment. But touring and performing on stage by myself is something I have never done before. It has been a very frightening experience, but also very nice in a strange sort of way."

As the youngest member of the often quirky and always inimitable vocal trio, Suzzy shared the limelight and stage with her sisters. Their trademark three-part harmonies, offbeat topics, and perky vocal acrobatics distinguished them as the premium purveyors of an eclectic folk/pop sound. They spanned different genres and won the respect and plaudits of critics worldwide, while putting their feet firmly down on their own unique patch of musical turf. Now, having just turned 40, sister Suzzy is leaving the fold and striking out on her own as a solo artist. Suzzy is learning that standing on your own can be a mixed blessing. "I was always the shy member of the group, so it's kind of nuts that I am doing this," she readily admits. "What was I thinking? People used to say that I was the central focus of the group, that Maggie and Terre would play off me in the middle, but I never saw it that way. I always just saw myself as the shy younger sister, sitting in the middle soaking up the vibes of my older siblings. Now I am out on the stage by myself, and if I think about it too much I get kind of nuts because my life is one big enormous contradiction. But this is really the only way I know how to really communicate."

A collection of self-penned musings and observations, Holy Smokes, has a certain Roche-feel to it, as is expected. The difference, however, is the decidedly Suzzy-ness of the focus. "I started to realize that I had something more specific to say. I didn't know what," she quickly adds. "But I knew I wanted to say something and this is how I say things. I didn't want this to be a big commercial effort either. I kind of wanted to test the waters gently. Just put one toe in at a time. Besides, my motives are different now than they were when I was 20. I'm not worried about that aspect of my life anymore."

Age and its ominous weight loom largely. And topics relevant to aging baby boomers surface more than once with a underlying sense of nostalgia. "I tried to create something that would be a soothing collection of songs for people. We all seem so stressed out, especially people in their 40s. We're kind of stuck between caring for our parents and our children at the same time. So I wanted to address that and try to help."

And she does. The songs flow together with a floating, late-night appeal. Her breathy vocals and familiar delivery add to the ambiance and mood, as she sings about traditions in "Rules," or remembering the past in "ABCs." Sometimes wistful, sometimes funky, the songs fit Suzzy and her shy, offbeat demeanor.

"I had to let these songs be born," she admits. "I could have left them in a drawer someplace, but that's not really fair. It doesn't give them a chance to succeed on their own. They're kind of like children, and they need to be pushed out into the world sometimes. Like me, right?"

Suzzy Roche performs at the Emerson Umbrella, in Concord, on November 1. For ticket information call 369-4127. Roche also performs at the Iron Horse, in Northampton, at 7 p.m. on November 2. Tickets are $10. Call (413) 584-0610.