The Butterfly is Blossoming

Dear Lovely Ones,

It was 6 years ago today that I excitedly experienced my first album launch.  Held at Hardimans Hotel in Kensington, I had a wonderful time with so many gorgeous folk.  Some are still my friends and others I often think of fondly whenever I take an album out or someone requests a song of mine on radio.

This album took a while to become a finished project too.  A labour of love, it took 2 years to be finished.  During that time I learnt much about songwriting, recording and leading a band: all things that were mentored by a fabulous guy and my producer Paul Norton. We worked diligently whenever we could in his studio, and I gained more than I paid for I believe.  I will always be thankful and grateful for the guidance Paul and his gorgeous wife, Wendy Stapleton, gave me.  They are truly generous people who gave me so much and continue to inspire me whenever I find myself with a newly finished song or do a great show.

I had the BEST time that night.  My dad came down to be there with me and I'm so grateful he did.  He loved every minute of it.  I had a great bunch of musicians around me and I also had a surprise visitor who almost knocked me off my high heels.  That was a beautiful moment I will always treasure.  Seeing the smiling face of a man I treasured as a friend and now treasure in my life was the biggest and best surprise of the launch (even though I didn't realise then where I would be now).

Me at my album launch

Today is also the birthday of my favourite twins and a mate from home.  What a fabulous date to have in my life!

Happy sunday everyone xxx

Sometimes.....

"...Now it really is my time, and I'm gonna take what's mine, what I can find... butterfly"

sometimes we must make difficult choices, ones that are true to us and may not be understood by those around you.  Sometimes it's important to put yourself first and focus on what is important and needed by your own ego.  Sometimes it's important to simply close the door and leave it shut until you feel like opening it again.  Yeah, sometimes it's good to walk your own path and reap the joy of your own vision.  Sometimes we have to spread our wings and fly to wear we are meant to be.  It's time to be that Butterfly!

Happy friday everyone!

A Little Rain in Adelaide

Dear Lovely Ones,

It's not often I get to catch a storm coming through with my camera but tonight I was in the right spot to gain some of the fast moving clouds as they came in from the ocean and ran screaming (literally) towards the hills...  Here is the video I put together with a song from my album "Butterfly" called A LITTLE RAIN...

I'm going to sleep now...rain on a tin roof.... just like grandad used to have... aaaah...

love

Susan xx

My Adelaide Fringe Journey - Poster Drop

Dear Lovely Ones,

It's been a fun journey so far, with lots of help from so many people!  The Adelaide Fringe team have been superb with all their advice and assistance.  I'm so grateful already!!

So here is a little photographic representation of my poster drop journey last week.... enjoy!

the first stop was in the city to the printers to collect my first lot of flyers and posters!  Can't begin to tell you what a joy it was to finally do this!

flyers and posters all ready for me to collect.  Many thanks to  Print Mint for a stirling job done!

Next stop, Fringe Headquarters

Front entrance and box office

Is this the cool car that will be adding my posters to the pillars around town?

Mission accomplished for fringe dropoff

 From there I went back to my venue, Fedoras at the Hilton Mybar Hotel in Hilton to drop off posters and flyers to the management team there... then I couldn't help myself and did a drop at my local coffee place

The Local Coffee and Lunch Bar, Grange rd, Allenby Gardens

you will also find one of my posters in Scootz cafe in Pulteney street, Adelaide city

also in the back part of Queen Street Cafe :)

plus you will find them in at Hawker Street Cafe in Bowden

also at the Welland Plaza Cafe

Town Mode in Welland Plaza

Cafe Primo at Welland

and adorning the outer windows of FB's in Welland too

Even my gorgeous hairdresser has offered to put up a poster!!  Palladeum Hair, Croydon

I'm so grateful to everyone for their support!  It means the world to me and I cannot wait to bring you Butterfly:  When Country Meets City

Adelaide Fringe Debut Show - Are YOU Ready??

Hi lovely ones,

Yes, it's TRUE!! I will be making my debut at #adlfringe 2017 and I couldn't be more excited!!

Today I collected my posters and fliers from Print Mint and dropped off some to Adelaide Fringe Headquarters for the Pillars around town and then took some to my gorgeous venue, Hilton Mybar Hotel in Hilton.

So, what does my poster look like?  How's this for a poster!!

My show is called Butterfly: When Country Meets City and if you click on the hyperlink over this title you will be taken to a direct link to choose a show and purchase tickets.

What would you like to know?

What is my show about?

My show shares some aspects of my tv addict country life as a child/adolescent and then as a young woman discovering what city people thought about us (versus what I grew up believing about the city).  It's in two 40 minute parts, with a ten minute break in the middle.  That's so people stretch their legs, get more drinks etc and generally get excited about part 2, which focusses on my music career to now.

What time do the doors open?

6:15 pm so you can come in and arrange dinner orders and get settled

Does that mean I can get dinner during the show as well?

Oh yes of course, which is why it's best to book in with Fedora's restaurant to be there by around 

6:30 pm so you can order dinner and get settled

what time does the show start?

7 pm

what time does the show finish?

8:30 pm

How many shows are there and what dates will you be performing?

There will be 3 SHOWS ONLY

Friday 24th February 2017 

Saturday 25th February 2017

Saturday 11th March 2017

Is there parking available?

Yes, there is a hotel carpark plus side streets where you can park.  

Just make sure to check for any parking restriction times

How much are full price tickets?

$25

I am a Bank SA customer; is there a deal for me?

Yes, there are 20 tickets per show where you can purchase online for $10 if you are a Bank SA customer.  Once those are gone it is back to the normal Bank SA customer price 

(which is still discounted)

Are there concession priced tickets?

Yes, I have a concession price.

Is there a family price?  I'd like to bring 2 children with us

Yes, we have a special family price

I have a disability, is there wheechair access into the venue?

yes, our venue is wheelchair friendly

I have a disability and need to have a carer with me, is there a special deal for that?

yes, all carers with companion cards can come in free with your ticket

I am another fringe artist who would like to check out your show.

How much is for me?

All Artist passes will be given free entry, seating subject to availability

If you have a QR code reader in your pocket you can use it to go directly to the link and check out the show.

Anyway, HAPPY BOOKING and I hope to see some of your smiling faces at one of my shows!

lots of love

Susan xx

Many thanks to Danni Nix for a great photo, to Elton Gregory for a wonderful poster design, to Print Mint for a great print job at reasonable prices, and to my Stage Manager and awesome guy, Graham Burkin so many thank yous I will lose count 

TYGA FM TOP 30 Chart - 26.11.16

Dear lovely ones,

I'm stoked for all who attended and received awards this past weekend at the Tasmanian Independent Country Music Awards.  My dear sista from another mista, Michelle Walker, earned herself an award.  The sweet and gorgeous Becci Nethery, and the fabulous duo The Long & The Short Of It are just some of the winners this year.  So very well deserved, every one of them.

For me, I'm rather stoked to see that my single "Buttterfly" has moved up a notch to #25 this weekend.  A slow and steady climb is just what the doctor ordered for this gal.

Ever grateful to the team of radio hosts in Tasmania for their support.  In particular the team from TYGA FM who've been a great support to me.

Have a lovely rest of the week, team Susan Lily.  I will also be awaiting the results of this week's voting for the Country Tracks Top 40 with anticipation.  Butterfly debuted last week at #17...could I end up with a top ten national hit on my hands?  Only time will tell, but I'm sure you will hear the squeals of delight if I do.

lots of love

Susan xx

Butterfly Jumps Into Chart

In the true tradition of a roller coaster, tonight and all day today I've been wandering around with my metaphorical arms above my head. Being on the top part of the roller coaster ride in any industry is pretty darn good.  In the music biz it marks recognition for all the hard work put into our art.  Yesterday my latest single, a track a number of people had encouraged me to release, made its debut into the Country Tracks Top 40 at Number 17!  Wow, top 20 already?!!  I'm not sure that has happened before so I'm basking in it, soaking it all in while I can.

I have many people to thank, all the community radio presenters who are playing it, and giving it the oxygen it needs to keep alive.  That's the beautiful thing about community radio; it gives life where the commercial world doesn't seem to want to.  As any independent artist, of any genre, will tell you it's a grand thing to hear your music on a community programme.

So, to all the radio presenters I'm eternally grateful and please forgive me if I do not thank you personally.   I do try to when I see a fb post or get an email, but just know I adore each and every one of you for giving me air time on your shows.

To all my lovely fans out there, this song is for you.  I hope you are enjoying hearing it on your community radio.

lots of love

susan xx

Butterfly: What Does This Song Mean To You?

Dear Lovely ones,

I'm very pleased to share with you my latest single release, BUTTERFLY and let you know that it's already been picked up and added to playlists across the country.  

It's a song that speaks for pretty much everyone.   Haven't you felt like you needed to spread your wings and have your own life?  Ever wanted a song that speaks what you'd like?

Here is your song everyone, so fly as high as you can.

So, if you'd like to request my song on your local community station I'd be very grateful.

Please also let me know if you have and the station you requested my song so I can write and thank them all.

I'd love to hear any stories from you as how this song relates to your life.

Please let me know.

lots of love

Susan xx

Becoming The Butterfly You're Meant To Be

Hi lovely ones,

It's been a little over 12 months since I let go of a permanent job and concentrated on both my music and myself.  During the past year I've learnt much and been able to see things rather differently than I'd allowed myself to believe.

It's a great feeling to finally be able to say, without hesitation or doubt, that I really like who I am and who I've become.  In the world of music/art it's vital to understand the "self" before you can create the success you seek.  I am now in the best possible place to do this for myself and those I love. I am now, more than ever, a butterfly.

I hope everyone finds their own little piece of self love too.  There's a sense of peace when you get there and it's inspirational each and every day.  Without my belief in the abundance of the universe I would not be able to write this with all the love in my heart for everyone out there.

Take a chance, take a leap .... you may never look back, and your soul you'll keep.

lots of love

Susan xx

Today Is Not Yesterday - Susan Lily Fiction

It's the waiting than can eat you inside to out, she thought  The time you have to spend in between sending a CV and then waiting to hear if your referees have been contacted and what, if anything, is going to stop you this time from getting a job.  All you wanted was a bit here and there; you weren't greedy.  You didn't hope to take a job from a young person starting out.  You just wanted to make sure you could afford the basics, like food and shelter.

As crippling a pain as bereavement, she'd been told this can be.  The urge to grieve is just moments away: she'd been here before and it ended up not working out.  "What makes you think that something different will happen today?" she cried.  "today is not yesterday" she heard.  "Who said that?" as she looked around and realised she was the only person in the room.  "Hello?  Is anyone there?  What do you mean by 'today is not yesterday'?  Well??? Speak up!!  I need to know!!"

She turned back to the mirror she'd been facing moments before.  The voice appeared again "Today is not yesterday.  It means that maybe, just maybe what you dread is not going to happen today.  Perhaps today will bring new joy: joy you've not known for some time.  Security for just a few months longer: a rainbow on the storm that you've been going through for too long."

She smiled, albeit a little sheepishly at her reflection and finished brushing her hair.  It was a glorious day and yes, today was going to be different to yesterday.  Today she had hope.

Computers are Way Cool

I've only really just begun to realise that self-promotion is ok.  So here is a little bit of something I created tonight to promote my debut album... let me know what you think 

 

 I'm rather proud that I've learnt a new skill and can make things like this within minutes... computers are way cool :)

 

cheers susan