Singer/songwriter SUCH

Black Facts.com

By George Littlejohn

In reading your bio we noticed that you have lived in NY, Boston, California and now Denver. 

That is an interesting journey living in those 4 different cities. From your experience, what was the primary difference of each city and what brought you to Denver?

Lol! Well, I lived in each of those cities/states at different times in my life. I was born in Boston, I grew up in Long Island, NY and also in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston and a small little town called South Lancaster in northwest Massachusetts. Both really shaped and influenced my formative years musically. In NY I fell in love with 90’s R&B (til this day I’m still filled with nostalgia every time I hear Jagged Edge, Toni Braxton, Brownstone, etc..). And when I moved to Massachusetts at 12 I was introduced to classic rock/soft rock/ alternative music. (I looove me some Sting and Bryan Adams).

I went to college in Riverside, California, which had a very cool laid back vibe. I was active in praise teams and choirs in churches in the area and on campus.

You forgot to mention Chicago! After college, I moved to Chicago where I met my other family – you know how they say family is so much stronger than blood? I knew no one but found a community of people there in Chicago who took me in and adopted me as their sister, daughter, cousin, niece and to this day we’re so tight and they’ve taught me so much about myself and how to be the live performer and singer that I am today.

Finally, I moved to Denver because I wanted to be a physical therapist and Colorado had really great PT schools as one of the healthiest states. I got a job as a physical therapist aide and all of the therapists who worked there told me it’s a very oversaturated field here, and that I should consider nursing since it’s less schooling and you’ll get paid far more. So, I went to nursing school, graduated in one year and was a registered nurse up until a few years ago when I decided to pursue singing full time. I fell in love with Denver in the process and decided to stay.

What school in California did you go to and what was your major?

I attended La Sierra University and majored in Exercise Science/Pre physical therapy. 

In the last couple of years you covered “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCarthy and “Ordinary People” by John Legend. Both classics, but from different eras what was the impetus for both choices

My manager, Kevin Harewood, and I were having a conversation one day about how awesome covers of songs done by the opposite gender can be (for example, Maxwell’s cover of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work”) and he suggested that I cover “Maybe I’m Amazed.” I’ve always loved that song and thought that it might sound great to put a little “Such sauce” on it! Similarly I’ve always loved Ordinary People and thought that maybe a Neo-soul, bare bones, Rhodes-driven version could be beautiful. 

What artists inspired you growing up and which artists inspire you now? 

All the 90’s R&B artists were definitely a staple in my childhood and adolescence. Aretha, Jill Scott, Nina Simone, Whitney, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Erykah Badu, Dwele, Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild, Sting, Bryan Adams, Tracy Chapman to name a few also were huge inspirations.

Currently I really am inspired by Beyonce (her work ethic is incredible), Jill Scott (she is a talented singer, songwriter, poet, actress), Lady Gaga (I feel like she is a modern version of Barbra Streisand – she can do whatever she puts her mind to). 

Tell us 5 songs on your current
playlist
.

Erykah Badu – Otherside of the Game

Best Part – H.E.R. feat Daniel Caesar

Waka Waka – Selebobo feat DaVido

Bad Habits – Maxwell

Karma – Lucky Daye

As you already know, we here at Heart and Soul are focused on Health and Wellness for women of color. Do you work out and if so how often?  What is your average Saturday morning breakfast, lunch and dinner 

I work out 5 to 6 days a week. My workouts usually consist of a cardio (jump rope), core of some kind, and weights/toning. I also love yoga and complement my high intensity workouts with restorative and Yin yoga practices.

I usually have a shake for breakfast (strawberries, bananas, raspberries, almond milk, greek yogurt, and peanut butter). For lunch a salad with salmon or chicken usually works. My dinner usually consists of a dish that is centered around fish – fish tacos, baked cod with rice and veggies, pan-seared salmon with an olive oil and garlic spaghetti, etc. Now I’m hungry. Lol

Such, you are wearing many hats. What advice would you give to our readers who are also balancing family responsibilities , career aspirations  and taking care of yourself mentally, emotionally and physically ? 

I would say to do your very best to be present in each moment. I think that a lot of times we get caught up thinking about the future or being stuck in the past, one of the most important things we can do is enjoy every moment. So when you’re doing self care, be sure to stay present so you can reap the benefits. When you’re with your family do your best to be in the moment and the very same thing when you’re working on your career – just live each moment to the fullest.

Another important piece to artistry and to life in general is being involved in your community.  Whatever size your platform is, you can and should give back.  You don’t have to wait until you “make it.” You can be impactful right now, be involved and make a difference. Be the change that you want to see and experience.  

And take the time to vote and learn about the issues affecting your community. Because it affects you as well, whether you realize it or not.

“Before DarK” is a beautiful song. What inspired this song and who did you work with on creating it ?  Is there an album on the way?

I was in a long distance relationship for 2 years in college and Before Dark is about the urgency/intimacy that permeated each moment we had with each other, not wasting time since we knew there was precious little of it. It’s lush and delicious just like those times we had back in college. The song was produced by my musical director JC and my whole band added their flavor to the performance.

And yes, there’s an album on the way! It will be released over the summer, so stay tuned!

Tell us something about yourself that you would like to share that we have not asked you ? 

I’m a lefty and I love quirky customizable cars (dream car is the Mini Countryman). Garlic makes everything better and I’m fluent in pasta 🙂

What are the upcoming goals for Such? Shorterm and Longterm 

I am so excited to be releasing my album and with that I would love to tour abroad and for my music to take me to place and experiences I’ve never been before.

Much,

   Such

Website iamsuch.com

Instagram instagram.com/iamsuch

Facebook facebook.com/iamsuch

Twitter twitter.com/such

Watch her video http://www.iamsuch.com/#videos

Black Facts.com

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