Beth Torrance returns with ‘Suzy May’
Suzy May is indie rock with a smirk: the story of a new bond that demands your full attention, whether you like it or not.
It’s not a love song, exactly. “It’s about the tensions that can come about with new connections; there’s intrigue and desire.” Through the enigmatic protagonist of the track, Suzy May, the artist tells the story of that person you know, but don’t really know: the one you keep crossing paths with and clock across the room. “Suzy May is someone who will never give you what you want,” Beth says. “They’ll elude you, yet they’re someone you can’t resist.”
Suzy May delivers the indie-rock sound Beth Torrance has been building toward with her band, the Garden Party. Known for her intimate, layered indie folk with delicate guitar, killer melodies, and poetically honest lyrics, Suzy May doesn’t leave that behind. It just turns it up several notches.
She puts the acoustic aside for her Danelectro silver sparkle electric guitar and is joined in the studio by John Heywood (Alex G) on bass and Jordan Lim (Preacher) on drums. Recorded and mixed at Bigpop Studios by Jacob E. Rush and mastered by Howard Rogers, the track feels both crisp and gritty. It’s kinetic and alive.
The Your Favourite EP was written with a band in mind from the outset. It’s a natural evolution, and one that fits like a glove.
Directed by Calum Dewsnap, with Alfie Saunders (DOP), Chris Jackson (gaffer), and Josh Clarkson (art director), the Suzy May video splits the difference between 60’s psychedelia and 90’s rock irreverence; think Penny Lane crossed with Beck’s Loser music videos. Staged as a garden party in full bloom (a direct homage to her band’s name), Beth appears at first demure, then her beguiling rockstar presence takes over. The confident frontwoman has always been there. Now there’s a full band to elevate the noise.
Beth Torrance and the Garden Party, is completed by Ben Frisby (bass) and Finn McNeill (drums). Her earlier songs land differently in the hands of the taut, transcendent power trio: bigger, wider, and with room to breathe.
Suzy May, the lead single from Tāmaki Makaurau singer-songwriter Beth Torrance’s forthcoming EP Your Favourite, out on June 5th via boutique Auckland indie label Particle Recordings.
