01Profile
A Suzy Harrison Photo
Suzy Harrison
Photographer / film-maker — York
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Suzy Harrison, I live in York but I’m not from here originally. Growing up we moved around because of my dad’s job. 'No Roots' by Alice Merton is probably one of the only songs I’ve found that I can relate to when it comes to not having a home town.
Describe your style in three words?
Casual, prints, wallflower.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Oh wow, that’s so difficult. I've been to more than 450! Discovering Yeah Yeah Yeahs ('Pin') at Leeds Festival 2003 was pretty cool. I just wandered into the Radio 1 tent and they were playing. I'd never heard them before but I couldn’t stop watching Karen O. I've seen them four times since and I’ve never been disappointed. Such great stage presence and style. Photographing their 2009 show at Leeds O2 Academy was a highlight - I’d love to do that again.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
If I was still in a band, it'd have to be No Doubt ('Trapped in a Box' has to go on my playlist!), because I have never seen them but really love their music. Gwen is an inspiration. And also Mad Caddies (love ‘Mary Melody’ because I can play that!). Mad Caddies have been a huge influence. Their music made me realise that as a trumpet player, jazz and classical are not the only options.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Punk, hardcore, straight edge, ska, reggae. I only discovered these subcultures and their values, style and music when I was about 20 so I was a bit late to it, but it was a discovery that helped me realise who I am. It made me feel that being different is actually a good thing. It’s pretty cool. I feel like I'm still learning too - there’s so much music I have yet to discover. Unsurprisingly, being called 'Suzyska' started thanks to my obsession with the genre. At uni I joined an 8-piece ska-punk band, playing trumpet. I was the only woman, but thankfully I never felt like I shouldn't be there. More recently I was in a ska/punk/reggae band called Copasetics. Despite being a classically trained trumpet and piano player, I've managed to find my place in reggae and ska-punk music. I’m really proud of the album we made in Copasetics ('Gladiators and Lions') - it took us 2-3 years to make it but we did it all ourselves with hardly any money. Being in that band was a great experience for me because I got to contribute properly to the song-writing process for the first time.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Can they be living? I'd probably say Lady Gaga because she's a huge inspiration to me ('You and I' is the best song to sing along to!). She always comes across as being so down to earth despite being amazingly talented and powerful. Or Katy Perry because I just think she's so funny and confident ('Pendulum' is another good one to sing). Both are such great performers. I'd like to have a singing lesson from one of them or work on some music together!
Of all the venues you've been to, which is your favourite?
Probably Wharf Chambers in Leeds because it’s a small, safe space venue which champions DIY music. I've also taken some good gig photos there! I recently went to Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds for the first time and that’s a pretty cool venue. I got the feeling that it’s got a similar ethos to Wharf but I'll have to go to some more gigs there to find out for sure!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
There are so many - everyone in my documentary ('So, which band is your boyfriend in?'). If I have to pick one I'd say Ren from Petrol Girls. She is so passionate, intelligent and supportive - she's just a gem of a person. She's taught me so much. Check out their track 'Big Mouth'.
A musician, photographer and former webzine founder, Suzy Harrison is also the director of ‘So, which band is your boyfriend in?', a new documentary which addresses the imbalance of gender equality in music. Find out more about the film at musicdocumentary.co.uk and find out more about Suzy's music photography at www.suzyska.co.uk
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Michael Jackson - 'You wanna be startin' somethin''
The whole Thriller album tbh - I remember listening to it on my Walkman on car journeys when I was 5 years old. I know this isn’t the best choice given the recent documentary about him, but I still love this record because of the feeling it gives me - music is so powerful when it comes to memories.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Well, I listened to a lot of Spice Girls - which was not cool at the time, but seems to be acceptable now! But actually Garbage - 'I think I'm Paranoid' is probably more accurate choice. Paranoid, anxious, worrier - definitely teenage and current me. I love Shirley Manson - she’s always been a role model and someone I admired from the start.
One record you would keep forever?
Jamiroquai - 'Emergency on Planet Earth' (track - 'When you Gonna Learn?')
Despite it being released in 1993, it's worrying that the lyrics continue to reflect what’s going on in the world today. I've no idea how many times I must have listened to this album. There are so many elements to the songs - even now, I discover new sounds that I didn’t spot before.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
H2O - 'What Happened?'
"What happened to the passion? What happened to the reason for screaming? What happened to the music and the message that I love?”
This just sums up what punk/hardcore music means to me - it should be and is more than a phase or a fad. I love the fashion and styles that go with music, but I’ve always worn what I felt comfortable wearing and love whatever music I want (even if some people don’t think it’s cool).
A song you wished you had written?
The Neighbourhood - '24/7'
I first discovered The Neighbourhood while watching the Coachella 2018 live stream. And now I'm obsessed. I can imagine this song sounding so good on a festival main stage. I just love their sound and Jesse's lyrics. I wish I could write stuff like this. I saw them at Brixton Academy in January and I’m really looking forward to seeing them again in Manchester next year.
Best song to turn up loud?
Something with a good bass line… The Skints - 'Culture Vulture'. The Skints are so amazingly talented and work really hard. Marcia's in my documentary.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Gat Decor - 'Passion - Naked Edit'
I think people would be surprised at this choice as they might expect me to mainly be into punk and ska, but I actually love '90s/’00s house/dance music - especially ‘90s french house.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
A random one but one of my childhood favourites is Prefab Sprout - 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll' and it's guaranteed to get me dancing! The video is so '80s (obviously!).
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Something chilled like Future Islands - 'Seasons (Waiting On You)'. Their Singles album is brilliant.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Kid Bloom - 'EVRWNDR'. (they have a kind of '80s synth-pop sound, clever lyrics, dramatic Phil Collins-style drum fills; they're also friends with The Neighbourhood).
Dream Nails - 'DIY' (feminist punk band - they just got signed to Alcopop! Records which is awesome!).
The Baby Seals - 'Period Drama' (another DIY feminist band - they sing about stuff people usually don’t feel comfortable talking about and put a humorous spin on it).
Hunny / Bleached - 'Saturday Night' (kind of pop-rock/punk and another band I heard about thanks to my obsession with The Neighbourhood).
Misfortune Cookie - 'All Dogs are Nina' (fab sound and they’re also friends of mine. I made their music video for this track).
Natterers - 'Power Tripping' (they’re a punk band from York - it’s a really raw sound and they’re amazing to watch live).
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Suzy Harrison, I live in York but I’m not from here originally. Growing up we moved around because of my dad’s job. 'No Roots' by Alice Merton is probably one of the only songs I’ve found that I can relate to when it comes to not having a home town.
Describe your style in three words?
Casual, prints, wallflower.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Oh wow, that’s so difficult. I've been to more than 450! Discovering Yeah Yeah Yeahs ('Pin') at Leeds Festival 2003 was pretty cool. I just wandered into the Radio 1 tent and they were playing. I'd never heard them before but I couldn’t stop watching Karen O. I've seen them four times since and I’ve never been disappointed. Such great stage presence and style. Photographing their 2009 show at Leeds O2 Academy was a highlight - I’d love to do that again.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
If I was still in a band, it'd have to be No Doubt ('Trapped in a Box' has to go on my playlist!), because I have never seen them but really love their music. Gwen is an inspiration. And also Mad Caddies (love ‘Mary Melody’ because I can play that!). Mad Caddies have been a huge influence. Their music made me realise that as a trumpet player, jazz and classical are not the only options.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Punk, hardcore, straight edge, ska, reggae. I only discovered these subcultures and their values, style and music when I was about 20 so I was a bit late to it, but it was a discovery that helped me realise who I am. It made me feel that being different is actually a good thing. It’s pretty cool. I feel like I'm still learning too - there’s so much music I have yet to discover. Unsurprisingly, being called 'Suzyska' started thanks to my obsession with the genre. At uni I joined an 8-piece ska-punk band, playing trumpet. I was the only woman, but thankfully I never felt like I shouldn't be there. More recently I was in a ska/punk/reggae band called Copasetics. Despite being a classically trained trumpet and piano player, I've managed to find my place in reggae and ska-punk music. I’m really proud of the album we made in Copasetics ('Gladiators and Lions') - it took us 2-3 years to make it but we did it all ourselves with hardly any money. Being in that band was a great experience for me because I got to contribute properly to the song-writing process for the first time.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Can they be living? I'd probably say Lady Gaga because she's a huge inspiration to me ('You and I' is the best song to sing along to!). She always comes across as being so down to earth despite being amazingly talented and powerful. Or Katy Perry because I just think she's so funny and confident ('Pendulum' is another good one to sing). Both are such great performers. I'd like to have a singing lesson from one of them or work on some music together!
Of all the venues you've been to, which is your favourite?
Probably Wharf Chambers in Leeds because it’s a small, safe space venue which champions DIY music. I've also taken some good gig photos there! I recently went to Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds for the first time and that’s a pretty cool venue. I got the feeling that it’s got a similar ethos to Wharf but I'll have to go to some more gigs there to find out for sure!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
There are so many - everyone in my documentary ('So, which band is your boyfriend in?'). If I have to pick one I'd say Ren from Petrol Girls. She is so passionate, intelligent and supportive - she's just a gem of a person. She's taught me so much. Check out their track 'Big Mouth'.
A musician, photographer and former webzine founder, Suzy Harrison is also the director of ‘So, which band is your boyfriend in?', a new documentary which addresses the imbalance of gender equality in music. Find out more about the film at musicdocumentary.co.uk and find out more about Suzy's music photography at www.suzyska.co.uk
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Michael Jackson - 'You wanna be startin' somethin''
The whole Thriller album tbh - I remember listening to it on my Walkman on car journeys when I was 5 years old. I know this isn’t the best choice given the recent documentary about him, but I still love this record because of the feeling it gives me - music is so powerful when it comes to memories.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Well, I listened to a lot of Spice Girls - which was not cool at the time, but seems to be acceptable now! But actually Garbage - 'I think I'm Paranoid' is probably more accurate choice. Paranoid, anxious, worrier - definitely teenage and current me. I love Shirley Manson - she’s always been a role model and someone I admired from the start.
One record you would keep forever?
Jamiroquai - 'Emergency on Planet Earth' (track - 'When you Gonna Learn?')
Despite it being released in 1993, it's worrying that the lyrics continue to reflect what’s going on in the world today. I've no idea how many times I must have listened to this album. There are so many elements to the songs - even now, I discover new sounds that I didn’t spot before.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
H2O - 'What Happened?'
"What happened to the passion? What happened to the reason for screaming? What happened to the music and the message that I love?”
This just sums up what punk/hardcore music means to me - it should be and is more than a phase or a fad. I love the fashion and styles that go with music, but I’ve always worn what I felt comfortable wearing and love whatever music I want (even if some people don’t think it’s cool).
A song you wished you had written?
The Neighbourhood - '24/7'
I first discovered The Neighbourhood while watching the Coachella 2018 live stream. And now I'm obsessed. I can imagine this song sounding so good on a festival main stage. I just love their sound and Jesse's lyrics. I wish I could write stuff like this. I saw them at Brixton Academy in January and I’m really looking forward to seeing them again in Manchester next year.
Best song to turn up loud?
Something with a good bass line… The Skints - 'Culture Vulture'. The Skints are so amazingly talented and work really hard. Marcia's in my documentary.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Gat Decor - 'Passion - Naked Edit'
I think people would be surprised at this choice as they might expect me to mainly be into punk and ska, but I actually love '90s/’00s house/dance music - especially ‘90s french house.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
A random one but one of my childhood favourites is Prefab Sprout - 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll' and it's guaranteed to get me dancing! The video is so '80s (obviously!).
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Something chilled like Future Islands - 'Seasons (Waiting On You)'. Their Singles album is brilliant.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Kid Bloom - 'EVRWNDR'. (they have a kind of '80s synth-pop sound, clever lyrics, dramatic Phil Collins-style drum fills; they're also friends with The Neighbourhood).
Dream Nails - 'DIY' (feminist punk band - they just got signed to Alcopop! Records which is awesome!).
The Baby Seals - 'Period Drama' (another DIY feminist band - they sing about stuff people usually don’t feel comfortable talking about and put a humorous spin on it).
Hunny / Bleached - 'Saturday Night' (kind of pop-rock/punk and another band I heard about thanks to my obsession with The Neighbourhood).
Misfortune Cookie - 'All Dogs are Nina' (fab sound and they’re also friends of mine. I made their music video for this track).
Natterers - 'Power Tripping' (they’re a punk band from York - it’s a really raw sound and they’re amazing to watch live).
'So, which band is your boyfriend in?' - Official trailer
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'So, which band is your boyfriend in?' by Suzy Harrison
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Suzy Harrison Music Photography
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Suzy Harrison Music Photography