Published: July 21, 2009 12:35 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight July 2009 Edition
Running Home
Running Home
Our Webzine would like to introduce to our online readers the musical talents of Elizabeth Butler and Suzanne Comeaux Bucher, the members of Running Home, who came together twelve years ago as church musicians in their congregation's folk/contemporary choir. The two talented artists make beautiful music together with their blend of Folk, Rock, Blues, & Country into melodious tunes. In this recent interview, Elizabeth and Suzanne speak to us about their music. Enjoy!
Isaac: What was the best part of 2008 for you musically?
E: I have a few new songs that I'm working on, and I'm excited about how they're turning out. I'm trying new arrangements and new genres, so we'll see how this goes. Plus, I've started taking some music theory classes, and I'm really enjoying that. Jazz improvisation was a blast!
S: It has been nice to hear how an instrumental I wrote for my Grandmother is turning out. It's very touching to work on something that is so meaningful and to share that with Elizabeth. I have a couple of songs in the wings that need more work, but that I am excited about.
E: Really, I was honored to work on Suzanne's song for her Grandmother. I know how special it is to her, and I'm having an "I'm not worthy" moment about that (smile).
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2008?
E: We were up for artist of the year at a couple of different stations, one of them overseas. How cool is that? I still get excited by that stuff. Hopefully, I won't ever get so complacent that those kinds of things won't be cool to me.
S: Being on podcasts and some special broadcasts for holidays. A song Elizabeth wrote for my father was on a Father's Day Internet radio show and that was so awesome. Having our music on some shows that featured woman artists was very exciting. Having our music played in so many places is just incredible and humbling.
Isaac: Describe the music scene.
E: I think it's really encouraging that more and more people are listening to internet radio, rather than just broadcast. I still like broadcast radio, but I think Internet programming has more flexibility in the artists and genres that they play, so the listeners are exposed to more music.
S: I agree. Internet radio is becoming more popular and I like it because it gives many different artists, who aren't mainstream or Nashville-based a chance to reach out with their music.
Isaac: What has been the best venue to perform at and why?
E: We really haven't spent much time in performing at gigs. Suzanne and I have opposite work schedules in our real lives, so it makes it pretty tricky to work out. But, my favorite so far has been the live performance at KPFT-FM, a local public radio station. That was so cool! I hope we get the chance to do more of that.
S: Yes, life happens and it is usually a whirlwind. We are hoping to do some local performing soon. I also enjoyed the KPFT performance and interview.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
E: One of my very favorite performers is Dolly Parton. I think she's completely underestimated by a lot of people, both in and out of the music industry. She's an excellent performer, she writes beautiful music, and she's a very astute business woman. I'd love to have the chance to spend some time with her to learn more about her, and just learn from one of the masters.
S: I love Emmy Lou Harris. She is so soulful and I feel she gives all she's got when she sings. I am amazed at the way it all seems so easy for her. I also love Alison Krauss. Her voice just blows me away. She is so multi-talented and yet she seems so approachable. She's the one I would like to spend a day with to get some vocal pointers from.
E: Right, Emmylou is one of my favorites, too. Allison Krauss is definitely one of my heroes. I love that's she branching out and collaboration with all kinds of musicians. Have y'all heard her with John Waite on "Missing You"? Very cool.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
E: I think Suzanne and I both listen to a wide variety of musical styles and genres, so we're always open to trying new things, musically. We're both coming to the music industry later in life than many performers, so we may have more of a "real life" perspective than some artists. Some of our audience may feel a closer connection with us, since they (usually) know that we've raised 6 kids between us, struggled with the day-to-day stresses of work, and, oh yeah, worked to fit music somewhere in the balance.
S: I think Elizabeth and I bring real life to the music industry. Like Elizabeth said, we came into the music industry later in our lives, just wanting to express ourselves, maybe touch people with our music, and have fun. I think people can relate to songs about everyday events in our lives: love, kids, loss, family, etc.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
E; Yo Yo Ma would be at the top of my list. I love that his cello is so expressive and evocative, and he blends in well with a variety of musical styles. Did you see him when he was on Sesame Street? That was the best!
S: I can't have two? Please! Actually, I could name many, from Beethoven to Led Zeppelin. But, It would have to be Elton John. Elton is my idol when it comes to the piano. I recently saw him in concert and was totally blown away. I would love to have a day playing piano with him and learning some of his techniques.
E: If we could also include artists that have passed away, I've recently rediscovered Laura Nyro. I was always a fan of her songwriting, but I didn't realize that she recorded many of her songs herself, rather than just other artists. I absolutely love "Stoney End". It's one of the most soulful vocals I've ever heard. But primarily, I really admire her lyrics. They're so specific; they put you right in the middle of her emotions and situations. What a gift!
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
E: It's a gumbo of a little of everything: a little jazz, a little blues, a little country, a few tears, a lot of hard work, and supportive families on both sides.
S: Real life. Telling our life experiences and sharing some dreams. Definitely some different genres and that's what I love most about it.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from fans about your music?
E: Really positive. It's been so cool when we've done call-in radio shows, and the listeners tell us how soothing our music is to them, how it's helped them through sad or difficult times. That's the best to me. That's why we're here.
E: Very encouraging. It is very gratifying to hear someone say, "I needed to hear that" or "I was so inspired." That's the whole purpose for doing this to me. Touching people through music is about the best thing I can think of. Music is an expression of the soul.
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in the next five years?
E: On my end, there's not a bit of telling (smile). I love to push myself to try new things and improve my musicanship, so who knows where that will take me. Suzanne and I are working on new songs in the studio, and I'm thinking about a solo project, too. I'd like to try edgier, more blues and up-tempo jazz music that might not blend in well with most Running Home music.
S: More gray hair, lol. Hopefully, we'll have our new project out. I would like to try some new genres and try to write in some different styles, too. I am really into bluegrass right now and I've written a couple of songs in that area. But I'm sure as my life goes on and new things come, the songs will follow.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans?
E: Thanks so much to my big Irish family! Y'all are the best. And, honestly, I think my kids are our biggest fans, besides my brothers and sisters.
S: Huge thanks and much love to my supportive husband, my mom, who thinks we are the cat's meow, and my dad, who I know is smiling down on our music. A special thanks to our kids, who actually put our music on their iPods and share with their friends. When our songs are on teenagers' playlists, we're doing something right, lol. I want to thank my in-laws for their continued support and my sister-in-law who encourages me. Thanks to all my friends, who are my brothers and sisters, for support, inspiration, and love.
E: Yeah, that was the coolest thing, when I saw our songs on my kids' iPods. You don't get higher praise than that. And Isaac, a shout-out to you for your website. It's always great to see fellow Georgians doing so well. (I was raised in Savannah and went to college in Atlanta) Wooo Hooo!
