Susan Raines
NEWS
17th July 2010 - New Song uploaded called 'Black Saturday'.
Rattled - Susan Raines with 'Hell-Bent'
uploaded on
01/28/09 @ 06:35 AM
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duration
03:06
category
Music
description
I occasionally 'stand-in' as lead vocalist for a cover band called 'Hell-Bent' from Newcastle in Australia. This was recorded in December 2008.
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I'm a Singer/Songwriter from Queensland Australia. I've been in a number of bands over the past 30yrs, but only recently started writing songs myself. I am now producing my songs using a cheap M-Box2 Mini and Protools LE8.
I have sung for as long as I can remember. My grandmother would get me to sing old 'music hall' songs on the kitchen table at the age of 5. Music was constant during my school years. I did a couple of school musicals and also sung in school and church choirs. I also sung with the 'Linnet Girls Choir' at the newly opened Sydney Opera House in the early 70's.
My mother, who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) and who had a couple of minor roles in British films and had also performed in many stage shows, introduced me to musical comedy and by the time I was 18 I had performed in at least 20 different musicals.
During the 80's I was lead vocalist in 'Get Smart' and 'Pleasure Pulse' both bands based in Sydney. I also travelled many countries including USA, India, Turkey, Thailand. I lived in London for three years doing 'temp' work and taking time off to travel extensively around the UK, Ireland and Europe.
In recent years I sung in a contemporary folk trio called 'Halkian' and more recently I was singing in a band called 'Indigo Dingo' on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.
Last February, a muso friend who was in 'Pleasure Pulse' with me during the 80's suggested I 'stand in' for their singer who couldn't do a 'club' gig due to family commitments. The gig was in Newcastle however, over 1000 kms away! I had 44 songs to perform, most of which are rock & roll standards. This gig was too important to cancel, so I was honoured that he & the other members of 'Hell-Bent' felt they could rely on me. It was a great night, the gig went really well and considering we had only one practice the night before the gig, it was amazing we were so tight musically. Thank you Helen for allowing me the opportunity to 'stand in'. Jeff recorded the last set, so I have added some songs to my music page. I was back in Newcastle for other gig in mid December. This time we filmed all the sets, check out my videos to see some of the songs performed.
I have sung for as long as I can remember. My grandmother would get me to sing old 'music hall' songs on the kitchen table at the age of 5. Music was constant during my school years. I did a couple of school musicals and also sung in school and church choirs. I also sung with the 'Linnet Girls Choir' at the newly opened Sydney Opera House in the early 70's.
My mother, who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) and who had a couple of minor roles in British films and had also performed in many stage shows, introduced me to musical comedy and by the time I was 18 I had performed in at least 20 different musicals.
During the 80's I was lead vocalist in 'Get Smart' and 'Pleasure Pulse' both bands based in Sydney. I also travelled many countries including USA, India, Turkey, Thailand. I lived in London for three years doing 'temp' work and taking time off to travel extensively around the UK, Ireland and Europe.
In recent years I sung in a contemporary folk trio called 'Halkian' and more recently I was singing in a band called 'Indigo Dingo' on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.
Last February, a muso friend who was in 'Pleasure Pulse' with me during the 80's suggested I 'stand in' for their singer who couldn't do a 'club' gig due to family commitments. The gig was in Newcastle however, over 1000 kms away! I had 44 songs to perform, most of which are rock & roll standards. This gig was too important to cancel, so I was honoured that he & the other members of 'Hell-Bent' felt they could rely on me. It was a great night, the gig went really well and considering we had only one practice the night before the gig, it was amazing we were so tight musically. Thank you Helen for allowing me the opportunity to 'stand in'. Jeff recorded the last set, so I have added some songs to my music page. I was back in Newcastle for other gig in mid December. This time we filmed all the sets, check out my videos to see some of the songs performed.
Why this name?
Well actually for the first six weeks of my life I was called 'Denise Stafford', just in case my birth mother (Ann Stafford) is out there looking for me. My adopted parents named me after the actress Susan Hayward, my mother had a great respect for her as an actor and had a minor role in a movie she filmed in England in the early 50's.
Do you play live?
Vocally I am very versatile and capable to sing all genres well. I have always sung in bands that played their own original material. However recently I have been 'standing in' for the vocalist of a cover band called 'Hell-Bent' from Newcastle. It's been great fun and I've had the opportunity to extend my repertoire, which is great because I 'jam' with many other musos at a number of jam sessions around the Sunshine Coast.
Probably the most memorable moment was a gig with my first band. We were support band for the 'Hoodoo Gurus' in the early 80's. It was such a great gig and the 'gurus' were lovely guys, they were very generous, supportive and professional.
Probably the most memorable moment was a gig with my first band. We were support band for the 'Hoodoo Gurus' in the early 80's. It was such a great gig and the 'gurus' were lovely guys, they were very generous, supportive and professional.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
So many people have their own home studios these days to record their music. The internet has provided a great way to be heard. Musical careers can really get a 'kick start' simply by putting a song on 'soundclick' or 'youtube'.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Who wouldn't like to sign a record contract!! But at 51, I am realistic enough to know that a record contract is not something that is likely to come my way.
I do not sing for 'fame or fortune'. I sing for the love of it, I feel an emptiness within me without music in my life.
I do not sing for 'fame or fortune'. I sing for the love of it, I feel an emptiness within me without music in my life.
Your influences?
I have many musical influences, but try not to stick to any one genre. I get bored easily with singing the same song, the same way and like to alter it vocally using my whole vocal range.
Favorite spot?
I love the part of Queensland where I'm living now. My favourite city would have to be London and my favourite part of the world is Goa in India.
Equipment used:
I use an M-Box 2 Mini with Protools 8LE, a Shure Beta58A Microphone and of course my vocal chords.
Anything else...?
Photos
Susan Raines
Hell-Bent - Standing-in as lead vox
Singing with Hell-Bent
Indigo Dingo
Doing what I love best
Performing with Jo Peace
Performing with Jo Peace
Performing with Jo Peace
Two thirds of Halkian - Jo and Bob
Pleasure Pulse (1983)
Pleasure Pulse (1983)
Pleasure Pulse (1983)

