Sky Blue VOX is designed to expose the diverse range of vocalist Susie Lofton.
Susie's smoky voice and quality timbre have been remarked to be reminiscent of the classic rock vixen. Her control from genre to genre excels. From Gospel messenger, soul singer or jazz chanteuse, to the velvety ethereal heights of her range in dream pop ballads or Classical oratorio, the results are smooth, rich and beautiful! Whatever end of the musical spectrum, Susie's God given vocal gift, classical training, recording studio, voice over and commercial experience make her the perfect VOX for any project.
“Only the Lonely Can Play”
Enjoy this brief tribute to the band The Motels by The Susie Lofton Group
“Angel From Montgomery”
Enjoy this tribute to the legendary John Prine with The Susie Lofton Group
“Dreams”
Enjoy this behind the scenes snippet tribute to Fleetwood Mac
“Back on the Chain Gang”
Enjoy this behind the scenes snippet tribute to The Pretenders
Susie enjoys various live vocal engagements and band projects throughout the Chicagoland area, with genres ranging from rock, Indie-Americana folk, blues, Gospel, progressive rock, dream pop, punk and jazz.Some current shows and projects are listed herein…
Ex Maquina at the Palmhouse in Evanston, IL performing the original “Chanson du Roland et Willy”
Ex Maquina
Listen up..
…to an original song from a live performance…
iEX MAQUINA!
with Susie Lofton
Upcoming Shows
Double Clutch Brewing
Some Past Shows…
Mack’s
$25
DeSalvo’s
no cover
La Principal
$10
Mack’s
$25
LOFTON &MARTIN MUSIC
Extraordinary music. Acoustic instrumentation, and vocals tailored just for you. Holidays, sacred services, small gatherings or intimate venues. Lofton & Martin provide beautiful music for your special occasions...
Steve Martin
Multi-instrumentalist Steve Martin has been playing with Susie in various projects since 2014, most notably with his superb skills in banjo picking. Steve is also a composer, performer, and recording artist who has recorded six CD’s. Steve’s musical efforts have taken him into a number of styles, such as concert band, stage/jazz band, string orchestra, brass ensemble, Dixieland, Celtic, and bluegrass.
Susie Lofton
Vocalist and songwriter Susie Lofton excels within the musical genres of classical, rock, folk, jazz and gospel. Susie currently enjoys stage and studio projects with various music groups in the North Shore Chicagoland area. Her talents have taken her to notable venues across the U.S. and in the U.K. Susie has had the privledge to record at Gravity Studios, C.R.C in Chicago, and at acclaimed Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California.
SACRED SECULAR…SUBLIME
To contact: skybluevox1@gmail.com
The Sweet Maries
Enjoy this original song written by Susie Lofton in the band she shares with Amy Shoemaker, The Sweet Maries. “Does He Know” is a song of love and longing and can be found amongst other love songs on their new album “Love Hurts”
New Album Out Now
Seven songs. The Sweet Maries’ new album “Love Hurts” is an epic journey of originals and retellings, with tales of loves and losts. Featuring a small group of powerhouse instrumentalists in support, “Love Hurts” is awash with exceptional vocals from Susie Lofton and Amy Shoemaker, which lend to its lush production and is their most accomplished album to date. This release is expertly produced by Grammy nominated executive producer Jeffrey Wood.
“Love Hurts” is available on Sony Orchard Immersive sound suite through Deezer and Tidal Music. Stereo recordings are available for download on various platforms including Amazon, Soundcloud, and Band Camp.
Discography
The Sweet Maries
Amy Shoemaker and Susie Lofton in their self titled EP
Tall Trees & Riverbeds
“Tall Trees and Riverbeds forges a fascinating trail through dark and dreamy folk to feather-light pop music that has your heart turning and face smiling.”
-Hannah Frank (Source blog)
Love Hurts
An immaculate and beautifully crafted album of songs for lovers.
Hark
A holiday album of originals and retellings for the season’s spirit.
“Fat Man’s Holler”
Nominated for Best Music video at Chicago International Movies & Music Festival (CIMMfest).
"The gorgeous harmonies of Chicago-based band The Sweet Maries featuring Don Stiernberg and Jim Cox blend with the haunting Super 8 images of music film vet Jay Eckensberger in this melancholy tale of dissipation."
The Sweet Maries
holiday show
Amy Shoemaker
Susie Lofton
The Sweet Maries—Amy Shoemaker and Susie Lofton—are a harmony forward, female fronted singer-songwriter acoustic band that plays original songs and select covers from the ’60s and ’70s. The genres touched upon include Americana, Gospel, Folk, Jazz and Rock.
Very acoustic, very much listening music, very heavenly altogether.
Experiences
Susie’s love of entertainment has brought her to work professionally in feature film, print, stage and industrial corporate productions. Her transition from these venues into vocalizing has led her to recording projects and live performance across the globe.
VOX FOR HIRE
“Tomorrow Comes”
Susie is a VOX for hire. Enjoy this song engineered and recorded by Doug McBride at Gravity Studio. Written by John Kopp & Heidi Wohrle
“The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but the most difficult to play.”
— Richard Strauss
ADDITIONAL Projects…
“I love working as often as possible, and with as many styles and genres that my heart carries me to…”
-SKY BLUE VOX
“TEARS DO I”
SKY BLUE - vox
J Bird - GTR
Guest R. Tist - gtr
“WHole World”
SKY BLUE - vox
J-BRD - gtr
Guest R. Tist - perc
“ANGELS SAY”
SKY BLUE - vox
J Bird - GTR
Guest R. Tist - STIX
“California Crazy”
The band Spyder Monkey was an incredible experience. An original band with soul, funk and rocking grooves.
Album reviews: SPYDER MONKEY “Hear No Evil”
(Lyric) “I got my lover and I’ll take him to the backseat…”
A+ on the vocals. I love a girl who can belt a strong blues sound to rock music. You hit me in the heart with this one. The mix is good. All the levels are nicely portrayed, especially the transition from the verses to the chorus. Its really smooth.
The guitar solo was real ear friendly. I listened to this song a couple times and it gets better every time...and now its stuck in my head... Good job
— Garageband.com
“I like the eclectic and unique sound that Spyder Monkey generates! Guitarist Chuck Polanzani creates a cool vibe, with arpeggiated, distorted rhythm guitar riffs backed by bassist Jeff Blatherwick’s overdriven melodic bass lines. The percussion is off the hook too, as Mike Tooles bangs out lines that keep the tunes “California Crazy” and “Fool 4 U” hopping! ‘What about the vocals, you say?” Well, Susie Lofton does an awesome job, giving her all as she sings edgy lyrics in a full on Rock style! She does a little bit of everything, bringing a soulful voice to the music that is also heavily influenced by the likes of Melissa Etheridge and Stevie Nicks. In short, she has a great voice, and is capable of singing just about any style brilliantly!”
— Midwestbands.com
"Spyder Monkey’s music is topped off by the smooth vocals of Susie Lofton who more than makes her presence felt, but doesn't overpower the overall sound of the group."
— Trevor Fisher for the Illinois Entertainer
“SPYDER MONKEY is an eclectic mix of music with influences from fusion, rock, soul & jazz. A good indie-rock band. Lead singer Susie Lofton, sounds like a cross between an early-80s, Blondie-esque rock vixen and a late-60s, Grace Slick-esque psychedelic chanter, with a touch of 90s alt-pop singer-songwriter thrown in for crossover appeal. The rhythm sections churns out heavy, staccato rhythms, the lead guitar writhes and noodles with an appealingly unpretentious nod to classic rock, and the song structures are unconventional yet familiar-sounding."
— Northeast Music Magazine
UNSEEN
It all began with a few friends and a rehearsal spot on Superior Street in Chicago. Two of the three members would reignite to touch the sky from time to time, over a period of 10 years returning to the ethereal spaces and melodies that seemed to be haunting and inescapable. They would often confess to one another “…I can hear you playing on this…” The result is a relaxed creative writing project to share with the world.
Works in Progress…
“Cold”
A live recording.
Lofton - VOX & STIX
Ringo - AX