From Texas Roots to Global Stages: The Cinematic World of Indie Pop’s Boldest New Voice.
Meet Susannah Joffe, Rising Indie Pop Artist
Texas’s grown artist, Susannah Joffe, is taking the industry by storm with her experimental creative decisions, ethereal sound, and ability to command a stage. Fresh off the international “Girl Violence Tour” opening for King Princess, Susannah Joffe has moved from her hometown of Texas to global stages, bringing her fresh, daring sound to audiences worldwide.
Susannah Joffe is an indie pop and dream rock artist whose sound intersects with cinematic musical compositions and avant-garde storytelling. Her seamless voice and artistry are rooted in her background in film, and she has created more than just music; she has built a full visual identity. Susannah Joffe enjoys experimenting with visual color palettes, scenes, clothing, and aesthetics. Her image-driven narratives complement her sound, creating a listening experience that surpasses the ordinary and invites an immersive one to live in.
Artist to Artist: Why
In examining artists’ to artist potential interviews, I knew Susannah Joffe was special. Her sound was unique. I could hear elements of Chappel Roan, Mazzy Star, and Lana Del Ray, yet Susannah Joffe has a special sonic structure and string lines that felt true to her music. But it wasn’t just the music; it was her visual storytelling that accompanied it. She is the main creative and director for all of her music videos, aesthetics, and image, and this is what I found most fascinating. She had the ability to fully capture her music in visual media, which is why I wanted to sit down with her to discuss how she developed an image and identity that uplifted her artistry.
This past Friday, March 13th, I attended her live performance at Central Machine Works hosted by Austin’s annual conference, South By Southwest, or SXSW, and dived deeper into how Susannah Joffe has created and inspired her identity as an artist.
Artist to Artist Interview with Susannah Joffe
One thing I really love is the ethereal and dreamlike quality to your sound. How have you developed your sound and listened to your gut to stay authentic to who you are?
I think I am so paranoid about pretending to be something… I am constantly searching for an honest sound and an honest style. I think the more I make music and keep chugging away at it, the more I hammer away until I get to the gem of the most authentic sound.
You have created a visual story with your aesthetic and different songs, exploring different storylines about yourself. Do you get inspired by specific films or music that shape the persona or image you are creating?
I am definitely very image-based; I spend so much time on Pinterest… I have to set screen time on there. I went to film school, and even before that, I had always been a very visual person. I have so many images in my head… of sounds that would pair so well with them. I have a running note list of every image that pops into my head, and I look back on it.
There’s a noticeable shift in your aesthetics, from a cooler, darker palette to a warmer red-and-pink color scheme surrounding “Texas Baby.” Do you ever feel pressure to change it up all the time, or do you get excited about experimenting?
I honestly feel pressured not to change up; I feel pressured to be really consistent across the board with the production, mixing, lyricism, styling, visuals, and the colors of every song. But I love to play, experiment, and have fun… I’m always evolving.
Did you always have this innate taste and creative vision, or do you think it develops over time? Sometimes it’s hard for artists to listen to their creative voices, because it can be overwhelming or scary.
As a kid, my best friends and I would choreograph a weird, avant-garde dance for the talent show. While some of us would sing and some would dance in weird tutus and makeup. I feel like I was always doing some variation of this as a kid, but it took me a long time to trust that creative voice and not put it down or question it and really listen to my gut. I feel like I am finally at a place where I understand what it is to trust your gut, but it took this long to get here.
You just came off a big opening tour with King Princess on the Girl Violence Tour this past December. How was that experience for you?
It was amazing. I have never cried on stage before, but at the London show I really did. It was a really emotional experience for me; I didn’t think I was going to be playing shows abroad for years, honestly.
I remember when my managers told me, I literally started jumping all around my house, going to each room and jumping up and down.
To all the aspiring artists out there, what piece of advice would you want to give an artist?
I truly believe the best piece of advice is to be consistent. Release a song, and keep releasing every two months. Post all the time. You have to ride the wave, not take anything too seriously, and just be consistent.
Artist to Artist is a community built on championing the creative voice and the dedication behind the craft.
Are you an artist with a story to tell? If you are a musician, filmmaker, or creator interested in being featured in this segment, contact Isabella@artist-to-artist.net.
About the Reporter:
Isabella Allon is a field reporter and the creator of Artist to Artist, a series that documents the journeys, struggles, and inspirations of the modern-day artist. https://linktr.ee/IsabellaAllon
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