SammyQ Says Goodbye

So the time has come for me to move on. Its been a crazy fun-filled ride with the Suade boys and as I look back over the last 10 years to the first note I sang with the group in 1999, I’m filled with a feeling that I’ve been part of something very special.

Singing harmony in an all-male group is not something you find on every street corner, no matter how many 1970’s motown movies you watch may indicate otherwise! (unless of course, you’ve made a point of singing in male harmony ensembles from an early age, like I have! :-D)

The memories and experiences we’ve shared have been many and varied. However, I’m surprised by which ones stand out from the pack. Adventures such as our foray into the hyper-reality television show, X-Factor, sit side by side with the mind blowing sensation of singing round a massive camp fire in Alice Springs at dusk.

Our recent trip to Tasmania has been a particular highlight. Having met Chris and Loz in the Australian Boys Choir at the tender age of 8 years old, I felt a true ‘coming-full-circle’ event occurred when we performed with that very same choir in Burnie on our recent trip to Tasmania. The concert was a blast, and it reminded me of why I love singing – that bonding experience of performing together with friends and strangers alike in a massed choir!

My hat is off to Chris for having organised the many Suade appearances at various schools around Melbourne. I’ve especially enjoyed the chance to impart my knowledge and pass on our experience in masterclasses and workshops where we’ve help to inspire other singers (of all ages!) to improve their craft. Those “a-ha!” moments – where you see someone’s eyes light up – are, for me, what its really all about. Not to mention throwing a high-five to 300 kids in a row!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has ever come to a Suade gig and supported us. What Suade does, and what Suade represents, is unique. The cultural inhibitions that hold back Australian men from singing together can be traced to various historical, religious and possibly meta-physical reasons. But whatever those reasons may be, one fact remains: Aussie blokes just don’t sing very much. And as long as that’s the case, Suade will continue to offer something unique – and distinctly Australian.

I’m very excited about the original work that we’ve been creating over the past 12 – 18 months. There are some truly remarkable pieces of writing that have sprung forth from the well-spring of Suade. I know the next album will showcase this brilliance, and I’m sure it will be a success.

Big thanks to The Girlfriends who have always been there to help out with gigs, CDs, tickets and just generally putting up with our collective antics and, at times, our gruelling rehearsal schedules. Your endeavour is much appreciated! I’d especially like to thank my girlfriend, Nirmala, for all your support of Suade over the years, and especially for your artistic input into our song, “It’s Alright”!!

Finally, massive thanks to the guys! Rory, Ian, Jacko and Lozzo – the last 4 years have been magic! Without you, there’d be no newsletters, Monday night pizza, farts, fart jokes, fart noises or sweaty stench-filled dressing rooms! I will sorely miss these things! Making high-calibre acoustic music of this sort would be enough of a thrill, even if it meant making it with a bunch of losers. Fortunately, you guys are slightly less crap than that! :-D But seriously, performing at a high level of technical accomplishment with some of my best mates has been a privilege I wont ever forget. Its truly been an honour.

I wish you guys, and all the Suade fans out there, all the best for the future.

SammyQ