Liz Suwandi Q & A

In 2008, Tech N9ne released his double album Killer. This would be the first time that I was introduced to the Lovely and Talented Liz Suwandi. Her vocals would be heard on the track Poisonous off of the first cd. From there, I was hooked on her hypnotic voice.

She possesses the kind of voice that can lure you into a web knowing that there might be a black widow patiently waiting for you. Since that first appearance, she has made several memorable appearances on Tech's albums as well as other Strange Music artists.

I was very intrigued to learn more about this mystery woman behind all these hits. I reached out to her and after a little persuading, she accepted my request.

This was conducted 3/2014

DPG = Me
LS = Liz

Enjoy!

DPG: Where exactly are you from?

LS: Well I was born in Southeast Asia , but my parents traveled around the world doing missionary work so I grew up in numerous countries. Most of our time was spent in Southeast Asia , Mexico, and Texas.

DPG: What ethnicity are you?

LS: My mother is German-Dutch , Scottish and English and my father is Javanese Indonesian.

DPG: When did you first discover that you could sing? 

LS: I don't ever remember not singing as my family was very musical and music was always a part of my life. My mother told me that my first major performance was the age of 2 & 1/2 singing a solo in a Christmas program dressed as an angel . She said I sang for an audience of 3000 people.

DPG: Do you play any instruments?

LS: I play guitar and piano 

DPG: Who were some of your influences in music growing up?

LS: I grew up pretty sheltered and I wasn't really allowed to listen to secular music so most of my early musical influences I was exposed to was the original music  being composed around me by the musicians that were living with my family and I.

DPG: I first heard you on Tech’s Killer album. You were featured on the track Poisonous. How did that collaboration come about?

LS: Tech just asked me to come to the studio and hear this beat that he was working which he originally wanted to call the song " Paint a Dark Picture ,"so I took the beat home . As I started writing to it I had a different idea for a theme. I wanted it to be the anti-thesis of a usual hip-hop song, meaning that a lot of songs talk about women in a misogynistic manner calling them groupies, leeches , etc. I wanted to flip it to a young female perspective and say, "Hey, maybe you guys are having these experiences with women because of your behavior, it's not all the women's fault, like you are the ones bringing in these young, naive girls , but then you turn around and call them hoes, groupies etc."  Like take responsibility for your own experience! 

LS: So I brought the song back to Tech , I told him I changed the title and concept , he understood it and wrote  exactly what I had hoped he would write to it , and there you go, the rest is history . A lot of people ask us if we are writing those songs based on our experience with each other and that is definitely not the case . I write a lot from an observation point of view when it comes to writing with Tech. We talk and vibe out and then I think a lot about his experience and I weave in thoughts or ideas into my writing that are topics I feel are congruent to his feelings and I draw from my own life experiences as well, then I put something together for him based on what I can feel is going on inside his head.That is basically my process whenever I write for anyone.Tech is very honest with his lyrics which is what makes him such a great artist. 

DPG: When did you first meet Tech N9ne?

LS: I met him at a club that Krizz Kaliko was DJing at.

DPG: Had you previously been a fan of Tech’s and Strange music?

LS: No , they gave me the Absolute Power cd and I loved it.

DPG: I saw that you were also featured on a track with Digital Underground back in 2008 titled Who’s bumpin. How did you link up with those guys?

LS: A friend of mine asked me to do a show with them cause they needed a female singer. So I did the show and then Shock asked me to write with him for his their new album and go on tour with them. So I did that for about a 1&1/2 years.

DPG: It would be a while before you were featured on another Tech album. In fact, it wasn’t until his epic All 6sand 7s. You were on the hypnotic Cult Leader song. How did you re-connect with Tech and Strange?

LS: Well I was signed to a label in LA for awhile so I wasn't really anywhere around for Tech to get a hold of me. I re-connected with Tech when I came back to visit my family in the Midwest. Tech and I were swapping life stories and I was telling him about my up bringing and he was telling me about how the world views his fanatical fans. He played the beat for me and I grabbed a pen and paper and 5 minutes later the hook for Cult Leader was born.

DPG: Were you actively trying to collaborate with more artists or even focusing on your music career between those albums (2008-2012)?
 LS: Well, I was signed to another label in LA.I worked with several producers and artists during that time period. 

DPG: It strikes me as odd that you haven’t released a solo project yet. Is there any particular reason why that hasn’t come to fruition?

LS: Well there have been several things that have happened which I don't really feel like getting into at the moment, but mostly I have been very particular about what I have been wanting for my solo project. It is in the works at the moment.

DPG: You’ve been on the last two Tech albums Welcome To Strangeand (WTSL) and Something Else as well. What’s your favorite track that you’ve recorded with Tech?

LS: They all kind of have a special place in my heart for one reason or another, but I would have to say that I really enjoyed writing and recording The Real Thing off of Welcome To Strangeland and Drowning off of Something Else.

DPG: I like all the tracks you’re featured on, but Drowning might be my favorite. How long does it take you to write down your lyrics for a song?  

LS: I usually write pretty quickly. It generally takes me only 30 minutes or so to write. The part that takes me time is rehearsing before I actually go into the studio to record. I have to make sure that I'm really satisfied with a melody before I go into record.

DPG: Did you write your lyrics to any of the songs before the actual verses were recorded?

LS: Yes all of them , I write alone at my house before I go into record.

DPG: Does the beat tell you what to write or do you strictly base it off the title of the song?

LS: It depends. Sometimes it's a feeling the beat gives me or maybe Tech will tell me an idea for a title and then I go off of that.

DPG: How would you describe your musical sound?

LS: Alternative and Indie.

DPG: Have you been approached to be featured on any other Strange Music tracks, but ended up getting left off for some reason?

LS: No

DPG: Who are some other artists in the music industry that you’d like to work with?

LS: I really love Mos Def. I also think it would be amazing to write a song with Dolly Parton, Chino from Deftones and Trent Reznor of NIN.

DPG: Do you have any favorite rappers outside of Strange Music?

LS: NAS was the first hip-hop artist I ever got into. Mos Def and close friends of mine that are super dope that stay on the DL.

DPG: You’ve been featured on a lot more Strange Music artist’s albums as well. You were on two songs with Ces Cru, Devil on my Mind with Mayday, Layin Down with Krizz Kaliko, and Rise with Wrekonize.

DPG: A lot of those songs are great, but I think your voice really brings it all together. I think it’s a testament to your talent. There are lots of times where a song is great, but the hook is awful. Do you feel your vocals round out the songs that you are featured on?

LS: Well I always try to do the best work I can do, so I sure hope so. LOL!

DPG: Did you enjoy filming the videos from Something Else? Do you have a favorite?

LS: I liked Love 2 Dislike Me because I really enjoyed working on a song with a different sound for Tech. I'm more of a rock chick  so I liked working on that. 

   

DPG: I remember a while back, Tech was talking about needing a first lady for Strange Music. I thought you’d be a shoe in. Has Tech or Travis ever approached you about this or possibly signing with the label and being that person? 

LS: Yes!

DPG: Obviously, you have to make a living to get by in life. What type of work do you do outside of music to make a living?

LS: I make animal balloons and face paint. LOL (this is actually true ). I  just do music right now, but I have done all kinds of things to get by. I worked as a make-up artist , bartender, sales rep for an Ad agency, vocal teacher , waitress, back-up singer, vocal production, songwriting consultant, and model.

DPG: Do you believe in ghostwriting? I mean that in terms of having someone else write a song that you’d sing or vice versa?

LS: I have tried that, but I don't like it . It  really doesn't work for me. I have to write what I sing.

DPG: On that note, have you ghostwritten any songs that are out there? 

LS: Yes

DPG: Is there anything else you’d like to say or promote?

LS: Keep an eye out for the solo project we are working on. It is called The Lotus Series, to be released in 4 parts. Volume I will be called Playing With Perception.

DPG: Well, I’d just like to say thank you for taking the time to speak with me. It was a pleasure. You’re very talented and I look forward to your upcoming work!

Follow Liz Suwandi on Twitter @ESuwandi    

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More Q & A sessions to come!
Thanks for reading!

dpgmarine