The Dynamic Energy of SUSU: Behind the Scenes with Liza Colby and Kia Warren

Songs & Stories

The story of SUSU’s inception is one of fate, mutual admiration, and a bit of New York City magic. Liza Colby’s psychedelic sensibilities met Kia Warren’s bluesy indie rock aesthetic, and the result was nothing short of electrifying. Both women have traversed a wide range of musical genres, including classic and heavy rock, and when they crossed paths, it was clear that something special was on the horizon.

“Our backgrounds span various genres, including rock and roll in all its forms,” Kia begins. “New York City has a very small community of Black women in rock and roll, so it felt inevitable that we would meet. Our connection was expedited through a mutual friend, Flannery, who raved about how much we’d love each other. And she was right.”

Liza adds, “When we started making music and performing together, we knew we were onto something. It was like the universe aligned, putting us in each other’s paths. We quickly developed a deep affection and admiration for each other as contemporaries in the NYC scene.”

The magic moment that sealed their collaboration happened at a club called Berlin, where Liza had a residency. After a chance encounter where Kia’s band filled in for a last-minute cancellation, they realized they had undeniable chemistry. They wrote their first song together in just 40 minutes—a song that ended up on their debut album.

“We were like, ‘Okay, we’re onto something,’” Liza recalls. “That was the beginning of what would become SUSU.”

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