This Dayton based singer/songwriter with roots from Kentucky sets herself apart within the country music genre.
Growing up in Kentucky, Jamie Suttle had a multitude of musical influences that are present in the South like R&B, blues, soul and gospel.
Suttle records at In The Red Recording in Dayton, which was opened and is run by her husband Chris Suttle. Studio musicians working there were friends of Suttle, which was a connection that sparked the eventual recording of her first album, “This Is My Story.” Something clicked after Suttle recorded a single with her friends and the process to record the album followed shortly thereafter.
“We didn’t expect anything to come of it, but we had a great time playing together and writing together. We just decided to make it happen,” Suttle said.
Suttle writes and records songs that have a deep personal connection, which can create an awkward situation at times.
“When you play in a band with your husband and his friends sometimes that can be a little awkward depending on what you’re singing about.”
“I think they’re a huge part of the reason that it turned out the way it did. It’s fun because I am playing with my best friends,” Suttle said. “It’s really cool having them on stage together because we all know each other well enough to know what the next move is going to be.”
Writing lyrics that have a personal connection act as a method of therapy, according to Suttle.
“For me writing is definitely therapeutic,” Suttle said. “I would say I just take from my personal life or if I have a friend that is going through something, I take from how they feel and write about it because I think that it’s important to say something in your music.”
The other members of Suttle’s band have influences in rock, which she mixes her various musical roots with to create an alternative country sound. This was demonstrated in her album. Suttle prides herself on breaking away from the stereotypical image of country as one uniform genre.
“I don’t really fit the same standard mold that I feel like sometimes society sets for country music in general. I did want each track on the album to sound different,” Suttle said. “I wanted to be able to showcase all of the musicians that were playing and just the feel for the song.”
Aside from combining elements of different genres, Suttle adds a further distinction with an organic sound that is not synthesized or programmed. The organic sound of stomping and clapping was used in place of percussion in Suttle’s song, “Ms. Adeline.”
“I think we like everything to be raw and organic because that’s the place that I write from. I want the sound to mirror that,” Suttle said. “I don’t just want to be another standard act because I’m not.”
Suttle works at the Wright State box office and has involved students and faculty in several of her projects.
Wright State theater students provided the chorus in one of the songs on Suttle’s album. Wright State professor Jason Kaufman directed her new music video for her single “Flame,” which was shot at the site of the Wright Company airplane factory in Dayton. Wright State motion picture majors Alan Lewin, Joe Cook and design/technology major Ryan McCoy also contributed to the production of the video.
“We have so many incredibly talented kids. I was very happy and honored to be able to give them a space on the record,” Suttle said. “They were very excited and they’re very professional to work with. Our faculty really makes that a priority. They are helping to grow some pretty incredible artists.”
Senior mass communication student Heather Barnhart heads the social media pages for Jamie Suttle and her band. Barnhart explains that the inclusiveness of students is another thing that sets Suttle apart from other artists.
“I think it is awesome that Jamie includes faculty and students from Wright State. I don't know if I would have this job if she didn't,” Barnhart said. “She isn't just about herself getting ahead. She is supportive of pushing other young locals forward in their chosen career path as well.”
For more information on Jamie Suttle, her band and show schedule, go to www.jamiesuttle.com
