Suzy Starlite | 1966
Born in 1966, I am a Fire Horse. A rare, high-energy year in the Chinese zodiac and the time feels right to finally release the songs I have written.
It feels a bit surreal writing this note to you with the news that this year I will be releasing my first solo album.
My husband and musical collaborator Simon Campbell gave a tantalising glimpse behind the music in our New Year’s article a couple of months ago. You can read it again by clicking the read button below.
// 1966
Why a solo album, you may ask? It’s all my own work, lyrics and music, plus I’m singing, playing bass, keyboards and acoustic guitar—so it makes perfect sense.
The songs come from a deeply personal place, written when I had lost a sense of myself, in a place I didn’t want to be, struggling on my own with aching self-doubt.
I’m an incredibly private person and from time to time, whether it is chemical or planetary, suffer from debilitating waves of imposter syndrome and sub-zero confidence, where I don’t feel good enough—slowly drowning.
A while back now, I stayed up for a few weeks with my acoustic guitar, a bottle of Jack Daniels and Diet Coke and wrote by candlelight through the night. I was restless, felt like I had lost myself and needed to find my voice and the music inside me.
Drifting, embracing solitude, humming melodies, thinking of nothing, waiting patiently to find a glimpse of my soul. It took a few days until the music started to flow; sometimes I sobbed, sometimes I wrote with angry defiance, other times with gentle wonder.
// Year of the Fire Horse
That journey to find my voice led me back to my roots, and to the symbol that has always defined my spirit: I am a Fire Horse, born on 8th July, 1966.
With its roots in the ancient lunar calendar tradition, the Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle in which each year is represented by an animal sign: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig - attributing certain personality traits to various birth years.
Add to this the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water, and rotate—creating a 60-year cycle. Each element is believed to influence one’s traits and destiny.
For me, Fire is the element of transformation—the heat that burns away self-doubt to reveal the spirit beneath.
The Fire Horse is a rare, high-energy year. The Horse is a “yang” energy: dynamic, vital, bold. It’s an animal that symbolises strength, freedom, forward motion, courage and power. These characteristics are amplified by Fire, a flamboyant element that represents boldness, passion and action.
alternatively, you can…
The fire horse reigns. Artist Patti Smith wrote these words about the year of the Fire Horse:
“A foal breaking from his mother flying across a field as children cry keep growing, keep going. And his hooves were fitted in gold forged by the God of flame, tempered by the embers raced upon. Jump through the blazing hoop was the exalted command, yet he suddenly performed the unexpected. Without hesitation he hurdled high above it. No one saw that coming, not the Ringmaster, nor the farrier, nor the giddy children who followed him through time. Laurels were tossed about his neck, bright ribbons tied to the rings of his saddle, a silver saddle, flung from an inferno, not fashioned by the hands of man. You can do anything, they all cried, as he leapt into the maze of the future, in a ring of fire with his hair aflame.” - Patti Smith
And here is a piece written by Jesse Paris Smith, daughter of Patti.
// 1966 album preview concert
From thoughts on paper and music from the heart under the late-night glow of candlelight, I am thrilled to announce a very special 1966 solo album preview concert on Saturday, 9th May in the beautiful city of Caldas da Rainha, Portugal. Doors open at 1930.
Along with my four-piece band, I will be performing at the Atelier-Museu António Duarte, bringing these new songs to life in a space that celebrates the same creative fire that forged them.
Since the Atelier-Museu is an intimate setting, it’s going to be a rare, “in the room” experience before the rest of the world hears the record.
Due to the intimate size of the space, tickets for the event are limited; I recommend purchasing them in advance. Click the read button below to find out more and book tickets.
See you there!
Much love
Suzy