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ZIBA SHIRAZI Voice of Women YOU GET WHAT YOU FEEL By Andrew Matthews FIREFIGHTER DOWN Susannah Wounded Warriors Program for An Artist's Firefghter Artistic B FEARLESS Legacy FRIENDSHIP By Katherine Jegede BRITWEEK & THE WALLIS COINCIDENCE or SYNCHRONICITY? By Nancy E. Yearout

JUNE 2018 USANNAH An Artist's SArtistic Legacy B

6 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e June 2018 Photography by Brenda Saint Hilaire Photography | Hair & Make up by Edward Hakopian 8 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e June 2018 Susannah Blinkof was born and raised in Manhattan, New York by legendary parents and was destined to live a life in the arts. Her father, Richard Blinkof, was a renowned photographer specializing in fashion.

Her mother, Carol Hall, a composer-lyricist who toured with Kris Kristoferson and Don McLean in the 1970’s, recorded two albums for Electra Records, and wrote songs for the children’s classic Free to be You and Me and the infamous Broadway show, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Susannah’s parents delighted in their creativity and always encouraged their children to do the same. Her childhood was flled with music and theatre. She attended the ever- liberal Little Red School House in Greenwich Village, an artistic, progressive, and politi- cally charged environment where many of the teachers and parents marched in the 1960’s civil rights protests. Tis atmosphere played a prominent role in defning her spiritual interests and shaping who she is today.

She grew up surrounded by successful writers and musicians, where the high-school hangout was backstage at 46th Street Teatre (now Te Richard Rodgers Teatre) and parties were flled with family friends like Lesley Gore "It’s My Party", (Annie) and (Floyd Collins, Light in the Piazza) playing songs in the living room.

Yet it hadn’t occurred to Susannah that she, too, would write songs one day. At the time, her interest was acting. She made her of-Broadway debut when she was just a high school freshman, and continued her education at Brown University, where she acted in over 20 plays alongside fellow students Laura Linney, Richard Topol, Tim Blake Nelson, Todd Haynes, and Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, among others.

Susannah went on to become an accomplished singer/songwriter, actress and screenwriter. Her smooth, sultry voice voice has been compared to superstars such as Diana Ross and Eva Cassidy. She’s written songs for movies and TV shows such as My Super Ex-Girl- friend. Multiple songs from her album Let’s Pretend made the Billboard charts in Hawaii, Nebraska, and North Carolina. Her latest album Far More just hit the airwaves this year.

As a screenwriter, she was a co-writer the award-winning flm BellyFruit and its opening song with composer/producer Stephen Bray, which enjoyed a successful run on Showtime as well as the independent flm circuit.

Above all, Susannah is an educator and activist who believes in the healing power of mu- sic. More specifcally, she’s committed to helping disadvantaged people fnd their voices. She has taught acting and writing to homeless teens and teenage mothers, and currently leads a weekly singing class for incarcerated and recently paroled men in Los Angeles. She also volunteers with foster youth, and has fostered other children as well.

Susannah currently lives with her husband, son, and 2 fufy dogs in Los Angeles, CA.

9 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e June 2018 What inspired you to be creative? a very “pop songwriting” approach, but I enjoy the twist I was inspired by my parents from the very start. Tey of knowing what the song is about before I even begin are both artistic entrepreneurs, which can be difcult at writing. times, but so very fulflling. My mom, Carol Hall, is a singer-songwriter who recorded two albums for Elektra A few years ago, I was attending a workshop led by the Records in the ’70’s and toured with Don McLean and medium, Paul Selig "Te Book of Knowing and Worth". Kris Kristoferson. She also wrote songs for , He channels the wisdom of spiritual guides that I reso- Free to Be You & Me, and the score for the long-running nate with deeply. During the workshop he mentioned the Broadway hit Te Best Little Whorehouse in Texas which was words, “far more” and they spoke to me as a song title. I later made into a movie. ran with the title and worked it into a full-on lyric. I was so inspired that I went back to my hotel room and recorded My dad gave up a career in science and instead chose to be a demo version of the song on my laptop using Garage a fashion photographer. Tey both raised me to value the Band. I later shared it my co-producer John Ballinger and talents I was gifted with and to share them creatively. we began building the track from there.

How did you get started being a singer? What inspires you most to write a song? I grew up going to a lot of Broadway theatre and loved the I write a lot of songs about inner soul-searching and musical aspect. I sang all through my childhood and as a spiritual concepts like forgiveness, conscious choices, and teen did some “professional children” showcases at night gratitude. Psychological concepts, I suppose. Tese are clubs. But being so young, it was common practice for aspects of life that I’m drawn to personally and I also be- child actors to have their parents drive them to auditions lieve that they are universally supportive. Tere are also a and take care of them backstage—something my parents few love songs and break-up songs sprinkled throughout didn’t have the time for, as enthusiastic as they were about my song catalogue but not many. I want my songs to be my talents. Tis put an intermission on my dreams for a musical afrmations, anthems and lullabies for humanity. while. Who is your favorite songwriter or singer? It wasn’t until my late twenties when I was trying to quit Tat’s impossible to answer, I can’t choose one favor- smoking cigarettes that I realized singing would be the per- ite! I’d say my favorite songwriters are: My mom, Irving fect substitute. I started to really appreciate the sound of Berlin, Alec Wilder, Carole King, Lucinda Williams, my voice and loved the way it felt to sing. It fed my heart Alanis Morissette, Taylor Swift, Sting and Lin-Manuel and soul in a way that nothing had before. Over the years, Miranda. And my favorite singers are: Ella Fitzgerald, I created my own personal style of singing, much diferent Nina Simone, Bette Midler, Sheryl Crow, Aretha Franklin from my mom’s. and Alanis Morissette.

Tell us about your songwriting process. How do you balance your music with other daily re- I’m not particularly disciplined about writing, so I do well sponsibilities? with deadlines. On occasion, I’ve literally had to commit I would say it’s like juggling, but I don’t even know how to making an album frst, in order to push myself to cre- to juggle! Te truth is that I’m extremely lucky to have the ate songs. I really enjoy the process of taking my songs fnancial freedom to hire help when it’s needed. My hus- to a studio and working alongside a producer. Together band also assists around the house and understands that we choose musical elements that layer into my songs and my music is more than a hobby. Even so, I have an endless bring them to life. Recording a song is almost like cooking list of things to do and the moment I cross of one thing, in this way. I’m adding another to the bottom!

Before I record, it’s kind of a quiet, magical experience Being an indie artist requires me to self-motivate. I’m the where I’ll just hear a melody or a phrase in my head, and one who has to push myself to keep creating. No one’s call- a song starts forming. Sometimes I sit at the piano and ing me up with deadlines or asking what’s next. Tat drives fgure out chords. I’ve also been inspired to create a song me a little crazy. I really look forward to the day when just by something that someone says, especially if it sounds people hire me to create. I’m sure I’ll still have a mile-long like a great song title. I love working from a title frst. It’s to-do list, but my priorities will be much more clear.

10 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e June 2018 11 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e June 2018 spirituality is inclusive and universal. Te grooves are slow, but danceable. You can stretch or walk fast to the beats. Photography by Sharon Schuster Sharon by Photography Te songs have elements of pop, funk, world, and soul all Where is your dream venue to Perform? used in surprising ways. Much like Portishead mixed with I love performing in intimate venues. For instance, this Madonna’s, Ray of Light. year I’m doing a series of house concerts to raise mon- ey for diferent charities. I also have several mini-tours scheduled in Texas, Los Angeles and Northern California. Tat being said, my absolute dream place to Perform- would be at Te Hollywood Bowl—one of my all-time favorite places in Los Angeles.

Why did you decide to be a singer and songwriter? I believe we’re all are here on the planet to share our tal- ents and gifts to enrich the world. It’s as though we’re each given a unique gift as another form of communication to reach out and touch the hearts of others. I almost want to say that I didn’t choose to be a singer/songwriter, it chose me. And it wants to be shared. I hope to inspire, empower and relax people with my music.

How would you categorize your music? I would say my music has an eclectic mixed style of ethe- real-soulful-chill-spiritual groove. I’ve also heard others refer to it as “hypnotic” and “uplifting,” which I like. Te

12 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e June 2018 has cleaned up and monitors the Santa Monica Bay, and STEAMcoders, a group that makes technology and coding classes available to underserved kids in the San Gabriel Valley. Also, of course, Amity Foundation, where I work with parolees. Photography by Randee Trabitz. Randee by Photography Why are you passionate about music? Where can Eden Magazine readers fnd more informa- Music is extremely healing and is scientifcally proven to tion about you? have benefcial efects on our nervous systems and hearts. I Check out www.susannahb.com for video clips and links have also personally seen and felt it’s healing efects. Every to my albums. I’ll be releasing my new video “I Am Here” week I teach a singing class to a group of recently paroled this spring. men at a rehab facility. Tey are often very guarded and defensive, and I watch as music softens them to a smile. Do you have any upcoming performances? Tey have repeatedly told me how cheered up and ener- I have a few house concerts over the summer. Te locations gized my one-hour singing class leaves them. And every can be found on my website or on Instagram week, for the last two and a half years, I’ve seen it in action; @susannahbmusic. shifting and lifting their spirits in some way. Tis is the reason I’m so passionate about music and why I believe in Is there a message that you would like to leave with our its magical, healing efects. readers? Yes! Everyone is blessed with something to share. An ad- Which charity is close to your heart and why? ditional way to communicate and connect with others. A Tere are actually many charities that my husband and I talent or skill, extra time, extra money, extra anything. have been supporting for years. Lately we’ve started pro- Share this with those around you and with your communi- ducing house concerts where he cooks a big dinner and I ty. Get involved, even in the smallest way. We have to take do a jazzy cabaret act with a 4-piece band. We raise money care of each other more. We are all on this planet together, for whatever charity our host wants to support to help peo- it is time to live together, harmoniously. We have more ple, the environment, kids, or animals. Every gift means a than we think we do. Tink of a way you can give to those great deal to a small charity. who have less than you.

A few weeks ago, we raised almost $8,000 in one eve- www.susannahb.squarespace.com ning! Te charities we support are: Peace4Kids, serving www.instagram.com/susannahbmusic foster youth in South Los Angeles, Heal the Bay, which www.facebook.com/susannahbmusic

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