2014 Schedule
Interactive: March 7–11  •  Film: March 7–15  •  Music: March 11–16

Suzanne Vega

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Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been labeled contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world's best-known halls. In performances devoid of outward drama that nevertheless convey deep emotion, Vega sings in a distinctive, clear vibrato-less voice that has been described as "a cool, dry sandpaper- brushed near-whisper" and as "plaintive but disarmingly powerful."

Since Suzanne’s debut 25 years ago she has sold over 7 million albums and has been nominated for 7 Grammy awards. Her song “Luka” about child abuse was a surprise hit and won MTV’s Best Female Video. Suzanne was the first artist on the main stage at the very first Lilith Fair. Her voice and song “Tom’s Diner” was used in the refinement of the MP3, earning her the nickname “The Mother of the MP3”. Suzanne recorded “Tom’s Diner” a cappella but it has since been remixed upwards of 25 times (including most famously by DNA, but also Will Smith, REM, Tupac, Jars of Clay, Destiny's Child, Lil Kim, and Ludacris) Suzanne was also the first major label artist to perform a concert on Second Life in the form of an avatar.

This February Suzanne is releasing her eighth album, her first studio recording of new material in seven years. Called Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles, 10 new songs each telling a story that has to do with the material world and the world of the spirit and how they intersect.

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