The last time Susanna graced these pages was when I shared a live performance of her covering Joy Division’s Wilderness at St. Edmund’s Church in Oslo. The track featured on her 2018 album Go Dig My Grave. This new Wilderness song, however, is not a cover but her own, taken from Garden of Earth Delights’ which was released earlier this year with her new band the Brotherhood of Our Lady. It’s a fitting name when you consider the imagery she has taken for her inspiration – that of the Early Netherlandish master Hieronymus Bosch.
The Garden of Earthly Delights is the modern title given to one of his triptych oil paintings which he painted between 1490 and 1510. There has been plenty of discussion about its meaning and interpretation as his intentions were not clear. With such strong imagery being the core influence behind an album, creating a suitable video could have been no easy task.
Speaking about the video, Susanna said “I have wanted to make an animated video to my music for a long time, but it was about looking for the right person and opportunity to do so. I discovered the work of Lori Damiano through Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s music, she has made art work for several of his releases. My album is inspired by the Dutch 14th century artist Hieronymus Bosch, and his vivid, surreal and colourful world. The video for ‘Wilderness’ is a gorgeous fairytale based on my song and Bosch’s art; with colours, animals, spirits, different creatures and humor. I am so excited to show you this beautiful video by Lori Damiano.”
On ‘Garden of Earthly Delights’, her 13th album, Susanna takes a selection of Bosch’s paintings as starting points for a fervent, poetic rosary of fantastical songs and stories. Tracks like “Gluttony and Lust”, “Death and the Miser” and “Ship of Fools”, reflect Bosch’s depictions of sin and human weakness, while “Wayfarer”, “Ecstasy” and “Beautiful Life” suggest the transcendent search for spiritual rewards.
Susanna live dates
27.04.19 Susanna Jazzahead! CLUBNIGHT (Bremen) Germany
26.05.19 Susanna ‘Go Dig My Grave’ Nattjazz (Bergen) Norway
30.05.19 Joni Mitchell Tribute Nattjazz (Bergen) Norway
01.06.19 Susanna & David Wallumrød Moskus (Trondheim) Norway
25.06.19 Susanna Risør Kammermusikkfestival (Risør) Norway
03.07.19 Joni Mitchell Tribute Kongsberg Jazzfestival (Kongsberg) Norway
20.07.19 Susanna ‘Go Dig My Grave’ Moldejazz (Molde) Norway
14.08.19 Susanna & the Brotherhood of Our Lady Oslo Jazzfestival (Oslo) Norway
https://www.susannasonata.com/
Photo Credit: Signe Fuglesteg Luksengard