Susan Anders

Singer-songwriter Susan Anders is known for her smart lyrics, her “soulful, commanding voice” (The New Yorker), and her pop-folk-Americana sound. For her newest album NOW I’M A KITE  she twisted rhythmic folk-pop with sharp lyrics exploring  transition, mourning, forgiveness, and renewal.  NOW I’M A KITE received extensive airplay, glowing reviews, and several puns: “Susan Anders soars with NOW I'M A KITE”  Ryan Emmert/World Music Central, “NOW I'M A KITE takes Anders to new heights.” Lee Zimmerman/blanknews.com. Her previous release 13 WOMEN  (”Stunning”: Bambi Grinder/Noteworthy Music) was filled with songs inspired by women in US history. This newer set  of songs  came straight from her post-pandemic life that included losing her father and moving across the country.

Over a career spanning several decades Anders has written and performed hundreds of songs. Her lyrical focus now is less on young love, more on mid-life issues like reinvention, forgiveness, healing, survival, materialism, and mourning. As Dirty Linen wrote: “This is music for adults: smart, witty, and insightful.”

Anders grew up in Berkeley, California, collected degrees from UC Santa Cruz and SF State, then spent her twenties singing, playing, and writing for a cappella, rock, jazz, and Motown bands that played throughout northern California. She also paid her bills by delivering singing telegrams wearing a table around her waist, and teaching doo-wop songs to Buddhist monks. After moving to Los Angeles in 1990 and meeting her future husband Tom Manche, they formed, toured, and recorded with their band Susan’s Room for the rest of the decade. Susan's Room disbanded amicably and Anders moved with Manche to Nashville, Tennessee in 2002, where she released four solo albums: Release (2005), Swimmer (2010), Loop de Loop (2016), and 13 Women (2021).  In 2023 Anders and Manche moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they live downtown with their dog Eddie. 

Anders' songs have been recorded by many independent country, soul, and Americana artists. Her choral compositions have been performed by choirs in New Mexico and California. She is also a vocal coach who has worked with thousands of singers. Her instructional books, albums, and apps are used by singers worldwide.  She is currently working on a choral suite of seven songs adapted from 13 WOMEN.