 Credit: Alan Messer Canadian roots triple threat Sue Foley (guitarist-songwriter-singer) will release her new album, The Ice Queen, on March 2. Recorded in San Marcos, TX and produced by Mike Flanigin, The Ice Queen features a trio of legendary Texas guitar slingers — Jimmie Vaughan, Z.Z.Top’s Billy F Gibbons and Charlie Sexton — as well as a host of other all-stars, including Chris “Whipper” Layton, George Rains (drums), Derek O’Brien (guitar), Chris Maresh. among others. The all original project focuses on love, anguish, struggle, forgiveness and rebirth via eleven tracks including the funky, swamp-meets Bo Diddley beat of “Come to Me,” the rollicking “The Lucky Ones," and the soulful “81." In advance of the album's release, Foley graciously took the time to answer her Essential 8 and relay the interesting story behind the album's title, discuss her musical mentor, the freedom of the road, and much more. Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? One of my musical mentors is blues guitarist, Ronnie Earl. Ronnie is simply one of the most soulful, intense, deep, real, imaginative, technically virtuoso, and creative guitarists alive. Ronnie taught me to play dynamically and to try to stretch as far as I can, between being intense, aggressive and energetic to being soft, soulful and sweet. When I was young, Ronnie was my hero, and all the young blues guitarists revered him. He gave me his stamp of approval way back when I was 20 years old. He was the first real established US based blues musician to notice me and help me believe in myself. That validation keeps me going to this day. What’s the story behind your album’s title? The Ice Queen is about the idea of an “ice queen,” - that is a woman who has cut herself off emotionally because she’s been through heartache. It’s a compassionate look at someone who people assume is cold and hard but inside is really warm. They just don’t know how to show their vulnerability. The title is also a play on the fact that I’m from Canada, the land of ice. Then there’s one more thing…I’m a Fender telecaster player and one of my favorite musicians and guitarists I emulated was Albert Collins, The Master of the Telecaster, also known as The Ice Man because of his icy guitar tone. So, I’m a Tele player too and I’m the Ice Queen. Why did you chose to anchor the album with the songs you did? The songs on The Ice Queen show a transition through time of all things related to being lost and disillusioned to finding your way back to center. It’s basically a blues album, but there’s a lot of flavors within, including rock, some acoustic folky stuff, some vintage jazz and even a trip toward Latin and flamenco sounds. It’s just a cumulation of all my musical interests and influences mixed together with personal experience. When/where do you do your best writing? I think I write best when I’m confused. Writing helps me sort through my thoughts. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? I write from personal experience. I don’t make things up. I only know what I know.  What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
I always tell younger musicians to fall in love with the work. Because it’s all work. You can never be great enough. You can never reach your goals. You always have to keep striving and staying hungry and motivated. So, if you love the work, you’ll be fulfilled. The challenge will keep you interested and moving forward. Do you have any touring tips? Sleep as much as possible. What do you love most about being on the road? When you’re on the road, nothing can touch you. Everything falls away. It’s so freeing to not be home, doing errands, looking at a computer screen, buying groceries etc..… All you have to do it play. Your music gets so much richer (provided you don’t overdo it and burn out). I just love when my hands are so strong and I can play everything I want to play. Playing every night also loosens up your mind to where you can access more creative areas. You end up trying new things and the band gets tight and intuitive with each other. Things can get really interesting on that level. It’s just about music, music, music… Website
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