Forlorn matters of the heart can indeed be turned into art proves Sue Clayton – a new sonic persona created by songwriter, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Morgan Kibby, who has formerly released songs under the moniker White Sea.  Sue’s brilliant album, Rookie, is set for release on May 5th, 2023, and a taste of the record in the form of two incredible songs – “Runaway Bride” and “Extraordinary Life” respectively – are available to hear today as well. 

It all began in Palm Desert, California. Sue took a room at the first dusty roadside motel she drove past, one where neon signs boasting of hot tubs and Color TVs illuminate the sky.  There,  she made her stand, collaborating with the night and her twelve-string while the Santa Ana winds whipped sand into her tequila glass and tear stained eyes.  As she croons, her heart-wrenching tonic of femininity unfurls, poured like liquid confessions into the crevices of Rookie.

With nods to folk, country, and the singer-songwriter tradition, along with a sprinkle of dark, orchestral pop flourish, Sue Clayton is at home in Austin, Laurel Canyon, Nashville, and everywhere in-between.  While her essence and style cannot be limited nor tamed, rest assured that her voice is one that demands to be heard and won’t soon be forgotten.

For all of the richness in the album, listeners might be shocked to find however, that Sue Clayton is not real; but rather a figment, an extension, a creation of Morgan Kibby, whose brilliant mind has lent itself to the role of composer, songwriter, musician, remixer, sought-after collaborator and incredible talent.  Her sonic resume is a guide to the most important artists of the last decade:  she’s written for, produced, or remixed the likes of Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Lorde, M83, Panic! At the Disco, and more.

In 2015, Morgan wrote her first film score for Eva Husson’s Bang Gang, and subsequently was invited to attend the 2016 Sundance Composer Lab at Skywalker Ranch.  She has gone on to score numerous projects for Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, AMC, the BBC, Disney, and the CW, as well as major feature films, which have premiered at international film festivals, including the official competition at Cannes. 

Photo Courtesy: Samantha West