Tag Archives: Suzanne Perry

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Little Drummer Boy on Streaming Platforms

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Originally recorded in 1999 for Excelsis vol. 2 ~ a winter’s song compilation, “The Little Drummer Boy” by Love Spirals Downwards is a playful yet atmospheric throwback to the band’s Flux era—when Ryan Lum was exploring breakbeats, airy pads, 808 basslines, and flowing syncopated rhythms.

This drum & bass–infused reimagining of the holiday classic features Suzanne Perry’s luminous vocals wrapped in surprisingly contemporary production, along with melodic jazz Rhodes by guest musician Gabriel D. Vine, who also contributed to “Beatitude” from the 2001 Ecstatic EP.

After Projekt declined the track, Lum made the MP3 available through lovespirals.com for the 1999 holidays, later bringing it to platforms like MP3.com, MySpace, SoundCloud, and YouTube before finally releasing it on Bandcamp in 2011.

Now, “The Little Drummer Boy” is receiving its first official release on major streaming platforms—including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music—so you can finally add this long-hidden holiday gem to your festive playlists.

Audio, News

Falling You ‘Shine’ feat. Love Spirals’ Vocalists

Once again, Love Spirals Downwards’ former vocalist, Suzanne Perry, and current vocalist, Anji Bee, have collaborated with John Zorko of Falling You. ‘Shine’ is the first of his albums to be released by Projekt, who are offering a limited edition CD as well as a digital release.

On the Projekt website, Suzanne Perry discussed “Until the Stars Align,” her contribution to Shine:

“Creatively, the ingenues that live in John and I connect. Getting a song from him is always surprising as he manages to weave an unexpected intergalactic sounding sound. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with these sounds to be honest, but I’ve grown fond of them and have come to know them as Zorkoesque. What did I think of when creating this song? As it has always been for me, it’s not been about thinking or connecting the sounds to the world as it is in these fleeting moments. But I recall thinking about the night sky. The lyrics for ‘Until the Stars Align’ were written mostly by Cris Miller.”

Projekt.com

Cris Miller, as you may recall, collaborated with Suzanne first in 2004 on a cover of “Sally’s Song” for the Projekt Holiday Single 2 maxi-CD under the name Melodyguild. Also known as Silver Screen, Miller contributed vocals as well as lyrics to the Falling You cut, making him perhaps the first male vocalist featured by John Zorko.

News

Club Violaine Reopening Party Reunion

Club Violane, “LA’s only shoegazer & dream pop party,” recently returned after a 2 year hiatus to celebrate a visit from one of its beloved founders, DJ Wednesday. Everyone came out to celebrate — including Suzanne — as well as Drew Pluta (formerly of Arcanta) and Rodney Rodriguez (formerly of The Von Trapps and Melodyguild), both of whom performed with Suzanne and I at our last show together. We also met up with Tom of Mira, whom I don’t think I’ve seen since Anji and I toured with them in 2002.

Anji & Suzy with Eric
Rodney, Drew & Ryan
Rodney, Drew & Ryan
Tom, Drew, Anji & Ryan
Tom, Drew, Anji & Ryan
Anji, Tom, Drew, and Suzanne

There’s a cool video about Club Violaine reopening on YouTube:

Audio, News

“Little Drummer Boy” Single Now Available

It’s been a dozen years since Love Spirals Downwards founder, Ryan Lum, created this ambient drum & bass rendition of the classic Christmas song, “The Little Drummer Boy,” but at long last, it is finally available for sale! Originally conceived and recorded in 1999 for the Projekt Records holiday music series, Excelsis, this recording has never been properly released. This was the last song that Suzanne Perry contributed vocals to, and it’s sound is very reminiscent of the band’s final album, ‘Flux.’ Like the 1999 Lovespirals song, “Beatitude,” it features jazzy Rhodes piano by guest musician, Gabriel D. Vine, of Monkey Bars.

Over the past decade, 2 versions of this cover song have been floating around the Internet under different titles; there’s the polished aforementioned vocal version, as well as an earlier demo mix which features vinyl vocal samples from a classic old-school Christmas record. This demo mix is stripped down, with more emphasis on Ryan’s funky live bassline, and less use of synth pads. Both versions are quite catchy and a fun addition to anyone’s holiday music library. Pick up the 2 track single for just $2 in the high quality digital audio format of your choice from the newly launched Lovespirals Bandcamp Store. 


Audio, News

New Falling You Album Featuring Suzanne and Anji Out Now

The 2-time NAR Lifestyle Music Award winning musical project, Falling You, just released a new album entitled, Adore, on Magnatune. Enigmatic band founder and producer, John Michael Zorko, has long worked with a revolving cast of talented and varied female vocalists including former Lovespirals Downwards vocalist, Suzanne Perry, Victoria Lloyd (of Claire Voyant and Mono Chrome), Dru Allen (of Mirabilis and This Ascension), Erica Mulkey (AKA Unwoman), and Shikhee (of Android Lust) — just to name a few.

In her first appearance with Falling You, Anji Bee contributes lyrics and vocals to the ambient opening track, “Blessed,” penned about her relationship with bandmate, Ryan Lum, who engineered and recorded her vocal tracks.

Suzanne contributed lyrics and vocals to the album’s second track, “Champagne.” With its summery dream pop feel, this collaboration brings to mind her work with Melodyguild. Suzanne had previously been featured on Falling You’s 2006 album, Human, and 2008 album, Faith.

Long time friend of the band, Ken Lee (of Eleven Shadows), mixed and mastered the songs of Adore alongside John at his Blueberry Buddha Recording Studios.

Continue reading New Falling You Album Featuring Suzanne and Anji Out Now →
Audio, News

Suzanne’s Infamous Chupacabra Story

Do you remember when the X-Files had that episode with the Chupacabra? Well, it made a big impact on Love Spirals Downwards back in the day. Suzanne commented on its spooky power in this infamous story told live on-stage at the Projekt Festival on 8/1/1997, held at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, IL. Classic Suz stage banter!

Read Ryan’s original post about ProjektFest 1997 mentioning the rowdy crowd issue. There’s some great performance photographs, as well.

News

Suzanne Perry on new Falling You album Faith

Love Spirals Downwards’ former vocalist, Suzanne Perry, has contributed to two songs on the new Falling You album, Faith. You might be able to guess from the titles alone which tracks she penned, but as the featured artists are not listed, hers are “The End Before the Winds” and “And the Rain Comes in Waves.”

Check it out now on Magnatune.

Featuring incredible performances by Suzanne Perry (Love Spirals Downwards), Amanda Kramer (The Golden Palominos), Shikhee (Android Lust) and other Falling You favorites, ‘faith’ continues in the dark ambient / heavenly voices / ethereal style of ‘human’ and ‘touch’, while adding subtle industrial elements. Exploring what we humans do when life’s experiences shake the foundations of whatever beliefs we hold, ‘faith’ asks the question, ‘What do we do when everything crumbles around us?’

Magnatune

Now Faith by Falling You is also on Bandcamp.

News

Melodyguild EP Released by Projekt

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The long awaited debut album by Melodyguild — the band of former Love Spirals Downwards’ vocalist, Suzanne Perry — has finally been released. The ‘Aitu’ EP — originally announced in early 2003 — will officially drop June 10th, but it’s available online now via Projekt. This 4-song digipac CD is currently #6 on the Projekt Top 10 – congrats!

Continue reading Melodyguild EP Released by Projekt →
News

Suzanne Perry on New Falling You CD Human

Love Spirals Downwards’ former singer, Suzanne Perry, appears on one track from the latest Falling You album, Human. “An Angel Ameliorate” is an ambient piece featuring Suzy’s glossolalia vocal stylings. To the best of my knowledge, this is her first released work since Melodyguild’s cover of “Sally’s Song” on the Projekt Holiday Single 2. You can check out the track for free from Magnatune here.