Sue Ray a proud Gamilaraay woman, is celebrated for her own authentic country/blues and roots sound. Her smoky rich voice, dynamic performances, and a sound that criss-crosses genres, allows her to appeal to vast demographics of music fans.
Winner of three Qmusic awards in the categories of Blues’n’Roots, Indigenous and World Folk, Sue is often compared to artists like Chris Stapleton, Kasey Chambers and Laney Wilson.
A crowd favourite at events, Sue delivers the full package. Wielding her harmonica with reckless abandon, her set seamlessly moves from catchy foot stomping tunes through to delicate heartbreaking tear jerkers. Sue loves to get an audience up dancing with her banter and crowd participation often a highlight of her shows.
Sue has been recognised with three QMusic awards, and multiple nominations including Best Country Album at the AIR Independent Music awards, Female Artist of the year at the 2012 QMusic awards and Most Promising New Talent at the Deadly Awards.
Acknowledgements
- 2024 - International Songwriting Comp – semi-finalist - Blues
- 2022 - QMusic Award – Winner - Blues & Roots category
- 2018 - QMusic Awards – Winner - World/Folk category
- 2018 - QMusic Awards – Highly Commended - Country category
- 2013 - Nominee for Female Artist Of The Year in the QMusic & Courier Mails People's Choice Awards
- 2013 - Nominee Most Promising New Talent in the Deadly Awards
- 2012 - Nominee for Best Country Album for "Red Roses" in the AIR Independent Music Awards
- 2012 - QMusic Awards – Winner - Best Indigenous category
- 2012 - Grant McLennan Fellowship finalist
- 2011 - Winner of the Breakthrough Contemporary Emerging Indigenous Artist Recording Initiative
- 2011 - Bigsound Music Conference Brisbane - Showcase
- 2009 - Billy Thorpe Recording Initiative - Finalist
- 2009 - Queensland Music Awards – Finalist
Festivals
Woodford Folk Festival - Groundwater Country Music Festival - Dashville - Gympie Muster - Americana Music Conference Nashville - Far East Festival - Tamworth Country Music Festival - BIGSOUND - Wallaby Creek Festival - AWME - Blue Mountains Music Festival - Saltwater Freshwater Festival - NAIDOC - Caloundra Music Festival
Tours & supports
Troy Cassar-Daley - Carol Lloyd - Kutcha Edwards - Luka Bloom - Matt Corby - Dan Sultan - Mental As Anything - James Blundell - LJ Hill - Busby Marou - Darren Hanlon - Nashville Pussy (USA) - Megan Washington - Halfway - Graveyard Train - Blanche DuBois - The Kill Devil Hills - Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side - Jen Mize - Brad Butcher Blackwater Fever - The Apartments - Keith Potger - Allison Forbes
Press
“It was a thrill to work with Sue Ray. I’ve loved her voice for a long time and, after writing All The Lonely Ones’ with her, I was further knocked out by her gifts as a producer. Sue is a marvel” - Sean Sennett - Sony Music Presents
“In my 40+ years as a Singer/Songwriter and recording artist for Polydor, EMI and RCA, I don't recall ever seeing an artist who was so much the 'total package'. This woman has great technical and production technique, and an enormous depth of songwriting and performance talent, which sees her lyrics, melodies and arrangements connect her with her audience in a profoundly stimulating and emotive way. Her album 'Red Roses' remains in my car playlist and is one of my favorite albums of all time” - Carol Lloyd - Railroad Gin
“She has the sort of rare voice - deep, dark, gorgeously emotive, and molasses-rich that stirs something within the listener and never quite lets go. She gets under your skin and stays there. If you’re a fan of the likes of Brandi Carlile or Laura Cantrell, give Sue Ray a listen; chances are you’ll emerge from the experience an unequivocal convert to her passionately original brand of alt-country” - Red Roses Album of the week, Heidi Maier - Tom Magazine (AUS)
“A hugely impressive debut album from Queensland songwriter Sue Ray, Red Roses, is an alt-country delight of the kind that will sit neatly among those Neko Case and Cowboy Junkies albums on your shelf" - Noel Mengel, Chief Music Writer - The Courier Mail (AUS)
“Sue walked on stage and my jaw hit the ground. Her voice was so strong and confident. Her guitar playing is excellent and her songs heartbreaking. A consummate performer” - Mardi Lumsden - 612 ABC Radio (AUS)
CONTACT
sueray@musician.org