With brilliant words, carried by a phenomenal voice that delivers arguably more music than her guitar, Melanie Susuras is a singer/songwriter that is capable of creating and delivering lyrical masterpieces. Melanie writes with such infallible clarity, it’s difficult to determine whether her words are painstakingly and brilliantly crafted, or uttered effortlessly--- as if storytelling were as simple as blinking or breathing. Her writing demonstrates an understanding of our deepest self that is formed not only by wisdom, but also acceptance. Through her instincts and experience, her writing openly allows for an examination of the odyssey and development we call life.

Melanie, fronting the self-titled Melanie Susuras Band (MSB), first graced the Denver music scene in 1999 with the release of her very intimate debut CD, "Barefoot Again". Her arrival was so well received, she was immediately welcomed to play at all of Denver's musical hot spots, including staples like Herman's Hideaway, Evergreen's famed Little Bear, and The Soiled Dove, where she won the coveted Denver Lilith Fair talent Search and earned the honor of sharing the stage with Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, The Dixie Chicks and the Indigo Girls. Flash-forward to our current time and the ever-unfolding and evolving group has emerged collectively as one of Denver's most established icons. In addition to playing the hottest venues across Colorado, including Coors Amphitheater and the esteemed Red Rocks, the group continuously adds to a distinguished list of artists they've appeared with, including Tab Benoit, Darden Smith, Patrice Pike, Lowen and Navarro, Colin Hay, Styx and Peter Frampton.

MSB's stylistic range of music may be rooted solidly in acoustic folk, rock and funk, but they have an amazing ability to not only flirt with, but attain and possess nearly all forms of music. With the bands 2008 release, "Stop to Stand", MSB audiences will again enjoy the beauty and irony Melanie so capably points out. The band's dedication is shown through their tight arrangements and obvious fellowship. The music plays as much a part as the songs words in delivering an incredible, illustrative show of life's simple complexities. Once more, Melanie shows the strong hold she has in delivering her (sometimes) brutal and always honest perspective. Her insight often seems to tap into that sacred part of us that is, and continuously becomes, our universal mind. "Stop to Stand" shows a transformation of sorts, but it demonstrates less of a departure from her previous CDs and more of an endless unfolding. Throughout this incredible line-up of songs, you will surely find them purposefully (and perfectly) whimsical, as well as inspirational.