SusAF: Interview and 'Molotov Rose' release
- Char
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
2x grammy® award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist with worldwide sales exceeding 25 million records today dropped the third single under defiant nom de guerre.
From multiple Grammy wins to anonymity, we speak with SusAF about the vision behind it ahead of the release of the latest track.
Listen here: https://vere.lnk.to/MolotovRose
You’ve deliberately chosen to stay anonymous with this project, we have seen a rise in this approach with other artists for a variety of reasons. Is that to protect your legacy, or free yourself from it?
Well first of all, hello, I’m Mark...and thanks for this opportunity. The reason I chose to release these tracks as SusAF, is mostly because the name fits the music perfectly, and I wanted this to be about the message of the songs, not my name, or story.
People will get curious and try to figure out who you are. Does that intrigue you, or does it miss the point of SusAF? Do you plan to eventually reveal your identity?
I actually haven’t been trying to hide it from the beginning. I’m not at all concerned about people finding out, again, I just wanted to lead with the music, not my story.
You’ve described ‘The Great Divider’ as “the aural equivalent of graffiti.” What made now the time to take a stand with SusAF?
I have been interested in a project like this since I saw a Banksy exhibit in Amsterdam, in the Fall of 2019...I guess it just hasn’t come to fruition until now…
The EP takes aim at “corrupt media factions” and “blatant propaganda.” Were there specific moments or events that pushed you over the edge into making this record?
Yes, my Father was always my North Star in the ways of the world, and we have become unable to communicate based on the fact that we believe two different versions of the truth. I felt if I couldn’t even discuss things with him, how am I going to have these conversations with some of my friends, or folks in society who have been swayed by what I know to be clear mistruths. My only outlet was to hold up a mirror through song that says, I am Suspect as F of what’s going on.
You recorded everything yourself in your home studio. Was that about controlling the narrative or just not wanting anyone to dilute the message with other influences?
I know my band mates feel the same way I do, but it’s a lot to ask anyone to mix their political beliefs with their career. This was just something I felt very strongly about, and came from my journaling, so it felt kind of personal. I have also been experimenting a bit with playing all instruments on my last two albums, and Mikey (engineer) and I have a solid formula for putting tracks like this together.
What drew you toward writing with the stripped-back, agit-punk energy for the EP?
It wasn’t a conscious decision. It’s just the way the songs felt when I was writing them. I love the urgent energy of hard core punk, and in this case it felt like the best way to be musically direct.
Do you feel rock music has lost its edge when it comes to political commentary?
I don’t know. I’m sure it’s out there. Jesse Welles, and others are doing it more directly, but I’m hearing socially conscious songs pop up everywhere… check out the Foos, “Asking For a Friend.”
There’s a line between protest and provocation, where do you see ‘The Great Divider’ sitting?
I’m just trying to hold up a mirror to our society. Our country is as fractured as it’s ever been in my lifetime. It’s time for new leadership and new direction…
‘The Great Divider’ feels very emotional, what’s the story behind that track? Did the song evolve whilst writing?
Same answer as the question, “Were there specific moments or events that pushed you over the edge into making this record?”
You’ve called this project “suspect as fuck of what is happening right now.” Do you think people should be more suspicious?
I think everyone should be aware of the blatant corruption of the current administration, and not label it as normal, or "ok" just because there has been corruption in the past. If you can’t acknowledge that the 2020 election was free and fair, and that Jan. 6 was part of a coordinated attempt to overturn it, then you’re either uneducated, or you have been lied to.
Do you worry about how your message will be interpreted, or misinterpreted, in today’s turbulent climate?
I do, but the whole country already believes entirely different versions of the truth, so what is there to lose? These songs are a way of trying to start healthy conversation again.
Is SusAF a one-off explosion, or the start of something bigger?
I’m not sure. I just wrote one the other day about "cooling down the temperature," and how, "we used to be, indivisible with liberty….” You never know, plus they’re always available in case the band decides we want to cut them...
And finally, what message do you want people to walk away with after listening to ‘The Great Divider’ and SusAF as a whole?
Democracy is by far the greatest experiment in society governing itself. Let’s not let a self-serving autocrat take it down. Let’s try and elect leaders that will actually have an attitude of service toward the offices they take oath for. It will never be perfect, but we can’t just disregard it like we’ve been doing for the last 10 years.
