COSMIK
Interview by Eric Stiener

Over the past seven years, Debbie Seitz has played and recorded with the Chicago Blues Posse, SoPro's 21st Annual Thanksgiving Chicago All Star Blues Revue 2003, The Ol' Dogs Blues Band, T-Bird Huck, Ms. D. Meaner and the Felons as well as a who's who of local acts that stoke the blues fires in Illiana. I like to think that small, local Chicago-area blues clubs are truly some of America's best blues incubators in the shadow of the City of Big Shoulders. While many, many cities across America have thriving local blues scenes, I'm partial to the greater Chicagoland area. I grew up near Chicago Heights on Chicago's far south side, and some of my earliest memories of music include the songs of Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, and Koko Taylor - a true constellation of artists who defined Chicago blues for many generations.

Last year, Deb was a finalist in the Best Unsigned Vocalist Contest held at Chicago's House of Blues, judged by Alligator Records President Bruce Iglauer and WCKG-FM's Kevin Matthews. I've heard that Queen Bee herself, Koko Taylor, was in the House, too. In 2001, Deb took home the hardware as the winner of a Janis Joplin sound-alike contest hosted by local bluesman and WCKG-FM personality Buzz Kilman at Dick's Last Resort at Chicago's North Pier Mall. When it comes to Debbie's music, I'm more a fan than a critic of this award-winning Chicago-area singer who's working hard to be true to the blues. This past year, she's released Soul Stirring, a CD that you can pick up at her live shows or online right here. I am a big fan of Soul Stirring, a self-released CD produced by go-to Chicago producer and in-demand drummer Patrick Doody. Patrick's played drums for Lonnie Brooks for 10 years, and has worldwide touring experience. He's also released two drum instructional packages, "Foundations Volume 1" and "Foundations Volume 2," in addition to enlisting another Lonnie Brooks bandmate, Dave Biscuit Miller, on instructional programs for bass guitar, "Feel The Blues." With such solid touring and studio experience, I think that Deb's in pretty good hands when Patrick's producing her work. On that CD, her forceful delivery of Koko Taylor's "Voodoo Woman" and Tom Hambridge's "Rock Me Right" keep me wanting more, and I particularly enjoy Deb's original "Goin' Somewhere," an up-tempo love song that gives her band an opportunity to strut their considerable stuff. I caught up with Lockport, Illinois' Debbie Seitz with the tape rolling on a recent visit to the Windy City. The weekend we met at the Marriott on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, she closed two hot shows at the Quest in Schererville, Indiana and at Brandon Casey's in Bradley, Illinois. Her new band, the Swank Daddies, features Alligator Recording artist Kenny Kinsey on bass and Nick Byrd on guitar - both alumni of the Kinsey Report. Former Buddy Guy drummer Jerry Porter sits in on drums, and Gary Goldsworthy (E.C. Scott, James Armstrong) plays keyboards.

I sat down with Debbie Seitz and we talked about the blues, the way she balances a blues life with a day job, and some of her plans for 2005. Join me as we check in with one of my favorite blueswomen.

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Cosmik: Tell me about this weekend's gigs at the Quest and at Brandon Casey's. What were some of the high points?

Debbie: It's always a lot of fun at the Quest. You get a real feeling of community, folks are welcoming and friendly to newcomers, and they're very supportive of the blues. Greg Schleitwiler, formerly with the local Allman Brothers-influenced band, Eat-A-Peach, sat in on keys for the evening. Nick Danger stopped by and sat in on a few numbers with the band. In my opinion, "Messin' With The Kid" really suits him! We were put to the test Saturday at Brandon Casey's when faced with some nagging technical difficulties. I really have a lot of confidence in each of these guys and it gives me a good feeling to be a part of this great band. They work as a team to support me and really step up to the plate when things don't go quite as planned.

Cosmik: How do you develop your set lists?

Debbie: We work off a basic list and let the evening dictate the changes. We try to give the listeners and dancers what they want.

Cosmik: Two of my favorites on the Soul Stirring CD are "Rock Me Right," and "Sugar Coated Love." How did you choose those songs?

Debbie: I believe I project the songs on my CD and in my live shows as powerful and strong. "Rock Me Right" and "Sugar Coated Love" are somewhat symbolic of my musical style, rock solid and sexy! Ha! (Deb's laughing...)

Cosmik: Covering any song by Koko Taylor like "Voodoo Woman" is not for everyone. Fortunately, with your strong pipes, you were more than up to the task of taking one of the Queen Bee's songs on. Who has inspired you as a blues singer?

Debbie: When I was young I was moved by the soulful style of Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Carole King. Bonnie Raitt has always inspired me, Susan Tedeschi opened me up to new possibilities, but these days it's the "tell it like it is" attitudes of Koko Taylor, Etta James, Esther Philips and Denise LaSalle that really hit me where it counts.

Cosmik: Soul Stirring is in my CD player more often than not lately, as is your work with the Chicago Blues Posse and that Blues for Kids Sake sampler from the United Way of Will and Grundy Counties. What have you been listening to lately?

Debbie: Everything. If you want to be a part of music you have to let music be a part of you.

Cosmik: Balancing your life as a blueswoman with your day job has some inherent challenges. How do you work in practice time with your band? How do you stay sane in this tug-of-war between your time and blues talent?

Debbie: It's not ever easy. I believe that throughout life the more experiences you allow yourself the more you're apt to seize opportunity, and I'm guilty of seizing opportunities! When I was young my dad used to say, "The older you get the less free time you have." I never understood it then but I understand it now. I'm a single parent, I have a home and a full time job, I work hard at managing the band and performing on stage... Yes, my plate is pretty full. At times, I feel like I'm walking on a tightrope, but it's all about balance. It's an ongoing process; I'm still learning to balance on that tightrope.

Cosmik: Where can readers find your CDs?

Debbie: The Soul Stirring CD is new. Right now, you can purchase it at any of my live performances in the greater Chicagoland area or pick it up online at my website.

Cosmik: What's on tap for 2005?

Debbie: This next year, God willing, I look forward to the enjoyment of making music with my band the Swank Daddies, writing and recording more of my original songs, meeting new people in new places and broadening our fan base. I hit stop on the tape player all too soon, and hope to reconnect with Deb as her blues star ascends in the greater Chicagoland area.

As we talked about the blues, I was glad that Debbie Seitz has made the blues her business. Check out her version of "Blues is My Business" from Soul Stirring on her web site and you'll discover a rare talent who's keeping the blue flames burning bright.

Special thanks to Tom Lounges of Midwest Beat (www.midwestbeat.com), and to Debbie Seitz. Eric Steiner is a contributing writer to both Midwest Beat and Cosmik Debris magazines.

(C) 2004 - Eric Steiner

Kankakee Daily Journal

Deb Seitz - Another Promise (self release)

Review by James Walker, Kankakee Daily Journal, Kankakee, Blowtorch Blues Society Blues News

Central Illinois Blues Challenge winner Deb Seitz has made herself a promise, and this time she’s “not giving in.” The Lockport, Illinois songstress’ latest project, the solo album Another Promise, makes the listener a better guarantee: it will double your pleasure and double your fun.

In an interesting and unique approach, Seitz gives fans two versions of seven of the nine original songs, one a band mix with electric guitar and one an acoustic mix. The band mixes come first followed by the acoustic mixes with the songs in a different order. The best parts are a double dip of Seitz’s beautiful and accomplished voice and twice as much guitar from Frank Anastos. Of this electric/acoustic concept, Seitz said, “I believe the idea is good, and the songs compliment themselves with having two versions.”

The title track finds the dynamic Frank Anastos on electric guitar absolutely launching the song (and CD) with an emotionally charged power Rock riff the likes of which would be expected only in a mid song climax. Seitz comes in on vocals using her seasoned and formidable Rock voice and bares her soul, “This highway leads right to his door.” Seitz’s self penned lyrics express that self discipline is hard, but her will is stronger this time – she’s keeping this promise. This cut and the final track are the only ones presented as single versions.

Pounding the first notes heard and anchoring the rhythm is arranger and producer, has-worked-with-everybody Patrick Doody. South Chicago bassman John Falstrom cohabitates the rhythm section. The four person lineup is the simple formula for the success on these songs’ artful production.

The second cut, “Livin’ The Blues” is instantly-likeable. Striking the song’s mood of frustration, Anastos’ opening guitar notes plaintively pierce the air in a slower tempo. Seitz this time utilizes a soft, melancholy Blues voice. She makes you feel her hurt when she sings, “Oh, I’ll be alright, I’ve got nothin’ to lose/I’m happy just sittin’ back, livin’ the blues.” Behind the vocals in the second line (“Pickin’ a few strings on my guitar”) we hear Anastos applying more ambiance by subtlety picking, Nashville-style top string twang. Then he highlights her third line with shimmering chords followed by punctuating the fourth line with a sharp noted lead. Now that is thoughtful production! And, as if that wasn’t enough, check out the mid song guitar bridge.

Uplifting fun and celebration of live music are found in the third track, “Soul of the Music.” Deb is obviously having fun too (“Come let the music set you free!”), because you can hear her gleefully howl and laugh out loud just ahead of the ending guitar solo. A careful listen to the lyrics reveals an indictment of all the “Idol” shows on television with their soul-less songs.

Seitz and band pick up the pace on the fourth cut, “Muddy at the Crossroad.” The mood of joyful hope for a new found love is embellished with Doody’s quickened stick work, Falstrom’s pulse-in-your-throat bass, and Anastos’ uplifting leads. Co-writing, with Frank Anastos, some of the best metaphor, Deb sings, “There you are, and I need you / But the going’s been slow / Inside of me the memories run deep.... / It’s muddy at the crossroads / At the bottom of my heart.” Expresses Deb, “The song has an uplifting feel, but even falling in love can be ‘sticky’ so to speak.”

On “Lady Blue” Seitz puts incredible energy into singing with a Blues voice alternately full of tearful soul followed by pleading desperation. To the woman who stole her lover she sings, “Lady Blue...Why should I lose? / Am I too late; does his heart belong to you?” Seitz confided, “I had to dig deep on this one.” The acoustic version this time best showcases Anastos in a clinic on how to support a singer.

Of the sixth track, “I thought I Knew You,” Deb reports, “It's a very deep song and borders on Christian music I know. I wrote it over 10 years ago, and I sang it in church, once.” 

Again, Anastos perfectly sets the mood of lament with some soft laconic chords while Deb tells of her protagonist during a marital separation., and subsequent divorce. “Oh Lord, I have no place to go / The road behind me is the only road I know,” she sings.

Slide guitar fans take heart. For “Do You Just Want To Dance?” there’s an electric opening on track seven and a killer Dobro intro on cut nine’s acoustic version. Smiles Deb, “This is definitely my ‘bad attitude’ song.”

Seitz and Doody know people like to dance, so a hard driving shuffle paces “Goin’ Somewhere,” the last band mix track.

By the end of the fifteenth track, the listener has become convinced that Deb Seitz is one of the most versatile vocalists on the Chicago blues scene. Her ability to capture feelings and express emotional moods with an attention grabbing vocal quality is simply top shelf! Her song writing is not bad, either.

By the final track, the listener is also convinced that Frank Anastos is a guitar master. To further cement that thought, in the last cut, Anastos goes solo on a haunting acoustic instrumental simply titled, “Frank’s Blues.”

With no horns, no keyboards, and no fuss, Deb Seitz and crew have successfully shown how a simple line up can use intricate arrangements. The result is listeners get twice as much great music compared to some overly honked and hyper wonked mish-mash! That’s a promise!

Debbie and the Swank Daddys

Debbie Seitz and the Swank Daddys played three sets of high-energy Chicago blues to a near-capacity crowd at Frankie's Blue Room in Naperville in Chicago's Western suburbs. Her set ranged from blues belters like Koko Taylor's "Voodoo Woman" and "Come to Mama," a soulful take Ann Peebles' "Clean Up Woman" straight out of Memphis, to a surprisingly funky bluesy interpretation of Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason."

Frankie's Blue Room is a 250-seat classy venue in downtown Naperville. Some of America's top blues acts have played at Frankie's Blue Room, including Lonnie Brooks (as well as his sons Ronnie and Wayne Baker Brooks), Koko Taylor, Too Slim and the Taildraggers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, The Nighthawks, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, and W.C. Clark. The room has 40's-era elegance to it, and a mural featuring Elvis Presley, BB King, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, and other classic movie stars opposite the bar. On Labor Day weekend, Frankie's will celebrate its tenth anniversary. Since 1995, this club has brought Cajun, jump and swing, salsa, alternative rock, and most certainly the blues, to the Western suburbs' live music scene. I've heard that diamonds honor couples who celebrate their 10th anniversary, but Frankie's clear and crisp sound system is pure gold and just right for this room.

Each set included a dozen or so songs that helped Debbie Seitz stretch her considerable voice - many of the songs landed on her first CD as a solo artist, Soul Stirring, produced by Chicago area drummer Patrick Doody. Her voice soared on Bonnie Raitt's "Love Me Like a Man," buoyed by T.J. Jenkins' electric piano solo and Nick Byrd's stinging sharp slide guitar. The Swank Daddys' engine room of Kenny Kinsey on five-string bass and Jerry Porter on drums powered the band through a very diverse evening of music, and Kenny pushed Debbie, Nick, and TJ with just a wink or a nod as his hands climbed the fretboard. Dancefloor fillers like "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Mustang Sally," which morphed into "Chain of Fools" and back to that Wilson Pickett classic, alternated between slow blues songs like "Rock Me Baby" and "You've Got to Help Me" with Kenny on vocals.

Kenny and Jerry may be the elder statesmen in Debbie Seitz' performing band, and they are mentoring younger bluesmen like TJ and Nick (also a Kinsey Report veteran), as well as Debbie herself. Kenny toured the world with his father, Lester "Big Daddy" Kinsey as part of the Kinsey Report, and Jerry Porter kept time behind the drums for Buddy Guy for over 25 years. Jerry's sat in with a who's who in Chicago blues, including Magic Slim, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, Junior Wells, Son Seals, and Wayne Baker Brooks. When not sharing the stage with Debbie Seitz, Nick, Jerry, and Kenny are the nucleus of the Wayne Baker Brooks Band.

Tonight, their collective blues experience shone through some powerful readings of Etta James' "Blues is My Business," Susan Tedeschi's "Little by Little," and Koko Taylor's fanciful and fun "You Can Have My Husband (But Please Don't Mess with My Man)."

Debbie's been compared to Janis Joplin more than once in the Chicago music scene. In 2001, Debbie took home the hardware as the winner of a Janis Joplin sound-alike contest hosted by Chicago-area bluesman and WCKG-FM personality Buzz Kilman at Dick's Last Resort at Chicago's North Pier Mall. In 2003, Debbie was a finalist in the Best Unsigned Vocalist Contest held at Chicago's House of Blues, judged by Alligator Records President Bruce Iglauer and WCKG-FM's Kevin Matthews. I've heard that Queen Bee of the Blues herself, Koko Taylor, was in the House that night, too.

In the second set, Debbie fielded a request from a fan on the dancefloor to sing something from Janis Joplin's songbook. She turned to her band, knowing that many folks in the audience were probably expecting "Mercedes Benz" or "Me and Bobby McGree," two of Joplin's signature songs. Debbie introduced "Turtle Blues," a classic song about a "mean, mean woman" penned by Janis that is one of my favorite cuts off of the Cheap Thrills album from Big Brother and the Holding Company.

While Debbie Seitz and the Swank Daddys hail from the greater Chicagoland area, their sound ranges all over the blues map: from the Mississippi Delta, up to Memphis and on Chicago's South Side. Their live show is a must for fans of traditional Chicago blues - with more than a few nice surprises thrown in, of course.

Sample Debbie Seitz' newest solo CD, Soul Stirring, online at CD Baby, or visit www.debseitz.com for her latest shows, including photos from February's show at Frankie's Blue Room. You can also pick up Soul Stirring at the world's largest jazz and blues record store, Jazz Record Mart in Chicago.

© 2005 - Eric Steiner

A Country Girl Sings the Blues

John Tallie, KGLT- FM, Livingston, MT

In many ways south-central Montana exemplifies Big Sky Country. The landscape looms especially large there. It is where the high plains meet the Crazy Mts. It is where the wind howls, sometimes incessantly. The open space can be a bit frightening, if you’re not used to it, but it can also inspire. Deb Seitz is a blues singer who grew up there, in the heart of Big Sky Country, near Twodot, Mt. She does not live there anymore but the beauty of that area still runs through her soul and her music. How could it not?

Deb is proud of her Montana roots but most of the people she associates with now find it hard to believe that she grew up on a ranch miles from the nearest highway or spent eight years in a two room schoolhouse. Life in rural Montana is a world away from the music scene and the hustle and bustle of Chicago. Now a resident of that urban blues Mecca she is realizing her dream of singing the blues. Whether you come from the Mississippi Delta, or Memphis, or New Orleans, or Twodot, if the blues calls you’ve got to answer back and Deb Seitz has done just that. She adds, “ Blues is a feeling. Isn’t it everywhere?”

This month Deb will release a new CD of original material called Another Promise. She has been singing the blues around Chicago for a number of years and frequently gigs at local clubs and venues in the area. Her road band, The Swank Daddys, features members of Wayne Brooks’ band and The Kinsey Report, true veterans of the national blues scene. If you were lucky you saw the Kinsey Report rock the Owl Lounge back in July. I talked to Deb recently and she feels very fortunate to have such high quality musicians backing her. She adds, “These guys are the real deal blues cats in this area. They’ve played in Chicago and all over the world. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with them and learn a great deal about the ‘feeling’ brought out in blues music.”

It is that feeling that is apparent on her new CD. The project began as a demo for Deb and her guitar playing partner Frank Anastos. When not with her full band Deb and Frank work together as a duet. They cut eight tunes for the demo and producer Pat Doody was so inspired by their songs he proposed a full length CD of all original tunes. Another Promise came about as a result of that. The disc contains both acoustic and electric versions of seven tunes along with the title track and an instrumental called Frank’s Blues. While Deb admits it is not straight ahead Chicago blues it does express her diverse musical tastes. “ My influences may differ from many blues artists but the feeling is the same and I believe this feeling is reflected in the songs on Another Promise. Each song was written from my heart about the experiences that shape lives. They speak of love, loss, failure, and the determination to get back up and try again. Experiences so many of us can relate to.”

While Deb is doing very well in Chicago she admits her heart is still in Montana. She has family here and gets back to visit on occasion but not often enough. She would love to return but Montana is not the best place to make a living as a blues musician. With her new CD release and plenty of live gigs to play, she is confident that she will continue to grow and thrive as a blues singer. She is also humbled that a country girl from Twodot, Mt. could move to Chicago and sing the blues on stages where some of the greatest blues musicians of all time have played.