Album Notes

Singer/Songwriter, Susan Wheatley takes her place in the Canadian Roots rock scene with her debut album, “Beyond the Dover”. Susan’s songs reveal her experiences like someone discovering their favourite pair of jeans – frayed in the right places but soft, warm and supportive. She is no songbird; rather Wheatley has a voice of a phoenix that has risen from a stormy past, a voice that resonates like a pedal steel; her range is tender; yet, strong and throaty, always honest.

Her sound is uniquely her own due to her varied collaborations that range from Blackie and The Rodeo King’s, Tom Wilson to American folk legend, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Susan opened for Ramblin’ Jack at Kalispel, Montana's KM Theatre after meeting him through her journey on the “Roots on the Rails” music festival train. This magical train ride was also provided the inspiration for the crowd favorite, "It Was A Train Thing".

Susan purges her past in “Beyond the Dover”, by first tracing her path which is rooted by the Dover Hotel. This gritty blue-collared tavern that sits on the other side of the tracks in North Edmonton, Alberta, was the beacon for this album. It was her father’s drinking hole; his refuge and his downfall. When Wheatley returned to Edmonton years later to bury her alcoholic father, she released the remaining demons that had haunted her by writing “Beyond the Dover”. Her return confirmed that she had ceased to blame or feel hurt and that she felt only uplifted; thus, beyond her pain, and “Beyond the Dover”.

The listener needn’t shy from “Beyond the Dover”, as although Wheatley’s lyrics may touch some nerves as they get to the heart of the matter, they will find it cathartic as Susan discovers her strength through her vulnerability.