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Born: In 1959 in Los Angeles.
Sounds like: Fluttery, jangly pop that sounds great coming out of a transistor radio.
For fans of: Big Star, Fleetwood Mac, Paul Williams, Jon Brion, Aimee Mann.
Latest release: Someday, Hoffs' third solo album, showcases her ageless voice and heartfelt lyrical explorations of love, heartbreak and growing old gracefully.
Why you care: Susanna Hoffs has achieved an enviable amount of success in her musical career. As one-quarter of the all-girl power-pop group the Bangles, she co-wrote the 1989 No. 1 single and slow-dance favorite "Eternal Flame" and sang several of the band's other best-known songs, including "Manic Monday" and "Walk Like an Egyptian." So, when the Bangles split in 1990, she could have easily retired or indulged in whatever vanity project might've tumbled into her mind. Thankfully, Hoffs chose a wiser path, recording a pair of great solo albums, including a 1996 self-titled effort that found her working with the late Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, David Lowery of Cracker and former 4 Non Blondes leader Linda Perry. She has also released a pair of loving tribute albums to her favorite songs of the '60s and '70s, recorded with fellow L.A. singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet. Sure, the Bangles have reunited and recorded a pair of albums, but Hoffs has gone above and beyond with her latest solo venture, Someday. Recorded by Mitchell Froom, the songs expand on her already proven love of warm AOR pop by wrapping her still-honeyed vocals with Burt Bacharach-style strings and folksy arrangements worthy of Joni Mitchell and the rest of the Laurel Canyon crowd.
SEE IT: Susanna Hoffs plays Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave., with Michele Van Kleef, on Saturday, Nov. 17. 9 pm. $22 advance, $25 day of show. 21 .
WWeek 2015