Interview by Eric Steiner
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 at www.debseitz.com. 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.


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 www.debseitz.com.

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 at www.debseitz.com, 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 (www.debseitz.com). Eric Steiner is a contributing writer to both Midwest Beat and Cosmik Debris magazines.


(C) 2004 - Eric Steiner