Rocker Susan Aquila Talks “No Where”

With her bow raised like a sword, Susan Aquila unleashes her impressive musical voice—commanding and electrifying as a roar. Having shared stages (and stadiums) with legends like Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, and many more throughout her distinguished career, she’s now stepping into her own spotlight. Though classically trained, Susan is an indomitable force of rock armed with an electric violin, more determined than ever to “break a lot more rules” and redefine her artistry. Her music embodies the true spirit of rock ‘ n ‘ roll—consistently spirited, passionate, and unapologetically rebellious. Some might call her a trailblazer—daring to push her craft’s limits and expand the electric violin’s possibilities. But there’s something undeniably special about it all, because she’s having the time of her life doing it. With new singles and music videos on the horizon, Susan is proving to be an exuberant musical force to be reckoned with—powerful, fearless, and impossible to ignore.

Rock-n’-roll enthusiasts will recognize this delectable angst from a mile away—the taste of sweet freedom just beyond reach, if only one could summon the courage to take the leap and never look back. Told from the perspective of a narrator feeling trapped in a suffocating relationship,” Nowhere” cranks up the restlessness and edge to a full blast. A keen ear may catch glimpses of classical expertise, yet the song is hard rock bliss. From the moment it takes off, Susan is unapologetic—she’s headed for “fame or bust,” ready to hit the road at a moment’s notice. Listeners might find themselves torn on where to focus—on one hand, Susan’s mesmerizing string work soars above the instrumentation, effortlessly weaving through the driving guitars and assertive pulse, cresting in solos that teeter on intoxication. It’s not often that a violin steals the show in the realm of rock, and Susan proves just how much of a shame that is. On the other hand, her grumbling vocals demand attention, pouring fury, joy, and most importantly, urgency into every twist and turn. For those craving the adrenaline rush equivalent to a front-row roller coaster ride or cliffside zipline, this heart-pounding journey truly delivers.

In the “No Where” music video, Susan strides through the sunlit streets of LA—with her stunning electric violin in hand. Those unfamiliar with the power of such an instrument are about to be educated—and completely swept away by this hypnotic pairing. If the visual feels a little disorienting—some might even say manic—it’s all by design. Directed and edited by photographer Emily Hefele, this “out-of-the-box” visual is all about the sonic vibrations, perfectly complementing the high-energy nature of the track, guaranteed to electrify even the most stoic audiences. It also offers a glimpse into Susan’s signature style, sprinkled with touches of drama—there’s no shortage of leather bustiers, thigh-high boots, and wind-swept trains here. Though Susan is an esteemed performer—there’s no acting in this visual—her radiating confidence, masterful bowing, and punky attitude are all part of the Susan Aquila experience. With every note and every step, she makes one thing clear—there’s a wild streak in her—and she’s thrilled to set it loose at last.

What motivated you to pursue music? What draws you to the electric violin?

I knew I wanted to be a musician the first time I saw someone performing? I felt it very at a very young age and was driven to pursue music from within. I was drawn to the electric violin after years of playing classical acoustic violin. Once I heard the electric violin with all the effects and its ability to create many different types  of sounds, I knew that this would be the tool to help me express myself better. It’s an expansion of what a classical violin can do.

Tell us about the unique process of crafting a rock song that showcases the violin. What does the writing and production process look like for you and how did you ensure that the violin didn’t get lost amongst the other sonic elements?

What a great question! It was actually a difficult process. The violin with effects can sound just like an electric guitar so we had to find just the right effects to give the violin power and edge but also keep it sounding like a violin. There was a lot of trial and error. We also had to place the violin in a register so that it would stand out and could easily be heard.

Who are your biggest influences and how do they shape your work?

My musical heroes are Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. They were not afraid to express all of their feelings in their music. They were bold with how they depicted raw emotions. It’s okay to have a raw, edgy sound if that is what you are feeling. I try to express my true emotions in their rawest forms and I let the music reflect that. I’m not afraid to push the envelope on sound to best express what I want to feel.

What makes “No Where” stand out from other songs you have made in the past?

“No Where” takes things to the extreme. It has a fast paced, high energy groove that is relentless. This song stands out and started me on the journey of  my experimentation with a bolder energy and a harder hitting groove with edgier vocals.

How did you and your  director work together to capture the ‘manic’ atmosphere of the track in the “No Where” music video?