Concert Preview: Susanna Hoffs at City Winery, NY (Nov. 5) and Chicago (Nov. 6)

Susanna Hoffs (photo: Jonathan Kingsbury)

Susanna Hoffs

November 5, 2012

City Winery, NY, NY

November 6, 2012

City Winery, Chicago, IL

citywinery.com

Back in the late ‘80s, when the Bangles had hit after hit, Susanna Hoffs was one of MTV’s poster girls: although all four members shared singing duties —Hoffs, sisters Vicki and Debi Peterson and Michael Steele—Hoffs’ sultry looks turned her into their defacto lead singer, especially on videos like “Manic Monday,” “Walk Like an Egyptian” (despite three lead singers), “In Your Room” and “Eternal Flame.”

After the Bangles first disbanded, Hoffs released two solo albums, the poppy When You’re a Boy (1991) and more introspective Susanna Hoffs (1996). Following a Bangles reunion that produced the energetic Doll Revolution (2003), Hoffs teamed up with Matthew Sweet for two cover records, Under the Covers, Volumes 1 & 2, on which, under their monicker Sid’n’Susie, they tackled ‘60s and ‘70s staples “Cinnamon Girl,” “Monday Monday,” “Maggie May” and “You’re So Vain.”

The past year has been a busy one for Hoffs. First, the Bangles reunited yet again for their first album in eight years, the folk-influenced Sweetheart of the Sun, released in September 2011. And this past summer, Hoffs released her first solo album in 16 years, Someday, a pure-pop gem (clocking in at a mere 33 minutes, like early Beatle records) heavily influenced by the mellow acoustic sounds of the ‘60s.

Hoffs played New York’s City Winery in 2009 with Matthew Sweet as Sid’n’Susie; the club’s intimacy should also nicely complement the songs on Someday.