| Suzie Kerstgens | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Date: | 1971 |
| Birth Place: | Geldern, Germany |
| Origin: | Cologne, Germany |
| Genre: | Pop |
| Occupation: | Singer, songwriter |
| Years Active: | Mid-nineties to present |
| Label: | Logic (BMG), modernsoul (Ministry of Sound), Island (Universal) |
| Associated Acts: | Ralley, Klee |
Suzie Kerstgens (born 1971) is a German singer and lyricist. She is the lead vocalist and co-founder of German pop band Klee.
Suzie Kerstgens was born in Germany, 1971,[1] in the north-western town of Geldern[2] and grew up in neighbouring Sonsbeck.[3] During her youth, she received her secondary education at the gymnasium in Xanten and also completed classical ballet and dance training.[4] She then studied philosophy and German studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen.
See also: Klee (band). In the mid-nineties, Kerstgens began working with musicians Sten Servaes and Tom Deininger in Cologne. With Kerstgens as lead vocalist, they formed the band Ralley, which was later renamed Klee.[5] Klee is known for its songs about love, life and sorrow and the band members have been described as the great romantics of German pop by music magazine laut.de.[6] Most of the lyrics for Klee's songs are written by Kerstgens[7] and are based on her personal experiences.[8] As a member of Ralley/Klee, Kerstgens has recorded seven albums,[9] three of which have entered the top 20 of the German albums chart.[10]
Kerstgens has made two appearances at the Bundesvision Song Contest, an annual competition shown on German television. The first was in 2005, when she performed the song "Gold" with Klee.[11] The second was in 2007, when she sang a duet with German pop band Anajo on the band's song "Wenn du nur wüsstest".[12]
Under the name "Kölsche Kylie", Kerstgens is active as a DJ at various venues in Cologne, including Gebäude 9.[13]
Kerstgens has collaborated with English rock band The Wedding Present, contributing vocals on the 7" vinyl release of the band's single "I'm from Further North Than You" (2005).[14] Another collaboration was with German rock band BAP on a re-recording of the band's song "Frau, ich freu mich" (2005).[15]
Kerstgens lends her support to various organizations in Germany, including Pro Asyl, Aktion Mensch, Fairtrade (Fair trade), Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe (German AIDS aid) and the National Paralympic Committee Germany. She is also a sponsor of the project "Schule ohne Rassismus – Schule mit Courage" (School without racism – school with courage) at her former gymnasium in Xanten.[16]
Kerstgens lived in a flat share in the Sülz area of Cologne for 16 years. She then moved with her boyfriend to the Agnesviertel, another area of Cologne.
Kerstgens has been a fan of English rock bands The Cure and The Smiths since her childhood.
Studio albums (Ralley)
Studio albums (Klee)