The San Franciscans: The Space Lady
The Space Lady is San Francisco's most enchanting street musician. Whether on keyboard or accordion, her music stops sidewalk traffic even in this multi-task town. Contrary to this dramatic photo taken on Market Street near Castro, the Space Lady usually performs wearing a whimsical steel helmet with angel wings, which makes her easy to recognize but belies the credibility of her haunting vocal interpretations of well known songs. Mister SF always requests Time After Time or Spanish Harlem. A San Francisco favorite is Over the Rainbow, of course. The Space Lady, whose real name is Susan Dietrich, made only a full length CD of San Francisco sessions for sale. The disc features Susan performing live on Casio with effects. You haven't heard Ghost Riders in the Sky until you've heard the Space Lady sing it. A few of her tracks, including her underground hit version of Major Tom, are also featured on some compilations. Listen to this sample of Radar Love

The Space Lady is the only performer ever who made me wish I were an agent, and not just because her lilting sounds provide a soundtrack for my memories of San Francisco. Her transcendent quality is obvious. I've played her CD and actually had neighbors come to my door begging to know, "Who's making that incredible music?" After she was featured here in 2001, Susan Dietrich wrote to say she was inspired by this show of support to focus again on her music. Three years later, the Space Lady released an EP on the online music archive, Comfort Stand. The new recordings on "Street-level Superstar" find the Space Lady as haunting, humorous, and ethereal as ever. On behalf of her fans from Liverpool to Birmingham, Mister SF says, "Welcome back!" - HD

Space Lady online


Copyright 2001-2004 Hank Donat
mistersf.com home