Suzanne Vega bringing something old, something new to Iowa City concert

Simon & Garfunkel, Sonic Youth, Lou Reed and Suzanne Vega are some of the recording artists who exude the New York sound. All are or were residents there at some point, and the city that never sleeps inspired each iconic act.

“An Evening of New York Songs and Stories” is a live album from Vega, recorded in 2019 at the intimate Cafe Carlyle, but the tracks have the feel of the gritty ’80s. Many of those songs, such as the melodic “Marlene on the Wall,” the detailed narrative “Tom’s Diner” and the hook-laden “Luka,” remain part of Vega’s set.

During a recent performance in Ithaca, N.Y., Vega played the hits and some new songs. Vega, who will appear Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City, remains stylish, elegant and witty.

“Playing and touring has always been a huge part of my life,” Vega said. “I make the best of it. I remember what it was like during my early days. I’ll never forget what it was like starting out in New York.”

Neither will her friend and fellow singer/songwriter Lucy Kaplansky. “Suzanne and I were both students at Barnard,” Kaplansky said. “She played around campus. I would see her poster around and be contemptuous. I would think, ‘The nerdy folk singer.’ Then I walked into the student newspaper and I said, ‘I’m doing a real gig, a show at Folk City. Write an article on me,’ and they did, and Suzanne thought, ‘Who the hell does she think she is?’ ”

Vega, 64, laughed at the anecdote. She appreciates coming of musical age with Kaplansky and fellow singer/songwriters John Gorka and Shawn Colvin. Just three years after showcasing at college, Vega broke after the release of her 1985 self-titled album. More than 500,000 copies were sold, which was impressive for a then-unknown female artist.

Finding fame

“Solitude Standing” from 1987 went platinum, and Vega returned to New York for a triumphant show at Radio City Music Hall. She beamed throughout the 17-song set.

“That entire period was a thrill,” she said while calling from New York. “I sold 5 million albums by the time I was 30 years old. I had a great relationship with my record label (A&M). It was an amazing time. I’ll never forget it. It really was crazy. There was a lot of indulgence. People would be ordering one bottle of $300 wine after another at dinner. The budgets for videos were stratospheric. But that all ended.”

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Vega’s underrated album, “99.9 F,” released in 1992, went gold but Vega never had the success of “Solitude Standing,” which is fine with her.

“I knew I wasn’t cut out to be a Top 40 artist,” she said. “I just wanted to write the songs that I like writing. I really never needed more than that. I’m content not having all of the success.”

Vega was fortunate enough to have hits, which attracted an audience that has been loyal throughout her career. The subjects and language change with each album, since Vega has morphed as a wordsmith.

“I think it’s something that just happens,” she said. “I remember how my writing changed when I had my daughter (in 1994). I started writing in a more simplistic manner. I’ve gone on from there. Some things have changed for me.”

But some things haven’t.

Vega still has the winning charm she possessed when she played to a sold-out show at storied Radio Music Hall a generation ago.

“I still love writing songs and performing them for an audience,” she said. “The traveling isn’t easy, but I do what I have to do and I still enjoy this.”