The Sweet Maries - Amy Shoemaker and Susie Lofton - are a harmony forward, female fronted Singer Songwriter acoustic band that play original songs and select covers from the 60's and 70's. The genres touched upon include Americana, Gospel, Folk, Jazz and rock.

Very acoustic, very much listening music, very heavenly altogether.

Amy Shoemaker

Amy ‘Marie’ Shoemaker is an artist by every definition: painting beautiful songs with her colorful lyrics, she blends musical genres together as a singer-songwriter, poet, producer, and musician.  With a background in theatre including MFAs in Acting and Directing, it’s no wonder that she inspires others with her classic songs and music, bringing that familiar sense of playfulness and stage presence to the concert hall. She has performed across the US, Ireland, and Canada with several bands: The Rolling Mothers, Ladies View, Fizgig, Earl Fly, The Shoemakers, and Amy and the Rhinos.

Amy is self-taught on the guitar and also plays piano and bazouki.

Amy has played at many of Chicago’s finest establishments including a residency at SPACE in Evanston with Amy and the Rhinos, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall and her musical compositions have been performed at Chicago’s Symphony Center.

Susie Lofton

Susie ‘Marie’ Lofton’s vocal quality and timbre have been remarked to be reminiscent of the classic rock vixen as well as smooth, soulful, rich and beautiful! Her contribution to The Sweet Maries as writer, vocal harmonist and recording artist has been her greatest acclaim to date.

Recording credits include Chicago Recording Company & Matt LeJune with her band SPYDER MONKEY, Doug McBride & Gravity Studios for the song "Tomorrow Comes", and most notably Grammy nominated producer Jeffrey Wood for The Sweet Maries self-titled album, the holiday release “Hark”, "Tall Trees & Riverbeds" and their newest release “Love Hurts”

Susie has enjoyed playing in notable venues including The Double Door, and House of Blues Chicago, and the 12 Bar Club in Soho, London.

GUEST ARTISTS

Steve Martin

Multi-instrumentalist Steve Martin began playing with The Sweet Maries in 2014, joining Amy and Susie with his backing prowess and crowd-pleasing banjo picking.

Steve continues to expand his mastering of 20+ brass, woodwinds, strings, and other various folk instruments.  He is also a composer, performer, and recording artist who has recorded six CD’s.  Steve’s musical efforts have taken him into a number of styles, such as concert band, stage/jazz band, string orchestra, brass ensemble, Dixieland, Celtic, and bluegrass.