Key Lines: SUSTO "Acid Boys"

Key Lines is a new monthly feature that highlights independent songwriters and discusses songwriting craft. 

SUSTO is a songwriter collective based out of Charleston, SC and fronted by singer/multi-instrumentalist Justin Osborne. The core of the group consists of Osborne, Johnny Delaware, and Corey Campbell. Their song “Acid Boys” delivers a spot-on recreation of small town frustration. Check it our here. 

“Acid Boys” has a very conversational tone. Who do you imagine that the speaker is having a conversation with in this song? How does this conversational style influence your writing?

The song is directed towards myself & ex-girlfriend. The conversation (one sided) about a 2 week span of dramatic events is the song.

"The other artists that I work with regularly help me with lyrical editing & also with creating the soundscape to shape the recorded version of the song."

What was your writing process like for “Acid Boys”?

The song took 4 different versions before it finally made sense, it started as a stream of consciousness piece, & ended that way as well.

How often do you write? Do you keep a songwriting schedule or do you wait to be inspired?

I write in the morning on days when I'm home & my girlfriend is working the AM shift. Usually in my underwear & between 10am-2pm

How does your community of songwriters influence your writing?

The other artists that I work with regularly help me with lyrical editing & also with creating the soundscape to shape the recorded version of the song.