Their ninth album, 16 Reasons And More, features the talented Swedish-born singer performing with the doo wop four-piece.   The 30 tracks cover styles of late 50s and early 60s vocal group material.   It comes a year and a half after The Roomates released an album with Finnish singer Jeena Rancken.

The Roomates - who are mostly from London - took their name from an original 50s US band and have been together since 1986 when they gave their first performances busking in a subway.

Susanna came to the UK from Sweden in 1998 and lives in North London.   Her father is Spanish.   The album includes a song in Swedish and one in Spanish, which the band hope will widen their appeal.   The 35-year-old singer has been telling us more about her passion for doo wop and the unusual story of how she hooked up with the band...

• When did you first get interested in doo wop?

My interest in doo wop started when my mother introduced me to it back when I was about 10 years old.   She was an entertainment journalist in the early 1960s and I used to love listening to her telling me stories about the era; the films and celebrities, the clothes and the music...   She had saved a few 45s, neatly tucked away in her trunk filled with juicy memorabilia of that time, which I managed to dig out and started playing one day.   I guess you could say I was hooked ever since!

• How long have you been singing?

I joined all sorts of choirs whilst at school and I would always be the first one to audition or volounteer for plays and shows.   I've always loved singing and seeing that little bit of instant happiness it brings people sure puts a huge smile on my face.   This particular style though has always been a passion of mine.   People ask me if I sing the way I do because of the music I love so much, but I'm not really sure if this is the case, or if it's because my voice suits this music...   Either way, I just do what I love and hopefully people will like what we've done with these somewhat obscure songs and appreciate the sounds of Susanna & The Roomates!

• What were your first impressions of the Roomates?

I have listened to The Roomates for years and always been in awe of their vocal arrangements and the fact that they have such an authentic sound, even though their songs been recorded at least 30 years after this music style was around!   The mellow harmonies and beautiful melodies they produce are second to none and a lot of people know it.   They have a dedicated fan base, which have followed them through years of performing and recording.

I found out about them in the early 2000s as I was looking for a doo wop wedding band based in the UK.   I didn't get married, but The Roomates stuck with me and I started to look some more online to see what I could find out about them.   I came across a few videos on YouTube of the subway recordings, which then spurred me on to comment on a few of their clips.   I guess my comments stood out and hopefully they realised that I wasn't just a crazed fan, but actually knew something about doo wop and shared the same passion for their particular song choices.

• So you had to wait four months for a reply because the band's Steve Webb was having computer problems...   What was your reaction when he finally got in touch?

Well, I was quite (pleasantly) shocked actually!   I mean, I was a fan and here they were contacting little ol' me!   Steve and I started emailing and very quickly realised that we had a very similar taste in this music and we started talking about their albums and what they wanted to do next.

He then went on to tell me that they had recorded with Jeena a few years earlier and that they now were looking for someone to record their next album with.   Apparently some auditions had taken place the previous year, but no one with the right sound had been found.   I think it was just a coincidence that he asked me if I sang and then we talked about the style he was after and could I do that?   A few songs were suggested, of which I sang snippets into my Mac and sent off to Steve and then the wait began...   It didn't take long before Steve replied that he was pleased with what he had heard and that he thought all our voices would blend really well.   It was only after then that we actually spoke on the phone!   The rest is, as they say, history...

• How did the recording session go?

Recording sessions are always good fun.   We have quite a laugh in between takes and stop every now and then to sing other tunes or just part of a melody we have just thought of; perhaps for a new song.   It's always very laid back, although it's taken very seriously.   After all - this is what you hear on the CD!   Outtakes always make for a laugh, and I do keep some of them for my own amusement!

• What sort of direction would you like to take next with your singing career?

I would love to gig with the guys and perform these songs and others at venues organised for true hard core fans.   I have no preference as to the size of venue, as this differs from club to club, but I would absolutely love to do festivals and outdoor gigs; maybe in the summer, who knows?

There's nothing better than seeing these people dancing the night away to our tunes and genuinely having the time of their lives, remembering what it was like when they were teenagers and this music was in the charts.   It's such a lovely thing when being approached to be told that someone celebrated their 'Sweet 16' to a particular song we've just performed or even proposed to their wife to!

And I love the effort people make dressing up!   It really is such an event and they do take it rather seriously [as do I!]; loads of vintage pieces; such as fabulous petticoats and winkle pickers, cool and sometimes crazy hairstyles.   It's of course all good fun, but this is an opportunity for them to appreciate this music live and to meet like-minded people.   It makes me smile just thinking about it and, hopefully, the gigs to come.   Could I please thank all the existing fans?

Susanna and the Roomates live

• More recordings?   Own band?

I've always wanted to share my love for doo wop and other music styles of the era and who would have thought I would record with The Roomates - even a little over a year ago...   I would love to record another album with more songs chosen by fans.   We actually have a few already done, and are about to record some more next month.   Let's see what the audience say first, as this really rules anything from here.

It would be great to release some of our own material, as we have written a few already.   Of course, I would be extremely happy if there was interest to do more.   Not only because I enjoy singing, but because it would, hopefully, mean that this music is spread and be available to more people, worldwide.

Let's keep doo woppin'!   Own band?   Why would I want that when I have the boys?   I am happy to lend my voice to other projects, if they are suited, but it's got to be something very special in that case!   One of my dreams have always been to be featured on a background track or as a singer in film or TV series (think American Dreams).   Now, THAT would complete my doo wop dream for sure!

• Why was doo wop such a male dominated genre.   Have female artists been overlooked?

Doo wop was originally just that; guys singing on street corners, but eventually branched out to some girl groups and some groups with female leads, or shared male/female leads.   Although not as common, there are some real gems out there with original female leads and it's what we are looking for to sing.   Saying that, we have also covered a lot of male sung songs, as these can easily be altered to suit, all depending on range of course.

I reckon most of guys' voices are 'punchier' and boppier than girls', but it's not to say it can't be done.   Who doesn't appreciate a smooth love ballad of the time...?   It's all a matter of taste really, and being able to apply a creative imagination and knowing how to interpret a song in a variety of ways.   I do feel privileged to be contributing to this music style with my voice, being female, but also of course being in year 2012.

16 Reasons And More is available from Rare Rockin' Records.

If it jumps, jives, bops or strolls we want to know about it.   or call 07833 703189.