Brockville, ON LGBTQIA+ Roots Rocker Sue Prosser Releases Long Awaited Single “Mistaken Identity”
Brockville, Ontario LGBTQIA+ roots rock powerhouse Sue Prosser has released her new single “Mistaken Identity,” a song that has spent decades taking shape before finally arriving in its finished form. Recorded in June at Powder Room Studios with producer Randal Orr, the track pairs Prosser’s driving guitar work and unmistakable stage honed voice with a story that stretches back to a single night in Montreal.
The song began as a phrase scrawled on a napkin in a Montreal brasserie after a softball game, when a friend became convinced she had spotted an old flame across the room, only to realise on a second look that the stranger was someone else entirely. She shrugged it off as a simple case of mistaken identity, and the phrase stuck instantly. The chorus came together on the spot, and by the following afternoon the song was captured in a single take on a Tascam four track recorder, no digital edits, no shortcuts, just a songwriter, a microphone, and the will to get it right.
What started as a lighthearted bar story grew over the years into something considerably deeper, evolving into a reflection on lost love, self reflection, and the difficult work of letting go. The song has travelled from stage to stage ever since, taking on new shapes through the musicians who played it, its lead line voiced at various points by accordion, harmonica, violin, and electric guitar, and even a Hendrix inspired reading from a guitarist named Vince. Along the way, it drew a memorable reaction from a Sony Music Canada representative, who once remarked that the song reminded him of U2’s biggest hits, one more chapter in a long and winding journey that has finally brought “Mistaken Identity” home.
The lyrics trace that emotional evolution with vivid snapshots of memory and longing, opening with “There’s a stirrin’ deep inside, I don’t know if it’s wrong, but it feels right” before returning to the unforgettable refrain, “There’s nothing wrong with your head, it’s another case of mistaken identity.” What begins as a fleeting moment of mistaken recognition gradually unfolds into a story about old feelings refusing to disappear, the lingering pull of someone who once mattered, and the quiet realization that some memories become easier to carry only after time has done its work. It’s a timeless roots rock story delivered with warmth, heart, and the lived-in honesty that has become Prosser’s trademark.
The finished recording features Prosser on lead vocals and twelve and six string acoustic guitars, with Leigh Turcotte on background vocals, Gary Lalonde on bass, Bradley Scott on electric guitars, and producer Randal Orr rounding out the rhythm section on drums and percussion.
Prosser has built her reputation the old-fashioned way, through relentless live performance across coffeehouses, festivals and the bar circuit surrounding her hometown. Gary Lalonde of Honeymoon Suite has called her live show honest music delivered with passion and love, while Murray Foster of Great Big Sea describes her sound as classic, rootsy rock paired with great vocals and a sly sense of humour. Bruce Wylie of 104.9 JR FM sums her up simply as a one-person phenom on stage.
Raised in the Brockville, Ontario area before spending years in Montreal and eventually returning to her roots, Prosser continues to perform both as a solo artist and as one half of the duo Bad Hattitude alongside Leigh Turcotte, with more new music currently in the works.
Prosser keeps a packed schedule around Brockville and the surrounding region throughout the summer and into fall, including several dates with Bad Hattitude.
Hi, Sue! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
I’m a roots-rock singer-songwriter from Eastern Ontario, and my music is a blend of roots-rock, rock and roll, blues, and country. I’ve always been drawn to songs that tell stories, create connection, and make people feel something, whether that’s excitement, nostalgia, laughter, or reflection.
What makes my live shows special is the energy and interaction. I love engaging with the audience and creating an atmosphere where everyone feels included. One minute we might be rocking out to an upbeat, foot-stomping classic, and the next we’ll slow things down with a heartfelt acoustic song. I adapt to the vibe of the room and focus on making every performance unique.
I have a diverse repertoire and enjoy putting my own spin on eclectic cover songs while staying true to my roots-rock influences. My performances combine creativity, musicianship, humour, and audience participation, and I encourage people to sing along, clap, dance, and simply have a good time.
Having spent years performing at festivals, coffeehouses, bars, and venues throughout Eastern Ontario, I’ve learned that the best shows happen when there’s a genuine connection between artist and audience. My goal is always to bring passion, authenticity, and soul to every performance and leave people feeling energized, entertained, and connected through music.
“Mistaken Identity” began with a phrase scribbled on a napkin decades ago. What made you realize this was a song worth holding onto all these years?
When I performed this song in its early days, people seemed to connect with its mood and emotional depth. There was an immediate attachment to it, both for the audience and for me. At the time, the song was closely tied to my own journey of starting out in music and holding on to those early dreams and experiences.
Looking back, I think the song became a way of preserving that chapter of my life. It captured the hopes, uncertainties, and emotions of that period and allowed me to carry them forward. Every time I perform it, those memories are still there, waiting to be revisited.
What’s interesting is that the song continues to evolve along with me. While it remains connected to those beginnings, it also takes on new meaning with each stage of life. In a way, it allows me to relive the journey all over again, drawing from whatever emotion, memory, or perspective is needed in that moment. That’s the beauty of music—it can preserve a moment in time while continuing to grow alongside the person who created it.
The song started as a funny misunderstanding but became something much deeper. How did your own life experiences reshape its meaning over time?
Oh yes, absolutely. Life experiences have reshaped the meaning of the song over time. What began as a reflection on the loss of love, relationships, and maybe even a loss of self gradually evolved into something much broader.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to see it as a song about loss in all its forms—the loss of childhood, the passing of youth, the transitions between different chapters of life, and those moments when you look back and think, “If only.”
The song truly came full circle for me after losing my mom and dad. They always supported me wholeheartedly and believed in my career from the very beginning. Their loss added a depth and meaning to the song that I never could have anticipated when I first wrote it. Now, when I perform it, I hear not only the story I originally intended to tell, but also a lifetime of memories, love, gratitude, and remembrance.
As an LGBTQIA+ artist, have you seen the music industry become more welcoming over the course of your career, or is there still work to do?
Hmm, that’s an interesting question. I think LGBTQIA+ artists are more visible and celebrated than ever before, and that has had a positive impact on both the music industry and society. That said, there’s always room for growth and continued progress.
For me, though, music transcends labels. It’s not about how someone identifies—it’s about the music itself and the connection it creates. At the end of the day, great music speaks to people on a human level, and that shared connection is what really matters
Your career has been built through live shows rather than overnight success. What has that journey taught you about building a lasting connection with audiences?
For me, lasting connections come from a mix of emotion, vulnerability, audience engagement, and authentic presence. It’s never been about technical perfection. It’s about being real, being honest, and having the courage to put yourself out there. When you create a genuine emotional bond with an audience, you leave them with something that stays with them long after the performance is over.
The most rewarding part for me is when people come up to me years later and tell me they remember seeing me perform and that it had an impact on them. Knowing that something I shared connected with someone so deeply that they still remember it years later is incredibly rewarding. That’s what makes performing so special.
Upcoming Shows:
July 18, Bobcaygeon Legion, Bobcaygeon, ON
July 24, Lockmaster’s Taphouse, Smiths Falls, ON
July 25, Kelsey’s Roadhouse, Barrhaven, ON
July 30, FAT LES on KING, Brockville, ON
July 31, Portside Pub, Portland, ON (Bad Hattitude)
August 7, Brockville Ribfest, Brockville, ON
August 15, Athens Cornfest, Athens, ON (Bad Hattitude)
August 23, Portside Pub, Portland, ON
August 28, Keystorm Pub, Brockville, ON
August 29, Lockmaster’s Taphouse, Smiths Falls, ON
September 5, SpencerCity Bar & Grill, Spencerville, ON
September 11, Char & Chowder, St. Andrews By The Sea, NB
September 12 to 24, Rocking the East Coast, venues and times TBA
October 16, Renegadz Restaurant Bar, Prescott, ON (Bad Hattitude)