This week, Smiths Alternative and MusicACT presents Rebecca Mann and Small Town Alien, introduced by out host, Nigel. Again, Rebecca is a singer-songwriter with strummy steel-strung guitar and nice voice and personal stories. First up, Operate, from her recent live EP. "I told them, that I'll not operate that way / I told them / I may change another day". Then Faith, from the EP and also released before as a single. It's one of her faves. "I play cards with the Devil as he reached over my head /// You're so full of sorrow / we've both been suffering / Don't you tell me, darling / that you are losing faith / I'll tell you that / I believe in something / but it's not written down / anyway." Personal stuff. Then Small Town Alien, from his upcoming album. First up, the King of Canberra; totally fictional! About a public servant concerned about the "listening agency". "I work in Woden / at the Dept of Expression / I'm not Ed Snowden / nor ... / 'cos the agency is listening / always listening ... Call me the King of Canberra / call me the King / it don't mean a thing". Then into a little rap; funny. "I don't know if this song is anthemic / but I need it to distract from the pandemic". Cool line and a interesting structure! Then Heartbreak forever for the hopeless romantics, perhaps entitled Love kills. "Too ... / Let's walk into heartbreak together / forever and ever / too rich, too poor / too...". This guy is strummy and purposely nasal (I can talk?) but interesting in music and themes. The name alone suggests a performance and a character and we get it. I'm enjoying this. Short snippets from a series of performers that I've mostly heard of but not heard. Not always my scene, but always good to be aware of what's around.
Rebecca Mann (guitar, vocals) and Small Town Alien (guitar, vocals) performed for the Delta series.
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