MARGOT SMITH

Margot Smith (1966-2011) was a singer songwriter who had a strong connection with The Church. Her first album, 'Sleeping With The Lion' was partly produced by Steve Kilbey and her second, 'Taste', features work from Peter Koppes, Tim Powles and Steve Kilbey. Margot had a voice that never went where you expected it to go: dodging, swooping, feinting; loud when you thought it would be soft; soft when everything pointed to loud. She had the look of a gypsy in mourning: pale skin often offset by blood-red lipstick, long dark wild hair, piercing eyes.

Fame proved cruelly elusive and yet, even when singing to small, sometimes inattentive audiences, she performed as if she were in a packed arena: gesturing dramatically and giving all to each syllable—playing to the bleachers, daring you to pay attention. Margot Smith was a classic rock star, dramatic and engaging, but at other times fragile, gentle and brittle. There was nothing artificial to her persona. What you saw was what you got. Margot’s third and last album, the long awaited 'Inhumainaine' was mastered just weeks before her passing. She died in 2011.

Recommended Listening