Emma Ruth Rundle finds her people in These Killing Times

Emma Ruth Rundle describes herself as a guitarist - an instrument she's taken from metal bands to ambient minimalism. But it's her voice that's been front and centre on recent albums, alongside her writing, which has recently extended to a book of poetry. Her latest album, These Killing Times, is a return to full-band mode after the stripped-back and confessional Engine of Hell, and it's a culmination of everything she's done thus far.

Randy Newman’s songs are surprising, poignant, sardonic and frequently very funny, whether they are poking fun at various US administrations, bigots, or self-satisfied characters living above the Mason-Dixon line. He was in Australia in 2011 touring with three of the state orchestras and also found time to sit down at a piano in the Music Show studios.

Music heard in this program:

Title: Cowboy

Artist: Randy Newman

Composer: Randy Newman

Album: Live Performance (originally on Randy Newman)

Title: Powerless

Artist: Emma Ruth Rundle

Composer: Emma Ruth Rundle

Album: These Killing Times

Label: Errant Child Recordings