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: CowboyArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Randy Newman)

Title: PowerlessArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: These Killing TimesLabel: Errant Child Recordings

Title: Blooms of OblivionArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: Engine of HellLabel: Sargent House

Title: Kite, Known As HopeArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: Music From The Bella VistaLabel: Unnamed Press

Title: Catherine WheelArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: These Killing TimesLabel: Errant Child Recordings

Title: MarieArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Good Old Boys)

Title: Dixie FlyerArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Land of Dreams)

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country

Technical production by Simon Branthwaite