Benjamin is the new single from travelling songsmith Anna Smyrk on which she continues to be inspired by those far-flung places she’s been fortunate to vist. Anna grew up on a lavender farm in Victoria, Australia, and the last few years have seen her living and working in places like the Solomon Islands, Cambodia and the Philippines. It is the Solomon Islands that inspired this song and where the accompanying video below was filmed.
It evokes images of turquoise oceans, dreamy tropical heat and finding yourself in a place where you have to throw your assumptions out the window, especially when it comes to things like time as this light-hearted verse reveals:
“Benjamin tells me the boat for the mainland,
Comes at five, or at six, or seven, or sometimes at eight,
He says, ‘Wait,
And you’ll see when it comes.”
Benjamin is also the first single from her sophomore EP.
The song was recorded in a Central Victorian farmhouse in the middle of a dry, brown summer when Anna was visiting home for a couple of weeks. It features a band of old friends on mandolin, banjo, double bass and dobro, and Anna’s sister on backing vocals.
“It was definitely a family affair,” says Anna. “I just had a couple of weeks back home, so I pulled together friends that I’ve played with for years. It made the recording process really comfortable.”
Anna draws inspiration from some of the great folk storytellers of the 60’s and 70’s. Her lilting vocals have an uplifting warmth that is sure to go down a treat live. Although she has toured Europe and the UK we may need to wait a little longer before seeing her again. Those on Australia’s East Coast won’t need to be so patient as she’s part-way through a tour there now.
Australia Tour Dates
May 1st – Scullion Sessions, Newcastle
May 5th – The Folk Studio, Armidale
May 7th – Cambus Wallace, Gold Coast
May 8th – Can You Keep a Secret? Brisbane
May 9th – City Sounds, Brisbane
May 10th – Dusty Attic, Lismore
June 14th – Merri Creek Tavern, Melbourne