At Smith’s we love songs, and the songwriters that sing them. We host plenty of bands and we love them too, but every so often we’d like to strip the accompaniment away and hear the songs as they were written – one voice, one instrument, unadorned and vulnerable like a babe in the woods. For this fifth edition of Six of the Best, we have once again asked four very different song-writers to share six of their best songs with us. In order of appearance, we have...

Ava Martina

AVA  is a singer-songwriter, composer and multidisciplinary artist based in Canberra. Known for her shaggy hairdo and groovy guitar strap, singer-songwriter Ava Martin will take you on a musical journey inspired by the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Angus & Julia Stone

Magic Rob

Rob is singer, songwriter and cape-wearing rhythm guitarist for Canberra’s favourite psychedelic rock band, Magic Rob Universe. He’s produced a bunch of albums, two rockumentaries about himself and at least one sci-fantasy novel/screenplay. He inhabits worlds he creates inhabited by dragons, fairies,  

Liz Caddy

Liz is raised and based in Canberra, and dreams of becoming known by her sassy, angsty, optimistic alter ego 'Aurora Janey'. Her music is a mix between folk, indie and pop, and outlines her experiences with dating, complicated family relations and growing up.

Ali Bryant

Ali is a self-confessed Dylan tragic, his specialist subject on Mastermind would be the history of Dub, Reggae and Ska, and he has formed and leads Canberra’s largest and most enthusiastic Ska band, the Reserve Skank of Australia, with 17 members and counting. He’s also an emerging song writer, an archeologist in training and plays basketball (against his boss’ instructions).