Brother
By Liam Gerner
Order at <http://www.freshtrackproductions.com.au>

REVIEW BY JO ELLIS

ADELAIDE — Liam Gerner wrote his first song at the age of 12. Since then, 19-year-old Gerner has developed into an accomplished singer/songwriter. He has just released a debut EP, Brother, which incorporates jazz, blues and country.

The strongest song on the EP, “Small Wooden Boat”, commemorates the deaths of 353 refugees who drowned on their way to Australia. It is a personal, emotive and beautifully crafted song which takes the perspective of a refugee aboard the SIEV-X.

Gerner describes the refugee's hopes for a new life. What is hard for Gerner to come to terms with is that, despite information from Australian intelligence, “no one came to the rescue” when the boat sunk. The song is a moving criticism of the Australian government's indifference.

Liam Gerner performed at this year's Womadelaide festival, which featured a special place to meet and discuss issues faced by refugees. He has been nominated as “best emerging artist” by the South Australian Blues Society and won the Scene But Not Herd songwriting competition for his original composition “Come on Fashion”.

From Green Left Weekly, March 26, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

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