Margot Smith

Margot Josephine Smith was born on 19 September 1966.^[1] She began her music career in Brisbane, where she performed in clubs as the lead singer of the Willie May Trio.^[2] By the early 1990s she had relocated to Melbourne where she recorded demos and was consequently signed to EMI Music Australia.^[2]

Her debut album, Sleeping with the Lion, appeared in October 1993.^[3] Smith provided lead vocals and keyboards, it was co-produced by Steve Kilbey of the Church and Eddie Rayner (ex-Split Enz): both also performed on the album.^[4] Nicole Leedham of The Canberra Times saw her performance in October 1993 and observed, "about 70 people listened enthralled to the half-hour of Margot's 'showcase'. Expect more from this lady."^[3] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 Smith was nominated for Best New Talent for Sleeping with the Lion.^[5]

After residing in the United States Smith relocated to Sydney where Kilbey and fellow members of the Church worked on her second album, Taste (February 1998), via Immersion Music/Phantom Records.^[2][6] In mid-1999 she toured with her backing band, Lodestar, comprising Mark Tobin on guitar, Wayne Tritton on rhythm guitar, Simon Wale on drums and Steve Waters on bass guitar and backing vocals.^[2] Smith provided guest vocals on the Church's Peter Koppes' fifth solo album, Simple Intent, in August 2002 via Immersion Music.^[7]

Smith died on 17 April 2011 in Bondi, aged 44.^[1] A tribute concert organised by Kilbey, Koppes and Tim Powles (all from the Church), was held in her honour in September 2011.^[8][9] According to Kilbey, "one of the most brilliant singer/songwriters I have ever heard... She had a gift for composing on the spot."^[8] The concert included material from her two albums as well as previously unreleased works.^[9] Her third album, Inhumaninane, appeared posthumously in 2012.