Album Notes

“Lost Men and Angry Girls” chronicles the past three years Audrey Auld Mezera 
(Mez-air-ah) has spent living on the coast of Northern California. Musically and personally it’s been an eventful period for the Chris Austin Song Contest winner and two-time ARIA nominee (Australian Recording Industry Association). “My first year in America was spent living in Bolinas in Marin County. It's the Wild West! Within a matter of months I got married, moved hemispheres, filed a restraining order on a stalker, dealt with grief, and missed my musician friends back home” says Audrey. No surprise then at the title of this album. Mezera calls it 'Ameri-kinda' music - traditional American music influences with Australian roots.Love, Hate, Life, Death, Money and Music.Mezera’s writing has evolved to be less about the state of her heart and more about the path we all share as human beings in this time of political and global imbalance. But there’s no finger-pointing in these songs of small towns, self-help, lives derailed, musical heroes, lost men and angry girls. Mezera travels her path with humor, insight and a great band.“the songs here consolidate Mezera’s enormous writing talent” ~ Forte Magazine, Aust.Recorded primarily in Australia with her home-land’s best musicians and produced by her trusted collaborator, Bill Chambers, who retains the sparse arrangements that characterize Mezera’s work.“It’s always exciting to work on music with Audrey. These songs reflect her life, where she now lives and the places and people she comes in contact with. I’ve always been proud to be part of Audrey’s recordings, but even more so with this one.” ~ Bill ChambersThe move to America has been good for Mezera. After winning the prestigious Chris Austin Song Contest (“Losing Faith”) 2006, she the was a finalist in the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival songwriting contest (“Last Seen in Gainesville”). It was only a matter of time before she crossed paths with one of the greatest accompanists in the world, Nina Gerber with whom she recorded a double live CD “In The House”.“She writes and sings songs with a worldly truth... She not only sounds like she grew up on Music Row in Nashville, but she writes the kinds of songs that built Music Row in the first place.” ~ G Meline, North Bay Bohemian, CA.“Do believe the hype” M Kramer, Pacific Sun, CA.“Australia’s loss has been America’s gain” S Libowitz, Montecito Journal, CA.BOLINASThe Summer of Love continues in this little town on the wrong side of the crack (San Andreas fault line). There is no road-sign to Bolinas as the locals always tear it down. The Indians used to advise against living there as it led to craziness. Now, it’s neon peace signs, Zen surfers, “Homeless” as a fashion statement, restraining orders are de rigeur, wealth, poverty, pot as currency and organic food.“Speak American” was the order to the new Aussie girl in town...MORPHINEThe original hand-written lyrics to this song reside in a private collection in Austin, Tx. Written in lead pencil on grey paper bearing the letter-head - Oklahoma Rehabilitation & Industrial Estate.Signed by Bonnie Lamb AKA Bonnie Parker (of Bonnie & Clyde), this is the first recording of her song. Bonnie notes that the lyrics are to be sung to the tune of “M-O-T-H-E-R”, from the 1930’s.LAST SEEN IN GAINESVILLE After reading a “Missing Person” poster in a Texas truck-stop, this song haunted Audrey until the song was complete. Sadly, these stories are often left unresolved and untold.BUCK HUNGRY (with Bill Chambers)There’s a buck to be made any which way these days, but the 3rd verse (the true story of a most valuable exchange) involved no money at all!LOOKING FOR LUCKENBACHThe smallest town in Texas with the biggest reputation. Thanks to Ray Wylie Hubbard for the inspiration.HALF A WORLD AWAY (with Nina Gerber)To point out another’s peculiarities is alienating, but to be peculiar is liberating. Births, deaths and marriages are the events that bind us as a community.WE CRYDeath seems to be one of those things that happens to everybody else. The fact that we die is definite. When we die is indefinite.CLINCH MOUNTAIN PRAYER (with Bill Chambers)Written in Hiltons, Virginia - home of the Carter Fold. The ghost of A.P. lives on, Sara rests in peace and Maybelle’s music is in the air.DOWN IN A HOLESometimes you just have to write a song that lets the musicians shine!Australia’s best - Bill Chambers (guitar), Rod McCormack (banjo) and Mick Albeck (fiddle).NOT I (with Raechel Lee)This is not a love song. Anger is hatred, attachment and ignorance. Love thy enemy (in this case, ‘thy crazy stalker’) for they teach the greatest lessons. SELF-HELP HELPED METhe hardest thing to look at is ourselves.DUBLIN BOY (with Karl Broadie)Here’s to the Irish!LULLABY FOR BABY TAYLORA new life and a new Baby Taylor guitar...