Album Notes

Singer/songwriter Maryen Cairns -
Darkly lucid Storyteller, creator & host of Sydney Songwriters and The Mfest (www.mfest.info)

Who is Maryen Cairns? As a very young musician she went to London for a three-week holiday - she stayed for 10 years. During that time she recorded two albums (released by the U.S. label Progressive International): The Pictures Within and For Eternity. Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey produced her first single "Too Young To Die" - on his own time! Kimsey brought Maryen in to sing on Scottish rock legend Fish's album "Internal Exile". Maryen's band opened the show for a huge variety of artists including The Troggs, Sarah Jane Morris, Fish, UFO and Desmond Dekker. Maryen's had long blonde hair; she's had a shaved head. A very wild teenager who became a lyrical raconteur, Maryen is a friend to countless writers and artists through her fierce support of original music being heard in our communities. She has also not given up the pleasures of being a woman for her artistic sensibilities - she has 4 children! Her belief? You have to have a life and experience living to the max.

STORIES FROM BENEATH, the new album from Maryen Cairns, is self-released in 2004 on her own label, Sydney Songwriters. This is her third album, but her first Australian Release. Here you find eleven tracks which take you on an intimate journey through one woman's life... stories of truth and lucidity, snapshots of a life varied and wild. From the Scottish heritage of Voices From Scotland through the teenage horror of Kids From The 'Burbs to the eternal questions in Every Moment Saved to all the answers in What Women Want, this album is a woman's album. Even the simplicity with which the songs are performed cut through the sound barriers to carry forth this woman's message with astonishing clarity upon the mostly two and three piece unions of vocals, trombone, acoustic guitar & piano. STORIES FROM BENEATH is the marvelous antidote to the current trend for sonic maelstroms and syncopated confusion.
Recorded with little regard for the bent of the short form radio formula, STORIES FROM BENEATH boasts strong tales, some running almost eight minutes (Voices From Scotland) returning listeners to the halcyon days of real music and real songs! Yes, there are a couple under 4 minutes though! (This Love and Twist)

This totally independent artist is also a believer in the Internet being a wonderful tool for musicians and artists. Her view: "most people like to have a listen to the music before they buy an album" is supported with an invitation to visit www.myspace.com/maryencairns and download a couple of full length album tracks for free!

STORIES FROM BENEATH has been a long time in the making. You could say a lifetime. And this album - which Maryen also produced - is one she finally says she's proud of. Check it out now!