Eliza Wren Payne
Bending Light

Artist of pure talent Eliza Wren Payne, a young damsel who some time ago moved to England from that desolate procession of canyons, fishermen, republicans, and gunslingers known as Utah (U.S.A.). With nothing but a guitar and some money, a foreigner in a land of foreigners: in short, the usual story of those who leave and those who stay.

The first few years she spends playing in the London underground: to entertain the speedy businessmen of the city (capable of reaching 20 miles per hour at the close of accounts), the buskers get authorization from the municipality after a strict selection process for those who show more talent in begging.

A fairy tale not yet with a happy ending, but at least now she's moved to small clubs (for the moment, those scattered across the island) and if you get the chance, her performance is strongly recommended.

A disc and an E.P. so far the musical material to which she accompanies her talents as a painter (her splendid cover work for "Utah," a mini of 6 tracks) and her passion for photography (the shots of "Bending Light," the album we praise on this page).

Between one and the other, there is also time for a project with Simon Mills ("Nottingham Project"), a shady figure already with the renowned band "Bent," which those with the longest memory will remember in that half-flop/electronic masterpiece of "Programmed to Love."

Halfway (or further?) to other sensitive traveling souls like Joanna Newsom, Mirah, Elizabeth Anka Vajagic, and a thousand young maidens with an angelic voice impossible to list, Eliza Wren Payne shares delicate songs precariously balanced between Nick Drake and Woody Guthrie, with an acoustic guitar and something to tell that won't put us to sleep (and the risk is always there).

Musically, there would be nothing else to add. They all sound the same and what changes is the quality: with the vast majority of them at the end of listening, worthy of further attention is just a pretty face (or a couple of buttocks for the more attentive).

This year the best of all the best is Eliza, the song is "Whisper" and the secret is depression sung with a smile, which at least makes us feel a little less alone.