DONNA AND THE ASPINAUTS

Described as "Talking Heads meets Rocky Horror", Donna and The Aspinauts formed in 2008 and had soon played extensively throughout Melbourne. Imagine vocals of reminiscent of Jewel, Nancy Griffith and Corrine Bailey Rae. Imagine lyrics and poetry evocative of Lily Allen, Lou Reed, Jim Morrison, T.S Elliot, Lewis Carroll and Dr Seuss. Imagine delivery shifting gears between Laurie Anderson, Liza Minnelli, Edith Piaf and Eartha Kitt. Now wrap that in atmospherics which conjure up flavours of of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band in a socio-enviro blend of powerful pop, rock, blues and ska intertwined with powerful off the wall Avant Garde poetry.

GIGS TO DATE

To date our 2009 bookings have included Ruby's Lounge, Noise Bar, The Butterfly Club, The Rock n Rebuild Bushfire Relief Concert, 303 Bar, The Glasshouse, The Dog Theatre @ Dancing Dog Cafe, The Chestnut Festival, Spenser's Live, Gertrude's Brown Couch, the Glitch Bar, Federation Square and La Mama's "The Carlton Courthouse".

BOOKING THE BAND

We're proud to be diversity-friendly, improvisational, adaptable, and interactive. With over 45 originals and 100s of spoken word pieces we can shape our show in both theme and music style to fit the venue, function or audience. We've been welcomed by alternative scenes, embraced as theatrical, avant garde, inter-arts and have amused boutique audiences with socio-enviro and diversity-friendly satire, surrealism and outright comedy. Our madness has attracted child audiences and we've brought culture to mainstream adult audiences. OUR PR Directly connected to http://www.donnawilliams.net and it's sister blog site, http://blog.donnawilliams.net sites which currently get around 10,000 new visitors each month, Donna And The Aspinauts can guarantee listing and publication of the events we're booked for.

REVIEWS:

Here's some independent reviews by those who have been to our shows:

As we lounged around in front of the stage at the Rock n Rebuild Concert, Donna and the Aspinauts sauntered into their first number and had the audience looking up from their snags to see what the hell had hit them front and center between the eyes and ears. A-ha! These were no ordinary folk songs to be kum-by-ya'd around the campfire, no way! As the guys in the Aspinauts band changed gear quicker than a red Ferrari, front-woman Donna kept apace brilliantly with her phonetically charged lyrics and mesmerizing hands shaping the melody like an artist at the easel. I watched, captivated like the crowd around me. Each song blurred deliciously into the next with Donna's spoken word etching out the poetry of human condition, always so very eloquent and astutely connected to the song the band was about to launch into, such a poignant moment when Donna painted the scene of a blackened landscape, burnt by the very fires this benefit concert set to quell. The set itself was just the right amount of time for Donna and the Aspinauts own musical genre to be smacked firmly into the hearts and minds of the audience. As a muso myself, I intuitively looked around to see the reaction of people who might not have had the chance to experience such a richly flavoured ensemble before, and as a muso, I can confidently say that The Aspinauts had the crowd in the rather elusive 'palm of the hand'. I've seen this band a few times now and I thoroughly recommend an audience with a Donna and the Aspinauts event if you are ever given the chance. I say event because they are so much more than just a band playing music, each of your five senses will be buzzing before the end of the first song, and by the end of the show, you'll be definitely Aspi-fied." - Heidi Everett

What an eye-opening night I had at The Butterfly Club, watching Donna and the Aspinauts! Amongst the rhythmic beats and uplifting tunes were embedded lyrics that move the soul. Through poetry and raw emotion I could not take my eyes or ears off this band. Explanations and perspectives that I have never thought to explore, bombarded me and lifted me to a higher place. One minute I wanted to dance in the aisles, next I was dumbfounded by Donna’s ability to express. The Aspinauts stage presence is one no other band can contend with. I was taken on a wacky rollercoaster ride that spat me out at the end feeling empowered and inspired. This band explores world issues, personal conquests and how difficult it is circumnavigating the social world. A must see band for all! - Adele Kristens

Donna and the Aspinauts at the 303 Bar. What a funny bunch. The lady is a true entertainer. She told amusing tales of life on the edge of society and made me envious I didn’t join her there. Real life? Social norms and expectations? Pah! Look what fun I’m having! She expressed herself more with flailing arms and facial expressions than her voice, and began each song with a poem quickly captured by interesting and mischievous music. Tongue-in-cheek? Perhaps not. It cannot be genre-defined. I sincerely hope the lady is available for children’s parties. - Jo Robinson