Photo of Emma Tonkin

Emma Tonkin

General Info

  • Genre: Acoustic / Folk / Lyrical

    Location Melbourne, Victoria, AU

    Profile Views: 13709

    Last Login: 8/19/2012

    Member Since 3/21/2007

    Website www.emmatonkin.com

    Record Label Unsigned

  • Bio

    .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. “…..Hearing her sing gives you the feeling you've just stumbled across something very secret, precious and rare”. Clare Bowditch .. Emma Tonkin is a singer/songwriter from Melbourne who has been performing her music since the early nineties. She is a captivating songwriter who creates a truly original and charming brand of songs. Far from the land of giant statements Emma Tonkin delights in the opposite of anthems, hers is the world of emotional detail in life. .. Funding from Arts Victoria’s ‘Music For The Future’ Scheme in 2004 was a turning point in Emma’s career and enabled the making of her debut album ‘The Anchor And The Albatross’ released in 2007. This is an album that takes you on an intimate ride through an enchanting and fragile world.. .. At the core of Emma’s music is her intuitive and idiosyncratic vocal style, expressive and delicate. Emma’s lyrically evocative songs are driven by her remarkable voice, combining to create a moving and compelling musical experience. .. Emma’s beginnings in the Melbourne music scene began in 1991 as the lead singer in Indie-pop band Xerox Kitten followed by the formation of popular folk duo act Tryst (1994) with Cal Heath. Other collaborations have followed including more recently a jazz recording with the Baartz Freeman Sextet 12 Salutations (2005) and regular work as a backing vocalist for various singer/songwriters around Melbourne, most notably Clare Bowditch. Emma has also done voice over work and has been a regular guest vocalist on the soundtrack for Channel Ten’s ‘Places We Go’ series. .. Highlight shows have included Chill Island Music Festival 2007, The Quiet Music Festival 2007 and The Darebin Feast Music Festvial (2006/2007/2008). Emma’s music has appeared on Triple J, Triple R, 3PBS, 3CR, 3MBS , ABC Radio National and Classic FM. .. Since January 2008 Emma has found herself involved in a very fulfilling and exciting collaboration with Melbourne’s First Chorus: Band Of Singers, a 25 voice choir directed by Virginia Bott. Two seasons worth of arranging Emma’s songs with 4 part harmonies and self producing a series of shows has led to the current recording project that Emma and the choir began in September 2008. This collaborative album is planned to be released in May 2010. .. “turning a feeling, a thought, an experience into words and melody is a necessity for me, a counter to the roller coaster of life. It’s like going away into a quiet world and writing a letter to myself”. Emma Tonkin 2008 .. .. .. Some things people have said....... .. "Emma Tonkin is Australia's Eva Cassidy. Except that she's very much alive, and she never does Sting covers. In fact, she writes all her own songs. And what exquisite songs they are. Hearing her sing them gives you the feeling you've just stumbled across something very secret, precious and rare. Mothers, daughter, fathers and brothers will love her in equal measure. She will soon be one of those songwriters who inspires "I discovered her first" arguments." Clare Bowditch Singer/Songwriter 2006 .. …..The stimulation of every part of me that could respond to music was immediate and overwhelming. The voice , the songs, the intention, the honesty, came from its own world; accessible and equatable to a popular sound but so original it seemed devoid of any obvious influence. Carl Pannuzzo, Singer/Songwriter 2004 .. Hearing Emma sing is a moving, almost hypnotic experience and I am always aware of a sense of dazed silence that falls over an audience as she begins….she has a voice which seems to lull you and draw you into the songs, as if they were lullibies; elegies o the deep voice of our own yearnings, fears, sadness‘ and joys. Martine Murray, Writer/Novelist 2006 .. Emma has a voice like a sail, full of air, it acts to draw the music forward across a sea of the most beautiful poetry. But while her songs soar and sweep and her singing holds you in the palm of her hand its that factor deep within her voice that grips hold of you, and just won't let go. Leo Dale, Musician/Sound Engineer 2006 .. BIO .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
  • Members

    Emma Tonkin Vocals/Guitar Lliam Freeman Guitar Louise Goh Keyboard/vocals.... Alistair Watts Bass Tony Floyd Drums.. Michelle John Cello ongoing collaboration with fIRST cHORUS: Band Of Singers directed by Virginia Bott
  • Influences

    Many forms and genres of music from classical to hiphop. Cello suites, The Police, Nick drake, Bjork, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Ricki-lee Jones, Ani Di Franco, Laura Veirs to name a few, all my friends who inspire me regularly, everyday life, conversations, observations, paintings, books, films, theatre, my daughters, all the kids around me, my Lliam, my dog Romy , my family, the sea, the sky, people on the tram, riding my bike, dead birds, Dr Suess, dancing, yoga, Alexander Technique.
  • Sounds Like

    An old friend

Stream

  1. Emma Tonkin
    posted an event

  2. Emma Tonkin

    featured a new track:

Videos

00:00 | 0 plays | Jan 1 0001

You have no videos.

Comments

Post a comment...
  • Mama Kin

    your music is so beautiful emma. thanks for lending your angelic tones to my song.
    with love

    3 years ago
  • Naomi Jones and the Bar…

    Howdy - welcome to my world!

    3 years ago
  • Nicola Lester

    Hello lovely! Thanks for listening.....yes, sorry about the chalkhorse line up. It is full, but lets play some shows together when you are ready. How lovely. Hope you and your loves are warm and well. xx

    3 years ago
  • Adolfo Morales Servin

    Thanks for the add!

    3 years ago
  • Louise Goh

    Hey Ems,

    Hope you and the family are well

    Was just listening to the tracks that are up on fIRST cHORUS' page- fabulous, sublime, wonderful!!!

    A friend of mine wants to buy your album - are there any CD stores I can direct her to or shall I come directly to you?

    xx Lou

    4 years ago
  • Cilla Jane

    Hi Emma, just thought I'd invite you to 'Folk Fiesta' at The East Brunswick Club on Saturday 31st Jan. There are a few great acts playing and it should be lots of fun:)

    4 years ago
  • Zara Smith

    Hey Emma,
    Happy new year!
    Enjoy it with your beautiful new baby and wonderful family and friends.

    Xxx,
    Stargirl :)

    4 years ago
  • Zara Smith

    Hello Emma!!!
    I really love your work, and I was wondering if you would be interested in preforming at a local high school (Northcote High). For an english assignment we have been asked to organize some sort of artistic experience and we have to write a review, and do other assignment on it.
    It would be an honor if you could make it. For further details but reply.
    Thank you so much!
    xD xxx
    --Zara

    4 years ago
  • incubator recording stu…

    Incubator Recording myspace discount for "Rocktober"!
    Book now for flat rate at Incubator during the month of "Roctober"(October) only. The offer: $300 for a 9 hour recording day. Monday thru Sunday not transferable
    to other months.This is a saving of up to $140 per day. This is a myspace Incubator friends only offer. New studio photos just updated, come see inside the Incubator and look at the creative working spaces, the stomp boxes, microphones and instuments. Visible at the website www.incubatorstudio.com.au Call Adrian, the Engineer at Incubator, to book your recording project in the month of "Rocktober". To get the discount Phone 9480-1211 mention the myspace "Incubator Roctober offer".

    4 years ago
  • Cate de Carteret

    Hey there beautiful lady. Oh, I mean, hot stuff! I hear yer havin another! Congratulations! I hope you and the brood are feelin fine! xx Cate.

    4 years ago
10 of 33More

Login

Forgot password?

Need an account? Sign up