Biography
ABOUT THE BAND Described by Steve Iorio of The Vagrants as "Talking Heads meets Rocky Horror" Donna and The Aspinauts formed in 2008 and had soon played extensively throughout Melbourne. Imagine delivery shifting gears between the likes of Laurie Anderson, Liza Minnelli and Edith Piaf. Imagine lyrics and spoken word pieces evocative of writers as vast as Lou Reed, Jim Morrison, T.S Elliot, Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll and Dr Seuss. Now wrap that in theatrical atmospherics which conjure up fla...
ABOUT THE BAND Described by Steve Iorio of The Vagrants as "Talking Heads meets Rocky Horror" Donna and The Aspinauts formed in 2008 and had soon played extensively throughout Melbourne. Imagine delivery shifting gears between the likes of Laurie Anderson, Liza Minnelli and Edith Piaf. Imagine lyrics and spoken word pieces evocative of writers as vast as Lou Reed, Jim Morrison, T.S Elliot, Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll and Dr Seuss. Now wrap that in theatrical atmospherics which conjure up flavours of of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band in a diversity-friendly package of powerful pop rock intertwined with powerful Avant Garde poetry, gestural signing and characterisations. SHOWS TO DATE To date our bookings have included Ruby's Lounge, The Butterfly Club, The Rock n Rebuild Bushfire Relief Concert, The Dog Theatre, The Kalorama Chestnut Festival, Spenser's Live, Federation Square, La Mama's "The Carlton Courthouse", Wodonga Civic Centre, The Guild Theatre, Woodbin Theatre, Doncaster Playhouse, Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts. BOOKING A SHOW We're proud to be diversity-friendly, improvisational, adaptable, and interactive. With over 50 originals and 100s of spoken word pieces we can shape our show in both theme and music style to fit your house concert, your event, your audience or venue. If you'd like to bring the band to your party, BBQ or get together we can do this for groups of 20 upwards. 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 and surrealism. If you're miles away from Melbourne you can still see us perform without flying us there! We can arrange a video performance designed specifically for your event, or may even be able to look into doing a performance in 'real time' for your audience or guests using teleconferencing facilities available here in Melbourne. OUR PR Among the 50 websites we list event in are my Donna's page at and it's sister blog site, which get around 10,000 new visitors each month. We also get out and do the footwork. In other words, Donna And The Aspinauts can guarantee listing and publication of any events we're booked for. To date The Aspinauts and our shows have featured in The Age, The Observer, Leader Newspapers, Joy FM, Plenty Valley FM, 3ZZZ, Syn FM. REVIEWS FROM ASPINAUTS CONCERTS: 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. Each song blurred deliciously into the next with Donna's spoken word etching out the poetry of human condition. I looked around to see the reaction of people and I can confidently say that The Aspinauts had the crowd in the rather elusive 'palm of the hand'. 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 began each song with a poem quickly captured by interesting and mischievous music. Tongue-in-cheek? Perhaps not. It cannot be genre-defined. - Jo Robinson. THEATRE PRODUCTIONS Donna developed Rock Musicals for theatre audiences which are performed by her and the band as ASPINAUTS PLAYERS. The best known of these shows has been FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY. FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY The author of the autobiography, Nobody Nowhere, and screenwriter of the film based on it, Donna has produced and performs in this powerful one-woman rock musical, Footsteps of a Nobody musically supported by The Aspinauts. Through characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word and vibrant songs it traces pivotal experiences in her journey from a seemingly deaf, psychotic, 'feral' child to life on the streets and on to her ultimate fight for equality among others. REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS' WRITING: She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before. NEW YORK TIMES Evocative, poetic, compelling, shocking, gut wrenchingly moving. WEEKEND REVIEW Powerful and unique. DAILY TELEGRAPH Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster. THE GLOBE AND MAIL Powerful enough to make one reassess what it means to be human. MODE By turns fascinating and harrowing... PEOPLE MAGAZINE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE FOOTSTEPS SHOW: The show was outstanding; you are very talented. The Q & A at the end was a great surprise. Thank you for a great night, fantastic performance, amazing music and wonderful conversation provoked afterwards! - Kelly O'Brien. I found your performance last night extremely moving. You have a beautiful voice and your poetry and song lyrics are amazing! Thank you once again for your inspirational show Donna. - Jill Young. The show has been performed in theatres, libraries and secondary schools. All performers have Working With Children cards. WATCH CLIPS FROM THE SHOW at http://www.aspinauts.com RATES Duo (keys, vocals) - $250 to $325 (or for House Concerts/functions $8.50 per person if 30 people, $4.50 per person if 60 people). 3 piece band (drums, keys, vocals) - $350 (or for House Concerts/functions or $10 per person if 30 people, $5 per person if 60 people). 4 piece band (drums, lead, bass, vocals) - $450 (or for House Concerts/functions or $15 per person if 30 people, $7.50 per person if 60 people). 5 piece band (drums, lead, bass, keys, vocals) - $550 (or for House Concerts/functions or $18 per person if 30 people, $10 per person if 60 people). CONTACTING US If you're interested in booking us to do a show, we'd love to hear from you. EMAIL us at: aspinauts@donnawilliams.net KIDS SHOWS As ASPINAUTS FOR KIDS Donna and The Aspinauts perform children's rock musicals in schools, libraries, kindergartens, community centres, school camps or children's parties. It has own website at http://www.myspace.com/baloombawop
show more...