Emma's Revolution
Emma's Revolution
Fearless, truth-telling lyrics and melodies you can’t resist singing.
Known for fearless, truth-telling lyrics and melodies you can’t resist singing, Emma’s Revolution is the award-winning activist duo of Pat Humphries & Sandy O. Performances feature the duo’s signature soaring harmonies and lush acoustic instruments, spanning folk to jazz and funk to rock. For more than 20 years, Emma’s Revolution has written about critical issues happening in the world, lending their voices to the movements those issues inspire and delivering moving, uplifting performances. Their songs have been praised by Pete Seeger, covered by Holly Near, featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and Pacifica’s Democracy Now!, and sung around the world.
Emma’s Revolution carries on in the spirit of their mentor, Pete Seeger. “Activist musicians inherit a legacy of the indivisibility of truth-telling and soul-stirring,” Pat explains, “We sing stories wrapped in the taste of freedom, the triumph of overcoming, the grief of injustice, weaving stories, melodies, and harmonies in a rich alchemy of vintage genres and emerging sounds to create an experience full of humor, heart, and hope.” Sandy continues, “Especially in these times--with threats to our democracy, climate chaos, wars, and the continuing effects of the pandemic--we are buoyed and inspired by the activists and communities we work with. Singing is part of what keeps us grounded and connected to one another.”
With an expected release date of 2026, a feature documentary, Keep On Moving, is being made by award-winning independent filmmaker Tom Weidlinger about Emma’s Revolution and their work on the frontlines of peace and social justice movements. The duo’s 2024 film fundraiser at famed The Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, CA, sold out, with almost 500 people joining online as well. The duo’s latest recordings are: Evolution, a celebration of the duo’s 20th anniversary, with best loved songs including “Swimming to the Other Side,” Pat’s signature song which was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered; and Rooted, a musical reflection on joy and justice which includes “Our House is on Fire,” the duo’s electrifying call-to-action for the climate which was featured by a national nonprofit co-founded by Noel (Paul) Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary. Several songs from Rooted, released as video singles, have collectively garnered more than 500,000 views on social media and charted in the Top 10 and Top 25 Songs on folk radio.
As independent artists and queer and non-conforming women, Emma’s Revolution has a national presence among communities, organizations, and venues that share the duo’s vision of valuing people over profit, choosing compassion over violence, demanding accountability, and building a more just and sustainable world.
“Pat’s songs will be sung well into the 22nd century.” --Pete Seeger on NPR’s All Things Considered
“Fervent and heartfelt.” --The New York Times
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.
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This project is made possible with funds from the Tier Three Project Support program, a regrant program of the County of Onondaga with the support of the County Executive and administered by CNY Arts. |
~ This project is also made possible through the support and generosity of our Folkus members. ~