The finest folk music explores the personal and the political and songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emmy Ryan excels at exploring and detailing the complex terrain of both of those aspects of the genre. From the red dirt of Mparntwe Alice Springs to the surf beaches of Lennox Head on Bundjalung Country to the city streets of Naarm/Melbourne, Emmy’s music carries the weight of solitude and the warmth of solidarity. With her soul-stirring vocals, intricate guitar and mandolin playing, and lyrics that land straight in the heart, Emmy’s songs feel like desert winds—gentle one moment, powerful the next.

Her debut EP I Ain’t So Blue has drawn comparisons to Paul Kelly & Sarah Blasko, but her sound is uniquely her own. Emmy has performed at Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Desert Song Festival, St Albans Folk Festival, the Australian Celtic Festival, and the Top Half Folk Festival, and has shared the stage with artists including Jordie Lane, Maggie Rigby (the Maes), Broken Creek, Anousha Victoire, Madi Colville-Walker, Lucy Wise, Steel City Sue, Katie Harder, Frank Yamma, Gleny Rae, Alice Cotton, Jhana Allan, and Michael Waugh.

The Hard Times (also known as Australian Folk Music Awards 2024 ‘Duo of the Year’ finalists Broken Creek) join Emmy to create a sublime blend of traditional and contemporary song.