Aoife O Donovan

Aoife O’Donovan, born on November 18, 1982, in Boston, Massachusetts, has established a significant career in the music industry. She spent her summers in Ireland, where she developed an early interest in American folk music through artists such as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. O’Donovan pursued formal music education, studying contemporary improvisation at the New England Conservatory of Music, from which she graduated in 2003. This educational background laid the foundation for her diverse musical engagements, preparing her for collaborations across various genres and with numerous acclaimed artists. Her musical journey is characterized by a blend of traditional influences and innovative approaches to songwriting and performance.

Her career officially began with her first professional engagement as the lead singer for the folk group The Wayfaring Strangers. Following this, she became widely recognized as the lead singer for the string band Crooked Still, which she co-founded in 2001. The band gained traction by performing in Boston-area venues and quickly received invitations to high-profile events like the Newport Folk Festival and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. In addition to Crooked Still, O’Donovan was a founding member of the neo-traditional folk noir trio Sometymes Why in 2005. Her collaborative spirit further extended to the folk trio supergroup I’m with Her, formed in 2014 with Sarah Jarosz and Sara Watkins, which earned her a Grammy Award.

As a solo artist, O’Donovan has released four studio albums: ‘Fossils’ (2013), ‘In the Magic Hour’ (2016), ‘Age of Apathy’ (2022), and ‘All My Friends’ (2024). Her solo work has garnered critical recognition, including multiple Grammy nominations. Beyond her own projects, O’Donovan has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Boston Pops Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. Her songwriting prowess has led to her work being featured in films and television series, and her songs have been covered by artists like Alison Krauss, indicating her impact across the wider music landscape.