Biography
Michigan native Kitty Donohoe possesses a striking vocal instrument together with a knack for crafting songs that are at once haunting, melodic, and marked by literary depth, establishing her as an authentic find. She entered the world in Royal Oak, just beyond Detroit, and began piano instruction at age five before taking up guitar in her teenage years—an instrument that swiftly ignited her inherent gift for songwriting. After finishing high school she spent time in Nova Scotia, where traditional maritime music rekindled memories of the Irish tunes from her upbringing; upon returning to Detroit she took up residence in the Cork Town district, long noted for its Celtic population, and immersed herself in that local scene. In the 1970s she relocated to central Michigan, where she married and raised a family yet sustained her songwriting and stage work, ultimately issuing the exquisite Farmer in Florida on her own Roheen Records imprint in 1986. The album, produced by Joel Mabus and anchored by its poignant title track, displayed her talent for pairing uncluttered, memorable melodies with intelligent lyrics and delivering them through a soaring, haunting voice. She next collaborated with artist Pasqua Cekola Warstler on the book-and-tape project Bunyan and Banjoes, which centered on Michigan-themed songs and stories, before releasing her second collection of original material, As Sparks Fly Upward, in 1992. Later that decade she became a member of the high-energy Irish ensemble Pub Domain, whose live performances built an enormous following; the group eventually issued its sole album, Sin Sceal Eilé, on the Dancing Goat label in 2000. Donohoe settled in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2001. In the wake of the September 11 attacks she composed the heartrending “There Are No Words,” a piece that tenderly addresses the emotional devastation of losing loved ones while hinting at an unspoken yearning for a brighter future. The track appeared as a single-song CD in October 2001, the same month that saw the release of her third Roheen album, This Road Tonight. An uncommon songwriter whose range allows her to convey intricate emotions through simple, literate, and memorable melodies while blending instinctive pop instincts with a firm traditional foundation, Donohoe merits broader recognition. She continues to delve into her Irish heritage through performances with Triu, a Celtic trio devoted to traditional repertoire.
Albums
