Emma´s Revolution: Pat Humphries and Sandy O.

“Fervent and heartfelt” ~ The New York Times. Known for fearless lyrics and melodies you can’t resist singing, Emma’s Revolution is the dynamic, award-winning activist duo of Pat Humphries & Sandy O, now in their 20th year. The Northern California duo’s songs have travelled the world and have been sung for the Dalai Lama, praised by Pete Seeger and covered by Holly Near.

“Our work is rooted in community, love and justice,” the duo says. “We weave stories, melodies and harmonies that meld the essences of earlier cultures with ever-evolving sounds and ideas into an experience rich with humor, heart and hope.”

Like their friend and mentor, Pete Seeger, Emma’s Revolution keeps one eye on the news, writing songs about critical issues and passionately lending their voices to the movements those issues inspire. “Our House is on Fire” was selected as the opening track for Hope Rises, a compilation CD from a national nonprofit co-founded by Noel (Paul) Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary. “Keep on Moving Forward” opened the UN’s Committee on the Status of Women’s Beijing+25 Conference, reflecting the song’s prominence as the unofficial anthem of the 4th UN World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. Emma’s Revolution are winners of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize and the Phil Ochs Award. As independent artists and queer and non-conforming women, Emma’s Revolution has a national presence among communities, organizations and venues that share their vision and values. During the pandemic, the duo continued their musical activism online with concerts, workshops and video releases, some garnering more than 100k views.

Pat has a hometown connection to the Ten Pound Fiddle, having spent some of her early performing years in the Lansing area and working at area institutions, Goldenrod Records and Elderly Instruments.

In the spirit of Emma Goldman’s famous attribution, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution,” Emma’s Revolution brings an uprising of truth and hope, whether performing on stage or online.