Casey Donovan set to hit the stage in the South West

Mesmerising audiences with her powerful vocals for more than 20 years, an iconic Australian artist is getting ready to hit the stage in the South West.

In March, Casey Donovan will be performing in Harvey and Margaret River as part of her biggest tour yet, This Is Me.

Speaking to the Times, Donovan said condensing her catalogue into a two-hour show had proven difficult, but she was excited and grateful for the tour which had been a ‘long time coming’.

Making history as the youngest person to win Australian Idol in 2004, Donovan has become a household Australian name as a singer, songwriter, actress, host, author, advocate and role model.

Immersing herself in musical theatre for the past six years, Donovan said she had decided it was time for a change.

“I love musical theatre and I love the community, I love everything its about,” she said.

“But doing eight shows a week, or up to eight shows a week, is quite tiresome on your body.

“It’s like being an elite athlete.

“I just thought, you know what, I’d love to just get out there and do my own show and tour around Australia and see what I can do.”

With a side of funny stories, Donovan said audiences could expect great music including songs from her Idol and musical experiences, as well as those she has always wanted to sing live.

The ARIA-award nominated musician said she loved the freedom which came with performing.

“I love that no two shows will ever be the same for me and with me,” Donovan said.

“I love that what I bring to the table is just raw.

“It’s me. It’s vulnerable.”

Donovan also said she loved the way music was instrumental in bringing people together.

“It’s a tough time in the world at the minute,” she said.

“It’s a bit of a timeout from the world that we’re living in at the moment and I think that’s a really lovely way that we connect as humans and connect through music and storytelling, and I love that.”

With some of her 50 plus shows already sold out, Donovan said the response to her tour was beyond her wildest expectations.

“It’s such a beautiful thing that people are out there and supporting live music, and I absolutely love that,” she said.

“I’m excited to challenge myself, and bring a very beautiful show of the last 22 years of my career and put it into two hours and tell stories and sing songs.”

Donovan’s appearance at e Harvey’s Gibbs Pool Amphitheatre on March 6 has sold out, while her other South West show will be at The River Hotel in Margaret River on March 14.

It won’t mark the first time the singer has travelled to the region, having previously visited with her fiance Renee Sharples.

“It was so beautiful,” she said.

“I can’t believe people get on a plane and go overseas before they’ve gone to their own backyard.

“The bushland and the beaches are just so picturesque and stunning, and the people are just absolutely beautiful.”

With multiple venues in the South West set to take part in a consortium aimed at strengthening and engaging audiences at First Nations shows, Donovan said the program was beautiful.

A proud Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti First Nations artist, Donovon said she believed showcasing the talent and stories people hold on to as well as those from their elders and community was important.

“It’s about spreading awareness, and making and creating communities around First Nations artists I think is really important and giving them a nurturing path to walk upon, to share stories and music,” she said.

“I feel in Australia, there’s a lot of tall poppy syndrome, even at my level of where I am in my job.

“People are very quick to put other people down.

“But I’ve worked very hard to be able to encourage people and care for people and nurture them in a way that makes this industry safe.”

More information about Donovan’s tour and tickets can be found at caseydonovan.com.