What is your name?
My name is Donni Heat! Nice to meet you.
What is your genre of music?
Alternative / Pop Punk / Emo.
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m Donni Heat, a rising emo/pop-punk artist from Adelaide South Australia, blending genres and delivering an explosive stage presence you won’t want to miss. I started out in 2022 with the release of my first single ‘Stay’ and have since released a debut EP ‘Echoes From The Fallout’. Performing with my band, I pour everything into creating a show that leaves people wanting more. My on-stage energy is often compared to artists like Yungblud and Brendon Urie, which is an honour I never take lightly. My sound is a mix between 2000s-2010s emo/punk and modern day dark pop/alt.
In 2025, I was nominated for the SA Music Award in the Punk Category and became a finalist. It meant a lot, because writing captivating, relatable lyrics is at the heart of what I do. My songs are packed with energetic emo anthems, punchy drums, and passion-filled riffs that make you want to move in the pit every second of my shows.
What made you go into music?
I was a big fan of Michael Jackson and his songs/stage presence growing up and that made me want to be a performer. I then found bands like Short Stack, Fall Out Boy, Metallica and I fell in love with alternative/heavy music at a young age. Since then all I’ve ever wanted to do was be on a stage, no matter what size, and performing to a crowd no matter how big or small! The art and the message behind my music is why I do it, and to connect with audiences who also can understand what I’m going through and vice versa.
Who are your influences?
I draw inspiration from a really wide range of artists, and I think that diversity is a big part of what shapes my sound. Lately, I’ve been especially inspired by artists like Bring Me The Horizon, Yungblud, All Time Low, South Arcade, Bilmuri, MGK, and Halsey. They each bring something unique to the table-whether it’s intensity, vulnerability, or innovation; and I try to channel pieces of that into my own work. When I was first starting out, though, my influences looked a little different. Artists like Michael Jackson, Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy, Short Stack, and Ed Sheeran played a huge role in my early development. They taught me a lot about melody, storytelling, and performance. Altogether, that mix of early and current influences has helped me shape a sound that feels authentically mine!
Are you a signed artist?
Nope, independent artist!
You released your latest EP ‘Echoes From The Fallout’, tell us more about the EP and the meaning behind it.
I dropped my debut EP on Nov 7, 2025 called ‘Echoes From The Fallout’ and it is the most personal and explosive body of work I’ve ever created. Every track is a piece of my story-raw, meaningful, and unfiltered/honest. I’ve always gravitated toward artists who make you feel something in your chest, and that’s exactly what I wanted this EP to do! It’s anthemic with songs like Maybe, emotionally charged with songs like Lies, and built to hit hard like Cruel. That intensity is woven into every note of the EP from the explosive hooks to the confessional lyrics that pull straight from some of the darkest corners of my life to date, hence the term ‘echoes from the fallout’. That is my way of transforming personal chaos into something powerfully cathartic. It’s a journey through the stages of grief, but it’s also about rediscovering strength, finding light again, and refusing to stay buried in the rubble. With this release, I feel like I’m finally stepping into my own voice as an artist, a storyteller, and a frontman determined to turn my fallout into something that sounds like fireworks. I’m so excited for what’s to come from this release.
Describe each track in two words.
Lies: Disappointment. Anger. Maybe: Honesty. Rawness.
Cruel: Manipulation. Love-bombing.
Love In The Make Believe: Acceptance.
Particles: Unity. Love.
What was the writing and recording process like? Who did you work with on the EP?
I created this EP from the ground up in my home studio, collaborating closely with an incredibly talented group of musicians who helped bring the project to life. One of the most pivotal partnerships was with UK producer and mix engineer Alex Copp, whose work with artists like As December Falls had already inspired me long before we connected. Working across two continents and going back and forth with ideas, we managed to shape a shared vision that felt both cohesive and creatively bold. What stood out most about the process was how collaborative and energising it became. Alex has a remarkable ability to elevate ideas-he pushed me creatively, encouraged me to stretch beyond my comfort zone, and ultimately helped me unlock a much bigger and more fully realised sound than I ever imagined on my own!
I was equally grateful for the contributions of my guitarists, Kieran and Callum. Their patience, dedication, and genuine enthusiasm carried us through the entire year-long journey of refining these tracks. Together, we experimented, problem-solved, and kept pushing until each part felt good and right to us. Overall, the experience was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me of why I love making music-the collaboration, the growth, and the moment when everything finally clicks into place! For a solo artist, it usually doesn’t just take one person, but a small village!!
Will we see a music video for any of the tracks and if so what can we expect from the creative process.
I recently released a music video for my second single, “Maybe,” created in collaboration with a brilliant local filmmaker, Josh McCawley (Lethal With A Lens). Josh has an incredible eye for storytelling, and he found a truly cinematic way to translate the emotional core of the song-its rawness, vulnerability, and honesty onto the screen.
We spent a full day shooting across two locations. The first was a content studio where the band performed, giving the video that energetic, live-performance feel. The second location focused on B-roll, including intimate moments of the band and me sitting in the car, as well as the now-memorable scene of me singing in the rain.
And here’s a fun behind-the-scenes fact: I was so close to getting hypothermia that night. The water was absolutely freezing, and we filmed it on an insanely cold winter’s night..so it was definitely a challenge! But in the end, the shot turned out beautifully, and looking back, I’m genuinely glad we pushed through. It added a real emotional punch to the video that perfectly fits the spirit of the track.
Do you have any live shows or a tour coming up or in planning, if so what can you tell us about it?
I just played my debut EP launch at a venue here in Adelaide called TIA LIVE. That one was to celebrate my EP obviously, and it went wild! I reckon 60 or so came to support my first show back in 2 years, and it was just such a wonderful time. We worked so hard to create this live show and turn it into a full production start to end, and it worked out for us. I already have a few shows booked in 2026 and don’t intend to stop any time soon. You can expect a show in Jan. Actually, I’ll tell you now: Jan 30. The Austral here in Adelaide. It’s going to pop off
Where can we buy tickets from?
Moshtix I’m pretty sure!
What else can we expect in 2026?
MORE SHOWS. NEW MUSIC. Maybe a 2nd EP? Maybe a tour? We’ll see.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Hopefully touring with the same boys I started this with, I want us to succeed and go play shows all over the world. A lot can happen in five year, and the hard work started a year ago and hopefully we keep growing the momentum from our debut show to play bigger stages soon.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Hmm, good question. One is: Rejection is redirection-every no pushes you closer to a yes.
Another one is:
Your only competition is who you were yesterday. Keep going.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My Doc Martens, my signature leather jacket, my phone, some silver jewellery to round out the fit, and if it’s a festival/outdoors, then my sunnies or sunscreen. I’m so simple haha.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
@donni.heat on pretty much most main socials – IG/FB/TikTok!
