Born and raised in the small village of East Preston, West Sussex, Singer-Songwriter Donna Harfield always had ambitions that stretched beyond village limits. Now, this powerful and expressive singer with huge stage presence is creating a lot of interest in the industry.    

 

Her debut album 'Swept Away' was released in 2025 and includes ten original songs, inspired by love, loss and the ongoing impact of the global pandemic.  Recorded and produced by James Welch at Masterlink Studios, they show the depth and range of Donna's songwriting style, described as 'music to move and mend'. 

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With new music now on the horizon and set for release in Autumn 2026, there is a lot to look forward to, with a revamped image and sound, focused on passion, expression and empowerment. 

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Style and Influences

Growing up with an eclectic mix of music, Donna’s style is a fusion of old school pop, rock, blues, soul and ballads. Favourite artists are also varied, but powerful, vocal women throughout the decades, including Annie Lennox, Cher and Stevie Nicks, to Nina Simone, Judie Tzuke, Tori Amos and Florence Welch.  

 

She has a mature and pure vocal and is a lyrical songwriter with a piano ballad bias, using real experiences to fuel her songs and lyrics.

 

Motivation

Donna worked as a jobbing actress and singer for many years, enjoying much success and acclaim on stage, and meeting many of her music idols working as a personal shopper at one of London’s most exclusive department stores.  However, Donna returned home to the coast to reset, recharge and rediscover her passion for song-writing. Through this, she discovered her own sound.

 

Like many others , Donna has seen love and loss; she writes from her own experiences for herself, with a defiant female voice. A resilient and talented artist, who has experienced life’s highs and lows. She stands for independence, confidence, optimism and courage.

 

Describing her style as soulful alt-pop with subtle electronica, Donna is on a mission to use her music to tell universal stories that people can engage with.  Her forthcoming songs explore different experiences, delving deep into personal and universal truths to unlock shared emotions.

 

“Some stars explode onto the scene like a meteor and then quickly fragment and disappear. Donna Harfield is different. She has paid her dues, been to drama school, gigged with cover bands, plays piano and has written songs for years. She looks good, sounds good and is a powerful performer on stage. However, what lifts her above the day-to-day is the quality of her song-writing.”

Roy Stannard, Splash Radio founder and presenter.

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Live performance

Aside from being a talented singer/songwriter, Donna has a powerful stage presence and loves live performance. She studied drama at College and University and went to East 15 Acting school. 

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Her background is extensive; ranging from musicals such as Les Misérables and Blood Brothers to plays including Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls and Sarah Kane’s Crave; not to mention plenty of live sessions for radio, regular gigs with cover bands and appearances at events around the country.

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Donna’s performance style is powerful, dominant and audience responsive. She commands the stage with presence and confidence, but it’s intimate acoustic sessions where she’s most at home.

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“Stripped back acoustic gigs are some of my favourites,” says Donna. “Having that level of intimacy with the crowd, where you can see the ‘whites of the eyes’, is such a responsibility; perhaps more so than big stages where all you see is lights...”

 

With songs in the pipeline, there are exciting things coming soon from Donna Harfield.

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