Dawn Faith
Her first single, Messed Up Heart, was produced by the best in the business – Jason Heerah (Electric Empire) and Dorian West (X-Factor, Australia’s Got Talent) – and helped make Dawn the #1 artist in Melbourne and #7 in Australia on the ReverbNation R&B/Soul charts.
Followed by her highly anticipated debut EP, Audience of One, which was written and produced by Dawn herself. In a departure from the sounds that often dominate Christian music, the EP is a collection of songs that defies classification but defines ‘soul’ – seamlessly integrating elements of jazz and gospel, with lyrics that are both confronting and uplifting. Audience of One is a testament to the reality of faith in action and the power of music to comfort, heal and overcome, inspired by the loss of her daughter, the birth of her son, and the journey between these two life-changing events.
As scary as it is to reveal so much of my soul, I’ve always been determined that circumstances (good or bad) will never change the decision to live my truth, especially through my music. Says Dawn, ”Christian music has somehow become a prescribed sound, and there’s an expectation that it should stay within the church, but faith is not a genre. My hope is that this EP will be a musical tapestry with enough elements that everyone can find a piece that inspires them to live for an audience of one.”
Dawn returned to South Africa in 2016 to write and release her first book Dear God, which tells the story of her daughter’s passing and how Dawn found her way back to life and hope. Already it has received great acclaim and Dawn is currently in the midst of a national book tour. Her next project is major a talk show, called Deep & Meaningful, of which she is the creator and executive producer. The show will be hosted by Dawn, will feature a range of high-profile women as guests, and will air across Africa and the world.
Having just turned 35, Dawn has
Dawn has recorded and collaborated with several high-profile artists in both South Africa (Loyiso Bala, Zakes Bantwini, Ntokozo Mbambo) and Australia (Evermore, Diafrix). Having embraced her innate talent as a singer and songwriter, Dawn is now using her own music to reach and inspire people around the world.
Dawn’s love of singing began in her grandmother’s church, located in the South African township of KwaMashu, where Dawn herself grew up. This love was nurtured by her mother – herself a brilliant vocalist – who would blast records by Aretha Franklin, Donnie Hathaway and Kool & The Gang early in the morning and late at night. At a young age, Dawn also experienced the power of music in creating social change, as it formed the soundtrack for the anti-apartheid movement.
Influenced by her upbringing and a deep desire to make a difference, Dawn has dedicated much of her life to inspiring young people to rise above their circumstances. She was the South African Director of one of the world’s largest youth-run organisations and worked in partnership with Nelson Mandela’s 46664 to find ways of using music for good. After relocating to Australia in 2009, she expanded her pursuit of justice, working to empower disadvantaged youth and recent immigrants.
Dawn Faith is a woman whose voice has the power to quite literally change the world. She is an artist, speaker, author, social activist and, soon, the host of her own TV show.
She is regularly asked to perform both acoustic and with a full band at all manner of events – weddings, parties, concerts, and award shows. She has done so in some of the world’s most revered venues such as the Sydney Opera House, and alongside legendary artists like Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
She’s also been called on to share her story as a motivational and keynote speaker at conferences, churches and schools, including Oprah’s Leadership Academy for Girls. It’s in a live setting that Dawn’s true talent shines. She has a unique ability to read, entertain and connect with an audience, whether in an intimate venue with only a handful of people or a concert hall of several thousand.