John Troy Photography
In music venues around Gallatin Valley, the pairing of smoothly resonant vocals and the expert twang of a blues guitar can only mean one thing—Emma and the Ledge are in town. Having recently won the Bozeman’s Choice Local Blues Band award for the second year in a row, it’s clear that this sister duo has become an integral part of the Bozeman community through their consistently unforgettable performances. Beloved for their imaginative combination of blues, rock, and funk styles, Emma and the Ledge have been captivating audiences since their formation in 2018. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Emma and the Ledge about their band’s history, aspirations, process, and much more. During this revealing discussion, the accomplished duo expressed gratitude for the Bozeman community that shaped them into the musicians they are today.  

Emma and the Ledge’s story goes all the way back to the sisters’ childhood, when Emma got her first acoustic guitar at age nine, and the Ledge (or Abby, as she’s known off-stage) got her first electric guitar at eleven. After years of practice, the Robino sisters made their debut at a 2018 Helena talent show, before the band even had an official name. Emma says that the two immediately felt the call of live performance; “We were totally hooked, day one.” The band’s christening would come at their next performance, an open mic night in Livingston. Here, the two saw the potential for a more professional arrangement, and Emma and the Ledge was born. 

During the band’s early days, Emma and Abby would spend long hikes with their dad talking about their dreams for their blossoming musical career; namely, what the band would be called. Surprisingly, inspiration would come from overseas, in the form of Abby’s affinity for the Irish rock band U2. Her hero was the band’s lead guitarist, the Edge, whom she hoped to emulate in her own performances. Gradually, she began to go by spoof nickname “the Ledge,” a moniker that caught on quickly amongst friends and family, and would eventually become her well-known stage name. Since then, the alias has become almost a metaphor for the band, and has a way of showing up in the group’s original songs. Abby says that they like to think of a ledge as a jumping off point for creative risks, saying; “You don’t know where you’re gonna go once you’ve taken the leap, but you’ll end up somewhere that’s hopefully a little further than you started, so might as well jump.” In their song “Ten Years,” the lyric “You thought that I fell off, but I was jumping. If you go to the ledge, going back’s not an option” is a reference to the name that has become synonymous with the band’s brand.  

The year after their establishment brought more consistency for the duo, as they played more shows and busked in downtown Bozeman whenever they could. All their hard work paid off, as, after a forced break during COVID-19, the two came back stronger and more popular than ever. Emma and the Ledge went from playing just over ten shows a year to more than thirty, all the while shifting their genre to blues rather than the alternative style they initially favored. The band was a hit throughout Montana, and they’ve stayed that way ever since. Their success has only grown since their evolution to a periodically full band; their addition of the local Bellcock brothers on bass and drums has solidified their full sound and ability to perform on larger stages. Although the sisters plan to continue their performances as the original duo, the inclusion of the full band has been a change appreciated by both audiences and the musicians themselves. The robust sound experience offered by a baseline and drums has only enhanced Emma and the Ledge’s appeal to broader audiences, and the foursome has plans to continue working together in the coming years.  

A large part of Emma and the Ledge’s popularity comes from their originality; their set lists usually consist of a vibrant mixture of beloved cover songs and original works. The sisters both say they have always enjoyed the process of writing their own music, even though that process doesn’t tend to be consistent. Usually, the Ledge comes to Emma with a new guitar riff or chord progression, which Emma will write lyrics around. However sporadic their process is, one thing stays the same; the final product will be up to the creativity of all the band’s members. Once the outline of a song is completed, Emma and the Ledge allow for the full band to add elements they feel would fit, in order to create a fuller sound. This improvisation is one of their favorite parts of what they do, and it extends to more than songwriting.  

“We never play songs the same way twice when we’re at a show,” Emma explains. To the duo and full band, calculated spontaneity is the best way to keep shows new and exciting. By encouraging the unplanned, the band not only broadens their creative horizons, but keeps the crowd effortlessly engaged and coming back for more. Audiences can rest assured that an Emma and the Ledge performance will never grow stale; from their inventive recitation of Stevie Ray Vaughn and other fan favorites to their own originals, their unscripted style keeps everyone on their toes.  


Emma and Abby both report that their expert improvisations wouldn’t be the same without the band’s secret ingredient—their bond as sisters. “I definitely would not have been doing this, especially not to this extent, had I not had the support of Abby,” Emma says, a sentiment Abby echoes. Not only do the sisters attribute their success to the assistance of the other, but state that the band’s quality largely comes from their ability to communicate with one another without speaking, a quality that comes in handy at live shows. The two don’t need to exchange words when they’re playing; a glance is all it takes to perfectly coordinate their musical spontaneity.  

However, the band’s success isn’t just due to their close relationship with each other; they also credit the Bozeman community as a source of their confidence and support. Abby said it best when she commented, “We really couldn’t do it without having that community to support us. If we were playing empty restaurants every time, it wouldn’t be as fulfilling as when we have a community that’s cheering us on at every show.” Both Bozeman natives with an impressive family lineage (with ancestors in the Bozeman area since the late 1880’s), Emma and the Ledge, along with their full band, find the Bozeman music community to be one of uniquely elevated support, and will appreciate its contributions to the band for the rest of their careers. “When we started, we were too young to be taken very seriously with this, but people built us up and gave us the best advice to let us learn and grow.” They’ve been returning the favor ever since, gracing local stages with their soulful sound.  

In the coming years, Emma and the Ledge, along with the full band, plan to come out with their first album or EP while continuing to rock Montana as much as they can. Additionally, they hope to take the band on the road to expand their audience base as much as possible. So far, they’ve played as far away as Wyoming, a trend they’re interested in continuing. But don’t worry, they’ll always hold a special place in their hearts for their hometown. “Bozeman’s always going to be a special place for us to play, even if our music does take us on the road,” Emma reassures me, and I’m sure all Bozeman fans are grateful for that.  

Be sure to keep up with Emma and the Ledge online at emmaandtheledge.com. Here, fans will find contact information, updated schedules, photos and videos, and further information about the band. Don’t let the opportunity to see this incredible group live pass you by—they’ll provide a unique blues experience you’ll never forget.

Images provided by John Troy Photography.