Emma Donovan: Songs, Stories & Soul from Family & Country

Witness the talent and the new work of celebrated, ARIA-nominated, award-winning Indigenous singer and songwriter Emma Donovan and her band. Featuring her trademark soul/country songs and new music recorded in Gumbaynggirr and Noongar languages. Emma is proud to be one of the First Nations artists spearheading efforts to put traditional languages on the music map.  

“I am very proud to introduce new words and share languages with audiences and fans. It’s so important to preserve this part of our history, family and country. For me to write my solo album, I needed to go back into my own family musical archives to rediscover the country music I was raised on and that I performed. My solo work will be richly influenced by my family and memories of touring with The Donovans performing country and gospel music. My family’s musical history is known but not yet world renowned. This project will shine a light on Indigenous music culture, sharing stories and preserving language in song. I want to share my story with Australia and the world, and I want audiences to hear my songs and languages to enhance their knowledge of our expansive history of this country.” Emma Donovan 

Presented by: Frankston Arts Centre and HIT Productions as part of the 2024 FAC Season and the 2024 South Side Festival

Emma first appeared on the stage with the renowned family band The Donovans, performing church song renditions with her mother Agnes, her five uncles and maternal grandparents Micko and Aileen.

Since then, Emma has toured & recorded with the best in the Australian music scene including Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers, Paul Grabowsky, Spinifex Gum and the late Uncle Archie Roach and Aunty Ruby Hunter. Emma is also well known for her work with the highly regarded Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks & the extraordinary Black Arm Band project.

Her collaboration with The Putbacks has won multiple awards including best Soul/RnB album 2021 (Crossover) and 2022 (Under These Streets) at the AIR Awards and Best Soul, Funk R&B or Gospel Act, Best Group and Best Album for ‘Crossover’ at the 2021 Music Victoria Awards.

Image creditby Ian Laidlaw