EMMA DONOVAN

Emma Donovan is one of Australia’s most revered voices. She first appeared on the stage with her renowned family band The Donovans, performing church song renditions with her mother Agnes, her five uncles and maternal grandparents Micko and Aileen. In all, Emma has been touring the country for over 20 years, performing soulful songs, and sharing powerful stories with audiences around the globe.

Emma has toured and recorded with artists such as Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers, Paul Grabowsky, Spinifex Gum and the late Uncle Archie Roach AC, and Aunty Ruby Hunter. Emma was part of greatly admired Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks and the extraordinary Black Arm Band project. Her collaboration with The Putbacks 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.

On her mother’s side, Emma is part of the famed Donovan family of singers of the Gumbaynggirr people, of what is now known as Northern New South Wales. On her father’s side, Emma is of the Yamatji people, of what is now known as Western Australia.

Emma regularly performs songs in Gumbaynggirr and Noongar traditional languages, and shares stories to provide her audiences with an understanding of Country and community.

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“Emma’s voice is everything you’d want in a soul singer. She’s the real deal.” – Wax Poetics
"Donovan can front a well-oiled soul band in her sleep” – Rolling Stone