Emma Donovan
Background information
Born1981
GenresR&B, soul, country, reggae
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Years active2000–present
LabelsHopeStreet Recordings • Cooking Vinyl Australia
Websiteemmadonovan.com

Emma Donovan (born 1981) is an Aboriginal Australian singer and songwriter. She is a member of the renowned musical Donovan family. She started her singing career at age seven with her uncle's band, the Donovans. In 2000, she became a founding member of Stiff Gins, leaving the band three years later to release the solo album Changes in 2004. She performs with the Black Arm Band and released a solo EP, Ngaaraanga, in 2009.[1]

She has been nominated for multiple Deadly Awards including Female Artist of the Year,[2] and performed at the opening of the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay.[3] She won Best Female Artist at the 2009 BUMP Awards.[4] Donovan appeared in the ABC series Dynasties in 2004,[5] and was the subject of the 2005 SBS TV documentary Emma Donovan: Gumbainggir Lady.[6]

Donovan has sung with and performed with Indigenous Australian musicians such as Frank Yamma, her cousin Casey Donovan, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, Kerriane Cox, Christine Anu, Tiddas, Yothu Yindi and Jimmy Little.[3][7][8] She has also performed with Paul Kelly, Ursula Yovich, and Shellie Morris.[4]

Early life and education

Heritage

Donovan was born in 1981 in Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney. Her father, Neville Councillor, is from Geraldton in Western Australia,[1] and is of Naaguja and Yamatji heritage.[9] Her mother, Agnes Donovan, is a Gumbaynggirr/Danggali woman from the Nambucca Valley on the north coast of New South Wales,[9] where Emma was raised.[7][10]

Music

Donovan's musical singing career started at a young age. Her grandparents Micko and Aileen Donovan, years before her birth, founded the Aboriginal country band The Donovans, which consisted of their five sons and daughter Agnes singing at local events. Donovan's uncles still perform as the Donovan Brothers band. At the age of seven, she began periodically singing with the Donovans.[11] Her family and mother Agnes encouraged and supported her singing, Agnes taking her to talent competitions around the country.[5] Agnes also helped develop Aboriginal showcases at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in the late 1990s, in which Donovan took part.[1]

Education

Donovan's family moved frequently, and she attended multiple schools in New South Wales and WA, with an extended time spent at North Newtown Primary. In 1997, at age sixteen, Donovan was studying contemporary music at the Eora College for Performing Arts in Chippendale, New South Wales. The school was founded to provide education for Indigenous students.[1] She began branching out from country music, exploring reggae and R&B as well.[9]

Musical career

1999–2003: Stiff Gins

Main article: Stiff Gins

In late 1999, Donovan formed the vocal acoustic band Stiff Gins with Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs after meeting at the Eora College. They released their first EP, Soh Fa, on Sony Records in 2000. Donovan co-wrote their second release, the full album Origins.[7] The group won two Deadly Awards; 2000 for Most Promising New Talent and in 2001 for Best Single Release for "Morning Star". After touring both nationally and internationally, Donovan left the group in 2003 to work on solo material with industry professionals.[1]

2004–2006: Changes

In 2004, she was the subject of SBS documentary Gumbaynggirr Lady and opened the 2004 Summer Olympics torch relay.[3] Later that year, she toured in Greece for the Indigenous Australia Now exhibition prior to the 2004 Olympics. That year she also performed at the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in Palau.[3]

In 2004, Donovan released her debut solo album Changes. The Sydney launch of the album was well received.[1][3] The style was a blend of soul, gospel, and reggae, with country undertones.[1] In 2005, Donovan embarked on an Australian tour to promote the album. In 2007, Wendy Martin of the Sydney Opera House stated: "Emma is one of the most requested artists on Koori Radio 93.7FM since the release of her CD Changes, and is fast becoming one of the most popular live performers in Sydney."[3]

In 2006 she performed at the Perth Festival of the Arts, the Australian Performing Arts market in Adelaide, the Waitangi Day Ceremony in New Zealand, and The Dreaming Festival in Queensland. She also made a short tour to Paris. In 2006, Donovan recorded three songs with longtime writing partner Yanya Boston, a drummer she had met while performing with the Stiff Gins. She also worked with Rob Wolf and Adam Ventoura.[3] Among the songs were "Lonely" and "He's Just A Kid." At the time she was a participant in the Music NSW industry program Which Way.[1]

2007–2012: The Black Arm Band and Ngarraanga

In 2007 she performed at the WOMADELAIDE festival, various festivals in Melbourne,[3] and the Sydney Opera House with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.[7][8]

In 2007, Donovan was invited to become a member of the Black Arm Band.[11] The travelling group performed a stage musical called Murundak/Alive – The Black Arm Band, which reproduced iconic songs of the Aboriginal resistance movement. The show toured England and Canada to great acclaim.[1] The cast consists of a rotating line-up of Australian Indigenous musicians, and in 2007 murundak won the Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Music Concert.[citation needed]

Simultaneously while working on Murundaki, Donovan was working on material with drummer Yanya Boston. The pair co-wrote the single "Ngarranga – Remember", intended as a prayer to acknowledge the Stolen Generations experience. It was initially released on the Kimberly Stolen Generation Corporation's 2007 compilation CD Cry Stolen.[1]

By April 2008, Donovan was working with industry veteran Vicki Gordon of VGM Media and Marketing. Together they created a gospel remix of the single "Ngarranga – Remember," along with four other songs to create a five track EP.[1] The EP, Ngarraanga (Remember), or Ngarraanga Ngiinundi Yuludarra (Remember Your Dreaming), is intended as a tribute to the Stolen Generations.[citation needed] The songs include Donovan's traditional language, as well as spoken words from her Uncle Harry Buchanan and backing vocals from Gary Pinto and Juanita Tippins.[4] The EP was released by MGM on National Sorry Day on 26 May 2009.[1][4] A music video to accompany the "Ngarranga" single was filmed at Carriageworks performance space in Redfern, New South Wales, starring Donovan and Torres Strait Islander dancer Albert David.[1] It is interwoven with archival footage.[4]

In October 2009 at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Donovan performed in the world premiere of the musical theatre production of Dirtsong, created by Black Arm Band. The songs were written by Alexis Wright, with some sung in Indigenous languages. The show was reprised as the closing show at the 2014 Adelaide Festival. Other performers included Trevor Jamieson (2014 only), Archie Roach, Lou Bennett, and Paul Dempsey.[12][13][14][15]

Donovan performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.[4][11]

2013–2021: Emma Donovan & The PutBacks

In 2013, Donovan started performing with The Putbacks, a funk / soul band based in Melbourne, as Emma Donovan & The PutBacks. They have toured together and recorded several songs and albums. Their debut album Dawn was released November 2014, Crossover in November 2020, and Under these Streets in September 2021.[16][17]

2022–present

In January 2022, Donovan released a cover of Archie Roach's "Get back to the Land" with The Teskey Brothers.[18]

In November 2022, she collaborated with other First Nations artists DOBBY, Emily Wurramara, Drmngnow, and Optamus to create a song in memory of Cassius Turvey, a Noongar-Yamatji boy who had died at the age of 15 the result of an assault by a random attacker when walking home from school in Perth, Western Australia. The song, titled "Forever 15",[19] was played at Turvey's funeral on 18 November 2022 funeral[20] and released three days later on 21 November 2022.[19][21]

In July 2023, Donovan released "Take No More" with Kee'Ahn.[22]

In February 2024, Donovan announced the release of her fifth studio album, Til My Song is Done, scheduled for release on 19 April 2024.[23]

Musical style

Donovan's singing and songwriting frequently blend reggae, gospel, smooth soul, roots, and country music.[4][7][10] Her work with the soul / funk-influenced Putbacks has been likened to Aretha Franklin's Atlantic - era recordings, however, her record label highlights the influence of Australian Indigenous music, and claim her song-writing is "more akin to classic Aboriginal bands like Coloured Stone than it is to Sharon Jones".[24]

Although she has stated she is proud of her Naaguja, Yamatji, and Danggali tribal heritage, she most frequently expresses her Gumbaynggirr heritage from her mother's side in her music, often singing in the traditional language.[1][9][11]

Documentaries

Donovan has appeared in or been featured in a handful of documentaries. The documentary Gumbayngirr Lady featured her, and was filmed and aired by the Special Broadcasting Service in 2004 as part of their BLAKTRAX series. The hour-long film followed Donovan to her home region of Macksville, New South Wales.[3] In 2005 she appeared in the ABC series Dynasties (episode 5), which was filmed on location in Woodford, Queensland while she was performing at the Dreaming Festival.[3][5][25]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details
Changes
  • Released: 2004
  • Format: CD
  • Note: The album was sponsored by the Australia Council for the Arts
Dawn
(by Emma Donovan & The PutBacks)
  • Released: 7 November 2014[26]
  • Format: CD, DD, LP
  • Label: Hope Street Recordings (HS015)
Crossover
(by Emma Donovan & The PutBacks)
  • Released: 6 November 2020[27]
  • Format: CD, DD, LP, streaming
  • Label: Hope Street Recordings
Under These Streets
(by Emma Donovan & The PutBacks)
  • Released: 17 September 2021[28]
  • Format: CD, DD, LP, streaming
  • Label: Heavy Machinery Records/Cooking Vinyl Australia
Til My Song Is Done
  • Scheduled: 19 April 2024[23]
  • Format: CD, LP, streaming
  • Label: Cooking Vinyl Australia

Extended plays

Title Album details
Ngarraanga
  • Released: 26 May 2009[1]
  • Format: CD, DD
  • Label: VGM (VGM12009)
Follow the Sun
  • Released: 21 February 2022
  • Format: DD, streaming
  • Label: ABC

See also

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Crossover Independent Album of the Year Nominated [29][30]
Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or EP Won
2022 Under These Streets (with the Putbacks) Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or EP Won [31][32]

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Crossover (with the PutBacks) ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album Nominated [33]
ARIA Award for Best Independent Release Nominated
2022 Under These Streets (with the PutBacks) Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated [34]

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. It commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Crossover Album of the Year Nominated [35]
2021 Under These Streets Australian Music Prize Nominated [36]

The Deadly Awards

The Deadly Awards, commonly known simply as The Deadlys, was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community. The ran from 1995 to 2013.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2003 Emma Donovan Female Artist of the Year Nominated [3]
2005 Emma Donovan Female Artist of the Year Nominated [2]
2009 Emma Donovan Female Artist of the Year Nominated
"Ngarraanga" Single of the Year Nominated

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 herself Double J Artist of the Year Nominated [37]
2021 Emma Donovan & The Putbacks Double J Artist of the Year Nominated [38][39]

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.[40][41]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 Dawn (Emma Donovan & The Putbacks) Best Soul, Funk, R'n'B and Gospel Album Won [42][43]
Emma Donovan Best Indigenous Act Won
2016 Emma Donovan Best Indigenous Act Nominated
2021 herself Outstanding Woman in Music Nominated [44]
Crossover Best Victorian Album Won [45][46]
Emma Donovan and The Putbacks Best Group Won
Best Soul, Funk, R’n’B or Gospel Act Won
Emma Donovan Best Musician Nominated
2022 Emma Donovan & The Putbacks Best Group Won [47][48]

National Indigenous Music Awards

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 Dawn (Emma Donovan and Putbacks) Album of the Year Nominated
"Black Woman" Song of the Year Nominated
2016 Emma Donovan Artist of the Year Nominated [49]
2022 Under These Streets Album of the Year Nominated [50][51]

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Emma Donovan and the Putbacks Best Live Act in Victoria Nominated [52][53]
Best R&B or Soul Act Nominated
Emma Donovan Live Voice in Victoria Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Davern, Pearl (4 May 2009). "Emma Donovan shoots her first music video". ABC. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  2. ^ a b Deadly Vibe Issue 104, October 2005 Archived 8 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine Xpress Delivery
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Emma Donovan – Story". BlackList: Australian Indigenous Music. Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Bio". EmmaDonovan.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Dynasties: Episode 5 Archived 12 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Donovan family
  6. ^ SBS TV. Living Black: Episode 3[permanent dead link] Emma Donovan: Gumbainggir Lady
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  13. ^ "Dirtsong" (audio). The Wire. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  14. ^ McDonald, Patrick (17 March 2014). "Adelaide Festival review 2014: Dirtsong – Black Arm Band". Adelaide Now.
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  19. ^ a b "DOBBY, Emily Wurramara, Kee'ahn, DRMNGNOW and more feature on song honouring the late Cassius Turvey". NME. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  20. ^ Ho, Cason (18 November 2022). "Cassius Turvey funeral: hundreds mourn slain teenager and celebrate his life". ABC News. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
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  25. ^ "Emma Donovan Band". WOMAD. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
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  27. ^ "Crossover DD". Apple Music. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  28. ^ "Under These Streets CD". JB HiFi. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
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  30. ^ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022". musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  32. ^ Tyler Jenke (5 August 2022). "Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards". MusicFeeds. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  33. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021). "ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  34. ^ Lars Brandle (12 October 2022). "Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)". The Music Network. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  35. ^ "2020 Australian Music Prize Finalists". scenestr. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Australian Music Prize reveals 'strong & diverse' shortlist". The Music Network. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  37. ^ "The J Award 2015". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  38. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (1 November 2021). "Triple j reveals J Awards nominees". The Music Network. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  39. ^ "Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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  41. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  42. ^ "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  43. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  44. ^ "Kylie Minogue, Pierre Baroni, to be inducted into Music Victoria Hall of Fame at upcoming awards". The Music Network. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  45. ^ "Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021". Noise11. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  46. ^ "Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  47. ^ "2022 Music Victoria Awards Reveal Public Voting Categories Nominees". The Music Network. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  48. ^ "Music Victoria Awards 2022 Winners". Scenestr. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  49. ^ "2016 Winners". National Indigenous Music Awards. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
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  51. ^ "2022 NIMAs: Baker Boy Wins Two Awards, Archie Roach and Gurrumul Honoured". The Music Network. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  52. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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