Emma Donovan

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Emma Donovan is a celebrated Aboriginal Australian singer and songwriter, known for her powerful voice and heartfelt storytelling. A proud Gumbaynggirr and Noongar woman, she began performing at age seven with her family’s band, The Donovans, later co-founding the Indigenous trio Stiff Gins and releasing her solo album Changes in 2004. Her collaboration with Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks has been particularly impactful, resulting in critically acclaimed albums including Dawn (2014), Crossover (2020), and Til My Song is Done (2024), which was nominated for an ARIA Award. Emma has performed at festivals across Australia and collaborated with artists such as Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers, Paul Grabowsky and more. In 2025, she launched Take Me To The River , a show paying tribute to the Black American artists who have influenced her journey, reimagined through an Australian lens.