Music
Press
“I have had the pleasure of booking Emma for various concerts and events from large scale concerts such as Yabun to smaller intimate acoustics gigs. Emma has the unique ability to adapt her performances to suit these different settings. I feel that because of her strong songwriting talents her material is able to be adapted to acoustic performances through to full band electric performances. Emma is a powerful creative musical force and is not afraid to make her own music and tell her own stories from an Indigenous womans perspective. With the right support and opportunities Emma will prove just how far an Indigenous performer can go and she also has the ability to make a significant impact on the Australian and world music scene.” - Michael Hutchings
“Emma Donovan participated in the Message Sticks Indigenous Arts Festival at Sydney Opera House in 2002 and 2003. In 2002 the performance by Emma’s band was a highlight of the festival. Emma’s spirit shines through in her performances and on the many occasions I saw this band Emma flawed audiences with her beautiful voice. After Emma’s success in 2002, in 2003 she took part in a musical collaboration between Indigenous singer Frank Yamma and the dance band Wicked Beat Sound System. The success of this collaboration, which was also presented at Perth International Arts Festival, was due in no small part to Emma’s voice and her skills as a performer. I wish Emma every success in her endeavours.” - Wendy Martin
"Having seen Emma perform with the Stiff Gins and now with her band on many occasions, I am more than happy to recommend her. She is gaining in on stage presence, and her voice is wonderful. It's a voice that is perfect for country, blues, soul or gospel, but I believe she could turn her hand to any style because she has the ability to convey any emotion, from feistiness to heartbreak. Emma is destined for big things." - Annette Tripodi
Discography
Debut Album- Changes
WhichWay Up- EP
Photos
Bio
Originally hailing from Northern NSW, EMMA DONOVAN grew up in a musical family, which inevitably led to her following the family tradition of singing, song writing and performance.
Drawing her influences from many genres such as country, soul, gospel and reggae, Emma has set about developing her sound and songs. She was an original member of vocal trio, Stiff Gins, and played a part in writing and recording their 12 track album Origins, where the award winning single Morning Star came from.
Some of Emma's collaborations appear on Australia's leading Indigenous compilations. Most recently, Koori Time, being a part of the Sending a Message album put out by the ABC, and the Fresh Salt compilation that features Gumbayngirr Lady. Gumbayngirr Lady was also the title of a documentary on Emma, filmed and aired by SBS in 2004 and often repeated both in Australia and New Zealand as part of their BLAKTRAX Series. The hour long documentary follows Emma back to her home region of Macksville, NSW, where her musical and cultural history is firmly planted.
2004 saw Emmas first international performances. First was in Greece, to perform for the opening of the ‘Indigenous Australia Now’ exhibition prior to the Athens Olympics. Then to Palau, for the 10th Festival Of Pacific Arts. Having performed both nationally and internationally, the next thing for Emma was to record her debut solo album Changes, which was launched in Sydney to a sell out audience. The album made radio play lists around the country, including the Qantas Inflight music station, which added the title track Changes for regular rotation.
2005 saw Emma promoting her album across the country as she continues to establish herself as one of Australia’s finest contemporary performers.
Emma appeared in the ABC series Dynasties, filmed on location in Woodford, QLD in 2005, where she was performing at the inaugural Dreaming Festival. She also had trips to New Zealand as well as appearing across Australia for various appearances.
2006 was performances at the Perth Festival of the Arts, the Australian Performing Arts market in Adelaide, Waitangi Day Ceremony in New Zealand, The Dreaming Festival in QLD, as well as a tour to Paris. Emma has also found time this year to sneak into the studio to begin work on a new album, recording three songs with long time writing partner, Yanya Boston (Fruit/Nessa Morgan), along with Rob Wolf (Guy Sebastian, Diesel) and Adam Ventoura (Jon Stevens). Emma was also invited to sing on the new album from Blue King Brown “Stand Up”. You can hear Emma featured on their track “Water”.
2007 has already been a busy time for Emma. In February Emma launched her latest EP to a sell out crowd at Sydney Opera House as well as travel back to New Zealand to perform at the National Kapa Haka championships, New Zealands most prestigious cultural festival. March saw performances at WOMADelaide as well as the Melbourne FINA festival. With return headline performances at The Dreaming Festival in QLD later this year, as well as tour to New Caledonia coming up Emma keeps moving from strength to strength.
Emma has sung with and alongside many of the most well respected indigenous performers Australia has to offer, such as: Frank Yamma, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, Kerriane Cox, Christine Anu, Stiff Gins, Tiddas, Yothu Yindi, and Jimmy Little. With her fusion of urban soul styles, she is fast becoming one of the artists with the ability to successfully cross over into the mainstream music industry.
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