Emma Donovan

Emma Donovan is an acclaimed Indigenous Australian singer and songwriter best known for her work with rhythm ensemble The Putbacks. 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. In 2004, she was the subject of SBS documentary Gumbaynggirr Lady. In 2014, Emma and The Putbacks released their album Dawn to great acclaim. Emma expresses her Gumbaynggirr heritage from her late mother’s side in her music, often singing in traditional language. The release of their much-anticipated new album Crossover in 2020 has been described by The Monthly as “an album with family and culture at its heart”.