Emma Donovan was born in 1981. Her father, Neville Councillor, is from Geraldton in
Western Australia and is of Bibbulman/Yamatji heritage. Her mother, Agnes Donovan, is
a Gumbainggir/Dahn Gadi woman from the mid north coast of New South Wales, where
Emma was raised.
Donovan's musical 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. Emma's
uncles still perform as The Donovan Brothers band. At the age of seven Emma began
periodically singing with The Donovans. Her family and mother Agnes encouraged and
supported her singing, Agnes taking her to talent competitions around the country.
Emma'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. She began branching out from country music, exploring reggae and
R&B and soul.
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.
After touring both nationally and internationally, Donovan left the group in 2003 to work
on solo material with industry professionals.
Donovan released her debut solo album Changes in 2004. The style was a blend of soul,
gospel, and reggae, with country undertones. In 2005, Donovan embarked on an
Australian tour to promote the album.
Some of her popular singles from the album were included on Indigenous compilations;
"Koori Time" was included on the Sending a Message album put out by ABC, and
"Gumbayngirr Lady" was included on the Fresh Salt compilation. "Changes" was
released as a single on 15 February 2010 on MGM. A music video for the single was shot
in Donovan's home region of Nambucca, and released in May 2010.
In 2006, Donovan went into the studio to record three songs with long time writing
partner Yanya Boston, a drummer she had met while performing with the Stiff Gins. She
also worked with Rob Wolf and Adam Ventoura. Among the songs were "Lonely" and
"He's Just A Kid."
In 2005, Donovan was invited to become the youngest member of the newly formed
Black Arm Band when the company performed its debut production murundak (meaning
alive in Woiwurrung), which reproduced iconic songs of the Aboriginal resistance
movement.
As well as developing in her solo career, over her eight years with Black Arm Band,
Donovan has grown into a key ensemble member with Black Arm Band who sits on
company’s Board. Donovan was recently being appointed Artistic Associate to the
Artistic Director.