Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this article contains names of people who have died.
Emma Donovan is one of Australia's most formidable voices.
Not just as a presence capable of expressing great power and beauty, but in the importance of the messages she's expressed in a two-decade body of work that spans soul, funk, country, children's music and more.
The Gumbayngirr, Dhungutti and Yamatji woman's latest missive is no exception. On her new solo single 'Blak Nation' she sings:
'Most of the time I don't think about race
Why is it all about colour?
If you're a friend to me
I call you my brother'
Backed by the simmering sounds of vintage soul and muscular R'n'B, the single possesses the fiery spirit of protest music but finds Donovan calling for unity and understanding during an era of national division.
Speaking to Double J, the musician says plenty of mob are still deeply hurt in the wake of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum being defeated.
"It was hard and we come out of this horrible few weeks. People are still struggling, still trying to find ways, words, find how they fit. But overall, we're still holding on. I want to hold on to good."
On the Saturday in October when votes were being tallied, Emma Donovan was performing as part of Now & Forever – an all-star concert organised by Double J Artist of the Year, Briggs, on Yorta Yorta country in Shepparton.
"What can I say about that fella? He's too good," reflects Donovan. "The respect that he holds and the people he's connected to – the right people that want to make change. He knows how to pull that together and I think it was exceptional, it was unreal what he done out of Shep.
"I was really nervous that day wondering what the outcome was going to be. But when something like [that defeat] happens I just want to hold on to people that he pulled together because that's going to keep me going.
"That's going to keep me … solid and focused on: we are who we are, writing and sharing tunes and messages."
Donovan got started young, singing as a child with her family's renowned country band The Donovans. After studying contemporary music in Eora/Sydney, she went on to co-found Stiff Gins and become a member of the travelling Black Arm Band project.
Over the past decade, she's enjoyed further success fronting multi-award winning soul-funk combo The Putbacks. So, understandably, Donovan is "a little bit emotional" to close her chapter with The Putbacks as she turns her attention to a new solo album.
"It's all me; there's no-one else to focus on," she tells Double J's Tim Shiel. "It's scary as hell!" she adds with a hearty laugh that punctuates much of their conversation.
"I've been playing, writing, recording with The Putbacks for close to a nine year bubble. And an even longer relationship with bassist Micky Meagher and drummer Rory McDougall, who I met from the Black Arm Band days.
"The Putbacks, it's such a beautiful collaboration that we all have a story to tell there," she continues. "It's that solidarity and feeling of someone's got your back.
"With this album, I feel like I am having a go at stepping my little foot out there on my own. Emma, big woman!" she giggles.
Donovan has gone it alone before – notably with 2004 LP Changes and 2009 EP Ngarraanga – but her upcoming 2024 solo album benefits from the experience gained from The Putbacks, as well as winding back to the vocalist's roots.
"I've had that influence of growing up around the country, around my family and mob, and learning lots of gospel through my grandparents – the mission songs and all of that – that's a big part of who I am," she says.
Much of the new solo material came to Donovan during lockdown, while separated from her community and touring with The Putbacks.
"I picked up the ukulele, I [also had] my own instrument, which is my vocals. This [album] is me having a good go exploring all of them little things about myself," she continues.
"I've learnt a lot and I guess the most I've learned is 'Who am I outside of The Putbacks?'"
Something of an answer is already found in 'Blak Nation', where Donovan voices the wider frustrations and injustices faced by First Nations Australia.
'It's like banging my head against the wall, when you don't wanna listen at all,' she sings, speaking to the exhaustion of "trying to educate" White Australia on Indigenous issues.
"It's tiring. I think a lot of mob are tired. It's so draining. But we want to continue these messages … especially with a song like 'Blak Nation'.
"I want to be there for the many that walk with me. I'm not going to waste my energy on the hurtful ones, I want to stay focused."
That attention is turning toward the next generation of Indigenous leaders, communicated through 'Blak Nation' as a lyrical metaphor using the bushfire prevention practise of back burning.
'This Country's blak future is a fire/It's the right seasons, Backburning's cool fire.'
"That 'cool fire' I believe is going to come from that new generation," Donovan explains.
"Because they're continuing. Continuing people like Uncle Archie Roach's story musically. Our old people and what they've kept here for us to continue."
Always practising what she preaches, Donovan recently partnered with the Archie Roach Foundation for Singing Our Futures, a mentoring initiative for emerging songwriters and recording artists.
The first fruit of that seed is 'Take No More', a moving duet with Kee'ahn, the Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Badu Islander artist who first turned heads with her 2020 debut single 'Better Things'.
"She's a little powerhouse, and I see a lot of myself in her when I first started. Just the way she approaches music and wants to tell a story," Donovan gushes.
Championing solidarity and strength, their elegant voices perfectly complement each other over velvety threads of soul and lilting reggae.
"It had to be dub. That's my favourite. I talk about country, I talk about gospel. But okay, if we're going to do something with sissy there, we've gotta go four on the floor!" Donovan chuckles.
"I'm really proud of that track. I think the biggest thing about is we just wanted to talk about showing up. That representation of how proud we are when we show up for our mob and our communities."
She continues earnestly: "If you want to go up about what happened with the Referendum, I'm proud of the people that did show up alongside us. I want to make a noise and acknowledge that...
"Because I believe times have changed. I still think we've got a long way to go, especially after the vote recently but this is our space, where we can yarn up and have times to sing up how we need to, to keep encouraging each other."
Donovan has already been showing up and "making a bit of noise" on the 'Blak Nation' promo trail.
In October, she gave a stunning performance at the Sydney Opera House as part of the iconic venue's 50th anniversary celebrations. The concert neatly aligned with Donovan's own 42nd birthday — enough justification to stretch celebrations further.
"It's like NAIDOC Week. It carries on into the weekend, then celebrate the whole week and now it's like a month!"
Next up, she is supporting Texan blues and country artist Charley Crockett on a 2024 national tour that includes a stop in Donovan's old stomping ground of Tamworth.
"Where it all began, really. With mum taking me up to be a little country singer."
And look at her now. A beacon of positivity fronting up to do the good work. An acclaimed Indigenous artist inspiring her fellow First Nations fraternity and, for the rest of us, providing insight and understanding into Country and community through her songs and stories.
We really are lucky to have Emma Donovan.
Hear the full chat with Emma Donovan right here.