Emma Donovan & The Putbacks 2022

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Soulful singing is a way of life for acclaimed Indigenous vocalist Emma Donovan. 

Growing up singing church songs with her grandparents on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia, her first secular gigs were singing in the family band, The Donovans, with her mother and five uncles.  

Throughout her career, Donovan has toured and recorded with many of the mainstays of Indigenous music from Archie Roach to Dan Sultan and was a member of the Black Arm Band project. Through this ensemble, the vocalist met the stone-cold pros known as The Putbacks. These grizzled veterans of all tours and all studios (give or take) were the ideal creative companions for Donovan, and so began a beautiful relationship. 

Emma Donovan & The Putbacks stayed focused throughout the pandemic, releasing two albums, Crossover and Under These Streets, in the span of 10 months. Under These Streets brought Donovan back together with her musical unit in a Melbourne studio to make eight songs that crackle with pent-up energy. Expect a live soul and funk masterclass at Speakers Corner.  

'The Putbacks can change form as needed to honour the burning sincerity of Donovan's voice and lyrics' - NME