By Callum Ludwig
A multi-talented singer-songwriter is bringing two different acts on the same day to The Memo in Healesville on Saturday 1 July.
Gumbaynggirr woman Emma Donovan will be performing her ABC Kids album Follow the Sun from 2pm before teaming up with funk rhythm band The Putbacks from 7.30pm.
Ms Donovan said she is looking forward to the gig and being back in Healesville having last played there with the late Uncle Archie Roach.
“Follow the Sun is written mostly after I had my first daughter in 2016, I wanted to write for her, and I thought about songs I didn’t have at her age growing up, wrote about landmarks and childhood,” she said.
“The second show with The Putbacks is my collaboration I write with our funk-soul outfit, mixing up songs from our last two albums.”
There is a unique storytelling element in both performances, with Follow the Sun featuring stories from Ms Donovan’s childhood, original songs and classic children’s tunes such as I Can Sing a Rainbow and Once I Caught a Fish Alive sung in Noongar and Gumbaynggirr languages.
With The Putbacks, Ms Donovan helps create a uniquely Australian twist on the classic American soul, having released three studio albums together previously; Dawn (2014), Crossover (2020) and Under These Streets (2021).
Ms Donovan said she hopes kids will pick up the languages and sing along.
“Most of the kid’s songs are based around playing with the ukulele, I picked up the uke to sing the country style I learned growing up, so both the shows are different in music styles, you can hear the island country style reggae,” she said.
“I love that I get to reflect on my childhood, include my children in storytelling and give them a space to feel like they can explore more where I’m from and give them a strong identity. I also feel the same about playing with The Putbacks, taking people possibly to the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales.”
Tickets to Follow the Sun can be found at: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/Emma-Donovan-Follow-the-Sun.
Tickets to Emma Donovan and The Putbacks can be found at: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/Emma-Donovan-The-Putbacks.
Ms Donovan said she hopes the storytelling helps to connect her to the audience more.
“It’s what I’m passing down, I grew up learning and listening to stories and I hope to always continue,” she said.
“I hope anyone can take what they need for themselves and I hope I give a better understanding to learn more about the Aboriginal story and life.”
