Emma Donovan, vocal director artistic committee, Black Arm Band
We are all different and we have to walk forward with the things that connect us instead of divide us ...
Set against a backdrop of stunning moving images and text, Dirtsong features a collection of songs performed in 11 different Aboriginal languages by some of Australia’s most extraordinary performers that form part of Black Arm Band – a collective of renowned Indigenous singers, musicians, performers and actors from across Australia who are dedicated to showcasing and celebrating contemporary Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, culture, experience and identity. Dirtsong takes audiences on a powerful musical journey through Australia’s cultural heartland and it’s coming to The Arts Centre Gold Coast in September. We caught up with Emma Donovan, vocal director for Black Arm Band, to chat about the transformational power of music and blue-sky dreams.
We’re excited about Dirtsong but for readers who may not have heard, can you tell us a little about the show? Dirtsong is a great experience for just about anyone – old, young, black, white. It is a true representation of what we know about this country and the connection to the land by indigenous songs. Dirtsong will take you to the front row of an Indigenous community and you will witness the people and connections to each different place.
The show is a musical exploration of the cultural heartland of Australia, what is about music in particular that you believe has the ability to transcend cultural barriers?
Our biggest compliment about the show is that people don’t understand the individual languages sung, but they really don’t have to, you still feel that transportation and respect we share and have to the land. You feel the people’s generosity and simple acknowledgment to country.
Can you tell us about Black Arm Band and its objectives?
Our role is to generally always respect the country and people from all indigenous backgrounds, continue exchanging and telling stories as we develop, listening to community and having that respect always for age-old indigenous language and song. Black Arm Band has a major role and that is to keep developing new work for emerging artists to be on board and keep this place a platform for their work.
Black Arm Band’s shows can be fairly emotional. What has been the most profound reaction to one of your performances?
Going to the community and seeing the look on some of the younger children’s faces and feeling the proudness of the old people too – it’s their generosity and stories we are proud to tell.
What is your blue-sky dream for the collective?
Just to keep some solid Indigenous musical work alive in the spirit of reconciliation. Our core band is a collection of Non-Indigenous musicians, so to continue working together and making those relationships tight, it is important to tell these stories together and be proud of all the work together.
How important is music to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander communities?
It is the forefront of every community. These cultural practices are alive and are passed down today and in some communities it’s a way of survival to keep the songs safe and strong. We feel like some of the artists individually contribute to that and that’s what is so special about the collective in Black Arm Band.
What is your proudest achievement so far?
Just being in this company and seeing all the younger people come and bring their new work. Also the honour of singing another language from a different part of the country, where in any other band would I get to do that? It’s a huge achievement personally for me.
What inspires you?
Our people, our strength, sometimes the hard times, racism and the way media treat our people – these are the things that keep us going and inspired to keep producing good work.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt on this journey so far?
Never judge, always respect any culture, be humble when different communities show different ways to connect and just give. Also understanding that we are all different and we have to walk forward with the things that connect us instead of divide us.
How can people get involved and support Black Arm Band?
Come to our gigs, spread the word and support local indigenous music!