Following a breathtaking live show at Sydney Opera House last Friday as part of their 50th birthday celebrations, acclaimed Indigenous singer and songwriter Emma Donovan has today unveiled the video for her important, first solo single, Blak Nation.
The video gives viewers a behind the scenes look at Emma and her band in the studio, whilst reinforcing the key messages of Blak Nation. It was filmed by Chris Cowburn, Tori Styles and Robert “Squid” Collins, and edited by Chris Cowburn.
Emma explains the premise of song saying, “Lyrically Blak Nation is about a cultural practice called back burning, we make a cool fire to promote regrowth. The ‘cool fire’ is reference to the new generation.
Bringing the Blak Nation to front of this nation, new artists continuing to tell their powerful stories.
That ‘cool fire’ is new generation of Blak voice in Music industry today.
I’m proud of the progress we have made as a nation. Seeing Aboriginal names of Country & People shared.
To see all kinds of people acknowledging traditional places where they live and work. This didn’t happen for my old people and even me growing up, it’s good to see it more now.”
Blak Nation is the first taste of Emma’s debut solo album, set for a 2024 release. Download / stream Blak Nation HERE.
Emma will showcase Blak Nation with a single launch at Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne as part of the Always Live Ballroom Mixtape Series, on December 3. With special guest Pirritu, tickets are on sale now – see HERE.
Artwork by Jim Grimwade. Instagram: @jim_grimwade
