Stella Donnelly

Stella Donnelly (born 10 April 1992) is a Welsh-Australian indie rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. After the success of her debut EP Thrush Metal in 2017, she signed with Secretly Canadian in 2018. She released her debut studio album Beware of the Dogs to critical acclaim in March 2019, peaking at number 15 on the ARIA Album Charts and winning Independent Album of the Year at the AIR Awards. Her second studio album, Flood, was released in August 2022, debuting at number 29 on the ARIA Charts.

Stella Donnelly
Donnelly performing live in 2017
Donnelly performing live in 2017
Background information
Birth nameStella Donnelly
Born (1992-04-10) 10 April 1992
Western Australia, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • bass
  • keyboards
Years active2016–present
Labels
Websitestelladonnelly.com

Early life

Born in Western Australia to a Welsh mother,[1] she spent some childhood years in Morriston before moving to Perth with her family.[2]

Donnelly first started singing when she joined a rock band in high school (Irene McCormack Catholic College) that performed Green Day covers. After high school, Donnelly studied contemporary and jazz music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).[3] Donnelly was a part of the bands Boat Show and Bell Rapids before leaving them to pursue her solo career.[4]

Career

2017–2021: Beware of the Dogs
Main article: Beware of the Dogs

Donnelly released her first EP titled Thrush Metal in 2017 on the record label Healthy Tapes.[5] In 2018, the EP was reissued in the United States by the American label Secretly Canadian.[6][7][8]

Donnelly released her debut studio album, Beware of the Dogs, on 8 March 2019 via Secretly Canadian.[9] It received widespread acclaim from critics,[10] including Robert Christgau, who praised it as a "musical encyclopedia of [male] assholes".[11]

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Beware of the Dogs was nominated for Breakthrough Artist.[12] In October 2019, Donnelly came at no. 6 in Happy Mag's list of "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now".[13]

2022–present: Flood
Main article: Flood (Stella Donnelly album)

In January 2022, Donnelly provided vocals for "Proof", a single from Methyl Ethel's fourth studio album Are You Haunted?[14] She further featured on ReWiggled, a 2022 tribute album to Australian children's music group the Wiggles, covering their song "Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride".[15]

On 10 May, Donnelly premiered the song "Lungs" live on Triple J, and announced her forthcoming second studio album Flood. A music video for the song was also released, directed by herself and Duncan Wright.[16] Two more singles – "Lungs" and "How Was Your Day?", were released to promote the album before it was released on 26 August 2022.

Following the release of the album, Donnelly embarked on an international tour around the United Kingdom, Europe and North America that began in September.[17]

Personal life

For recreation, Donnelly enjoys playing squash, swimming at beaches, birdwatching, gardening, completing cryptic crosswords, cooking, rock climbing with her partner, and playing board games with friends.[18][19] In an interview with The Line of Best Fit she said, "My version of taking a break [from recording and touring] is filling up my day with as many activities as possible."[18]

Donnelly describes Billy Bragg and Courtney Barnett as musical influences.[20]

Political views and activism

Donnelly is a supporter of various social and political causes. Her 2017 debut single "Boys Will Be Boys", written about societal attitudes towards women and her friend's experience of sexual assault,[21][22] was dubbed a "#MeToo anthem".[21][22]

Donnelly is opposed to the celebration of Australia Day. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian she said, "It's a really nationalist, white pride day... and it's actually a very historic day for Indigenous Australians – an invasion day, and a day of mourning."[21] Donnelly supports same-sex marriage, and was "relieved" when it was legalised in Australia in 2017. Donnelly is pro-choice.[21]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[23]
Beware of the Dogs 15
Flood
  • Released: 26 August 2022[16]
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming, cassette
 29

EPs
Title Details
Thrush Metal
  • Released: 6 April 2017
  • Label: Healthy Tapes (HT026)
  • Formats: CD, 12" LP, digital download, streaming

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
BEL
[25]
"Mechanical Bull"[26] 2017 — Thrush Metal[upper-alpha 1]
"Boys Will Be Boys"[22] 125
"Talking"[27] 2018 — Non-album single
"Old Man"[28] 2019 — Beware of the Dogs
"Lunch"[29] —
"Tricks"[30]
"Die"[31] —
"Season's Greetings"[32] —
"Love Is in the Air"
(Triple J Like a Version)[33]		 2020 — Non-album single
"If I Could Cry (It Would Feel Like This)"[34] 2021 —
"Proof"
(with Methyl Ethel)[35]		 2022 — Are You Haunted?
"Lungs"[36] — Flood
"Flood"[37] —
"How Was Your Day?"[38]

Notes

  1. "Boys Will Be Boys" is also included on Beware of the Dogs.[24]

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Herself Best Independent Artist Nominated [39][40]
Breakthrough Independent Artist Nominated
2020 Beware of the Dogs Independent Album of the Year Won [41][42]
Best Independent Pop Album or EP Won
Stella Donnelly Breakthrough Independent Artist Nominated

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".[43]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 "Boys Will Be Boys" Song of the Year Shortlisted [44]
2020 "Old Man" Song of the Year Shortlisted [45]

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Herself Unearthed Artist of the Year Won [46]
2019 Beware of the Dogs Australian Album of the Year Nominated [47]

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Herself Live Voice of the Year Nominated [48][49]
Best New Act of the Year Nominated
Best Live Voice of the Year – People's Choice Won
West Australian Live Voice of the Year Won
2018 Herself Live Voice of the Year Won [50][51]
Live Pop Act of the Year Nominated
International Live Achievement (Solo) Nominated
Best Live Voice of the Year – People's Choice Nominated
West Australian Live Voice of the Year Won
West Australian Live Act of the Year Won
2019 Herself Live Voice of the Year Nominated [52][53]
Live Guitarist of the Year Nominated
International Live Achievement (Solo) Won
2020 Herself Live Voice of the Year Nominated [54]
West Australian Live Act of the Year Nominated

WAM Song of the Year

The WAM Song of the Year was formed by the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association Inc. (WARMIA) in 1985, with its main aim to develop and run annual awards recognising achievements within the music industry in Western Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only) Ref.
2017/18 "Boys Will Be Boys" Pop Song of the Year Won [55]
Grand Prize Won
2018/19 "They Need Us" (by Feels) Electronic Song of the Year Won [56]

West Australian Music Industry Awards

The Western Australian Music Industry Awards (commonly known as WAMis) are annual awards presented to the local contemporary music industry, put on by the Western Australian Music Industry Association Inc (WAM).

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only) Ref.
2017 Herself Best Female Vocalist Won [57]
Most Popular New Act Won
Best Folk Act Won
Thrush Metal Best EP Won
"Mechanical Bull" Best Single Won
2019 Herself Best Pop Act Won [58]
Beware of the Dogs Best Album Won

Nominated

References
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