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.
Early life
Born in Western Australia to a Welsh mother,[1] she spent some childhood years in Morriston, Wales before moving to Perth, Australia 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: Thrush Metal and Beware of the Dogs
Donnelly performing in 2017
In 2017, while working two hospitality jobs and playing in a band, Donnelly released a collection of five demo tracks which formed her debut extended play (EP), Thrush Metal.[5] It was released digitally and on cassette via Melbourne label Healthy Tapes.[6][7] In 2018, the EP was reissued in the United States by the American label Secretly Canadian.[8][9][10]
Donnelly released her debut studio album, Beware of the Dogs, on 8 March 2019 via Secretly Canadian.[11] It received widespread acclaim from critics,[12] including Robert Christgau, who praised it as a "musical encyclopedia of [male] assholes".[13]
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Beware of the Dogs was nominated for Breakthrough Artist.[14] In October 2019, Donnelly was placed at number six in Happy Mag's list of the 15 Australian female artists "changing the game".[15]
2022–present: Flood
In January 2022, Donnelly provided vocals for "Proof", a single from Methyl Ethel's fourth studio album Are You Haunted?[16] She also featured on ReWiggled, a 2022 tribute album to Australian children's music group the Wiggles, covering their song "Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride".[17]
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.[18] 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.[19]
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.[20][21] 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."[20]
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.
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.[citation needed]
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.
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).
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