Stella Donnelly

Born in Western Australia to a Welsh mother,^[1] she spent some childhood years in Morriston, Wales before moving to Perth, Western 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]

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]

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 2022, 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 a tour around the United Kingdom, Europe and North America that began in September.^[19]

On 11 September 2025, Stella Donnelly announced her third studio album Love and Fortune was set for release on 7 November 2025 via Dot Dash Recordings / Remote Control.^[20] She also released the single "Feel It Change".^[20]

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.^[21][22] 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."^[21]

Donnelly describes Billy Bragg and Courtney Barnett as musical influences.^[5]

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,^[23][24] was dubbed a "#MeToo anthem".^[23][24]

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."^[23] Donnelly supports same-sex marriage, and was "relieved", when it was legalised in Australia in 2017. Donnelly is pro-choice.^[23]