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. Her third, Love and Fortune, was issued in November 2025.

Early life Born in Western Australia to a Welsh mother, she spent some childhood years in Morriston, Wales before moving to Perth, Western Australia with her family.

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). Donnelly was a part of the bands Boat Show and Bell Rapids before leaving them to pursue her solo career.

Career 2017–2021: Thrush Metal and Beware of the Dogs

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. In 2018, the EP was reissued in the United States by the American label Secretly Canadian.

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

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Beware of the Dogs was nominated for Breakthrough Artist. In October 2019, Donnelly was placed at number six in Happy Mags list of the 15 Australian female artists "changing the game".

2022–2024: Flood In January 2022, Donnelly provided vocals for "Proof", a single from Methyl Ethel's fourth studio album, Are You Haunted? 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."

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. 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.

2025: Love and Fortune 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. She also released the single "Feel It Change". 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."

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,

Released: 8 March 2019 Label: Stella Donnelly (SDCD001) Secretly Canadian (SC372) Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming, cassette 15

Released: 26 August 2022

EPs +List of extended plays with details shown Title Details Thrush Metal Released: 6 April 2017 Label: Healthy Tapes (HT026) Formats: CD, 12" LP, digital download, streaming

Singles "Boys Will Be Boys" is also included on Beware of the Dogs. 2018 "Old Man" 2019 Beware of the Dogs "Lunch" "Tricks" "Die" "Season's Greetings" "Love Is in the Air" 2020 "If I Could Cry (It Would Feel Like This)" 2021 "Lungs" 2022 Flood "Flood" "How Was Your Day?" "Baths" / "Standing Ovation" 2025 Love and Fortune "Feel It Change" "Laying Low"