Sizing Up: Stella Donnelly on playing four BIGSOUND showcases in three days

Perth singer-songwriter Stella Donnelly is a member of Perth scene stalwarts like BOAT SHOW and Bells Rapids, but it’s her solo debut EP Thrush Metal has been making serious waves since its release in April. It sold out five cassette runs, and is already locked in on some high-profile best-of lists; its first single, the acerbic and elliptical ’Mechanical Bull’, has over 400,000 Spotify streams, and the devastating new single ’Boys Will Be Boys’ is currently sitting on Unearthed with five-star reviews from senior triple j staff including Zan Rowe, Dom Alessio and Nick Findlay.

Ahead of her highly anticipated appearances at BIGSOUND, as well as a run of shows and support sets around the country, Donnelly filled TMN in on how she’ll be navigating playing four sets in three days, the Brisbane noodle spot she’s keen to try, and the Spotify stat that sent her into hysterics.

When did you first decide you wanted to be a musician? 

I have played music since I was a little kid but I think that the moment I made any sort of decision was at 15 when my Dad took my friends and I to West Coast Blues and Roots Festival. From then on I was obsessed with playing songs.

How long have you been doing it in your current incarnation?

As the whole solo-with-guitar thing? About two years now.

What’s made the biggest difference for you – the biggest bit of luck or hard work or serendipity or support from a community that’s given you that crucial bump?

Honestly, my amazing housemates, my amazing family, my amazing boyfriend Jordan Shakespeare who engineered and produced the EP, and the Perth music scene for letting me play shows.  

The Thrush Metal cassette has sold out five times over on Bandcamp and you have nearly half a million streams on Spotify – how do you feel about the response to the EP?

Absolutely speechless. I actually laughed my head off when I found out about the Spotify thing. I was so shocked. 

You have some pretty impressive representation here and overseas now – how has that changed your life as a working muso?

I’m much more organised now! I check my emails, and check my spam folder... still forget to check my letterbox in real life but it’s a work in progress.

Do you have a day job you have to take time off from?

I have been working heaps in a cafe, where my boss is so kind to let me keep my job! Thanks Allan!

It’s so hard for me to imagine going on tour and people listening to my music when I’m taking a ’long black with a dash of milk’ order!

You’re playing two solo sets as well as two with Boat Show, which means two sets on one of the nights! How are you feeling about that? How are you planning to look after your voice?

So sometimes when I finish a gig I get a huge burst of adrenalin afterwards and I want to do it all over again – this time I’ll actually get to do that! 

Licorice tea really helps with singing apparently so I’m going to trial that for the tour and BIGSOUND.

Which other acts will you be making time to catch?

Other than all of my loves from Perth, I’m hoping to catch Body Type, Good Morning and Body Type!

You’re a known noodle enthusiast – has anyone recommended somewhere for good ramen or other quality noods in Brisbane?

I am so lucky to know the crew from Queensland band Major Leagues, who have recommended that I try Fat Noodle and Quan Thanh.

What’s next after BIGSOUND?

I have a bunch of gigs back in Perth and then back over East in November and also to record the next clump of songs that I’ve written. 

Upcoming tour dates: