Stella Donnelly on Cherry Blossoms, Passion, and 『Love and Fortune』

Last Updated on 2026-04-26 by a-indie

Perth as Foundation

The Politics and the Sound That Perth Produced

-Yuuki Takita: Growing up in Perth, how do you think that shaped who you are and your musical style? I ask because I put similar questions to other Australian artists. Hazel English told me that growing up near the beach gave her a beautiful environment to explore her creativity, and Hatchie said Melbourne’s busy live music scene fed her music directly.

Stella: In my case, I think it was the music in our household. My parents listened to a lot of politically charged music: Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Yothu Yindi, bands that spoke about the difficult side of Australia. Growing up in a place as beautiful as Perth, I was also being taught, through my parents and through the music they played, that life was not easy for all Australians, and that mining companies and racist politicians had done a great deal of harm. I think that anger found its way into my lyrics. But Perth itself is surrounded by nature and beaches, and that beauty shaped the sound. So it ends up being this combination: politically charged, angry words over something that sounds, in some ways, pretty.

Three Albums That Shaped Her

Musical Roots: Three Records and the Stories Behind Them

-Yuuki Takita: Our media cares deeply about an artist’s roots, the background behind the music, and the records that shaped them. If you were to name three albums that influenced you, what would they be?

Stella: First, 『Workers Playtime』 by Billy Bragg. He is English, which is a funny connection given what we were just talking about, but he manages to combine political songs with love songs in a way that I find remarkable. I heard that as a very young child. Second, 『Tender Buttons』 by Broadcast. I heard that around the age of twenty-four, and it was the first time I encountered sounds that felt ugly and uncomfortable and found them genuinely beautiful. That contrast completely captivated me. Third, Paul Kelly. My dad had a greatest hits compilation at home, which I find a little embarrassing to admit, but that is what we grew up listening to. He is such a gifted storyteller, and one who tells distinctly Australian stories.

Passion and Distance

What It Means to Step Away

-Yuuki Takita: Moving on to the new record: before making 『Love and Fortune』, you stepped away from music for a period, and I believe something similar happened before 『Flood』 as well. Has stepping away become a kind of ritual in your creative process? Was it a deliberate choice to protect your passion, or something that became necessary?

Stella: The break before 『Flood』 was largely because of COVID, so in some ways it was forced on me. But I was grateful for it. This time was different. I had been touring so heavily that every time I tried to write, the songs were simply not good. I knew that if I wanted to make another album, I had to stop touring. So I got a job at a bakery and went back to a very ordinary, ritualistic daily life. After that, I found I had so much to write about. In fact, I have already written about half of the next album. 『Love and Fortune』 is a very quiet, sad record, and while I was mixing it I started writing different songs because I needed a different energy. I think the next one will not be quite so heavy.

Reclaiming Passion

-Yuuki Takita: I want to mention something personal. A friend of mine who works in music journalism told me recently that he has been losing his passion for music. I was not sure what to say to him. Part of why I asked about your break was because I wanted him to read your answer.

Stella: For me, the moment I decided it was okay not to make money from music, the moment I separated those two things, my passion came back. I put the music and the creating first, and if I need to make a living in other ways, I get a job and do that. If it means working nine to five and making music at night, I would take that over trying to combine the two again. When passion gets tangled up with money, things get murky.