Teaming up: Stella Donnelly and Alex The Astronaut on their musical friendship
May 3rd 2018
Hannah Galvin
- Stella Donnelly & Alex The Astronaut :: Interview on Lunch with Maia Bilyk
In the midst of their co-headlining tour, musical pals Stella Donnelly and Alex The Astronaut had a heart-to-heart with Maia Bilyk on Lunch before their second Oxford Art Factory show.
Perth’s Stella Donnelly and local gal Alex The Astronaut are fast making themselves known as important figures in Australian music. Fighting a male dominated industry with their personable artistry and warming stage demeanour, these two talented story-tellers have earned a huge army of compelled ears.
Meeting for the first time at Bigsound 2017, the women found themselves in awe watching one another perform live. With the added convenience of having chummy managers, Stella and Alex’s friendship too blossomed, and recently took the pair on a 14-date co-headlining tour around the country.
Hanging out with Maia Bilyk during Lunch a few hours before their second Sydney show, Alex let us in on the comfort of having a fellow singer-songwriter on the road.
“It’s lovely to have someone else on tour who knows exactly what you’re going through. It feels like we’re standing together rather than anything else; it makes you feel stronger.”
Being at the forefront of the the local scene and the ever-need for gender equality, Stella called out bookers’ “there’s only room for one of you” trend when it comes to putting female talent on the bill.
“I hate that shit so much. I think we need more space for us all to be up there together, and work together with men and women.”
Hear, hear. Dive into the full chat to learn of Stella’s love for Billy Bragg and the impulses that Alex’s impulsion to express moments through song.
Listen back to the full show on Lunch with Maia Bilyk here.