ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT
Welcome to my Electronic Press Kit (EPK). Here you’ll find artist biographies (for in detail bio, click the home page above), discography, past festival appearances, press quotes, stage plots, and high-resolution photos — all designed to help you get to know my music and live performance style.
Stella Anning, Yellow Brick Veneer – Stella’s first Singer/Songwriter Album After Releasing Two Instrumental Albums as Guitarist and Bandleader
“The album is a collection of songs that began during lockdown, a time that coincided with my journey into motherhood. In the quiet solitude of pregnancy and childbirth during this period, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my past and envisioning the future I hoped for both myself, my child and my community. This experience made me want to write words, to be able to communicate directly with my audience and engage with them in a more personal and meaningful way from my previous instrumental albums. Since then, many other challenges have emerged that also made it onto the album. Each song unveils a facet of the human journey, inviting listeners to navigate life's intricacies with openness.”
Stella’s Evolving Sound
As a guitarist, composer, and performer, Stella Anning is celebrated for her technical skill and innovative approach to music. Recognised as part of Naarm/Melbourne’s new wave of jazz, Stella’s newest album ventures into new territory, combining her extensive musical foundation with an intimate, singer-songwriter style that reflects her personal journey as a mother and advocate. “This album reflects where I’ve come from and where I’m going,” she says.
“Yellow Brick Veneer stands as the fullest portrait yet of Stella Anning: guitarist, singer, songwriter, mother, and ever-curious musician.” - Greg Phillips, The Australian
“Mesmerising rolling drums, stabby yet psych-drenched guitar licks, and spirited, twinkling keys provide a noodling escapism to drift away that's locked together by the honey-smooth bass tones that provide a sonic sweetener.” - Gareth Bryant, Scenestr
Performance Offerings
Solo Concert Set – Grounded in jazz and rich with lyrical storytelling, Stella’s solo performances weave voice, guitar, and reflection into intimate, emotive soundscapes.
Full Band Set – A rich, high-energy performance weaving jazz, soul, and folk influences. Featuring electric guitar, keys, rhythm section, and heartfelt vocals, the full band expands Stella’s songs into lush, expressive soundscapes — ideal for main stages, festival audiences, and immersive listening experiences.
Guitar Trio (STAT) Set – A tight, guitar-driven ensemble exploring the spaces between jazz, soul, and blues. Centered on groove and improvisation, Stella’s trio delivers raw, rhythm-forward interplay and fiery guitar work — for listeners who like their jazz a little dirty, deep, and dynamic.
Workshop: Writing your authentic story – A reflective session exploring songwriting, creative flow, and self-trust — guiding participants to uncover authentic stories through music.
Workshop: Guitar lessons – for various groups of levels, from beginner to advanced, from how to play simple chords over a song, to how to get the most out of your improvising and soloing, plus how to connect to the musicians in your band.
Forum: Motherhood & Creative Transformation – An open discussion on the ways motherhood redefines creative identity, practice, and leadership in the contemporary arts landscape.
Detailed descriptions available upon request through the contact page.
Biographies
Short Bio: Grounded in jazz, Stella Anning creates emotive soundscapes, where folk sensitivity and soulful groove meet deeply personal narrative.
Medium Bio: Building on her jazz roots, Stella Anning expands her musical horizons by weaving in singer/songwriter sensibilities. A captivating blend of jazz, soul, and folk influences, embodying the rich diversity of Naarm/Melbourne's vibrant artistic community. With heartfelt, emotive storytelling and engaging soundscapes.
STAT Bio: Led by guitarist and composer Stella Anning, STAT blends electric grit with jazz-school sensibilities, wrapping tight rhythm section interplay in a wash of vintage tones and soulful spontaneity. Since their 2022 debut EP, the trio have carved out their own niche with a loyal following and standout performances at Melbourne International Jazz Festival (2023), Northcote RISE Festival (2024), Castlemaine Jazz Festival (2024), Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival (2022), plus shows in Sydney, Perth, and countless Naarm venues.
Long Bio: Stella Anning is a Naarm-based guitarist, singer/songwriter and composer whose genre-crossing sound draws from jazz, neo-soul, and folk traditions. With roots in jazz and a foundation in improvisation, her work explores deeply personal storytelling through song, reflecting Naarm/Melbourne’s rich and diverse artistic community. Her influences span from guitarists Bill Frisell and Marc Ribot, to her favourite vocalist/songwriter influences, from Esperanza Spalding and Brittany Howard to Adrianne Lenker, resulting in music that is emotive, raw, and resonant.
In 2025, Stella completed two East Coast tours and performed at major festivals including the Clarence Jazz Festival, Folk Rhythm and Life, Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival and Fusion on Fitzroy St. She is a regular collaborator with artists such as John Flanagan, Sal Kimber, ISEULA, AXIS (Xani Colac) and Laura Ingram, and is also the resident guitarist and a composer with the Jazzlab Orchestra.
Recent career highlights include a Banff Jazz and Sonic Arts residency under the mentorship of Shabaka Hutchings and Ganavya, a mentorship with Aaron Choulai through the Australian Art Orchestra, and performances at Bluesfest, the National Folk Festival, and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Part of a new generation of jazz artists, Stella’s work is evolving in tandem with her life. Motherhood has opened new creative pathways, leading her to embrace songwriting and the expressive power of her own voice—expanding on decades of musicianship to forge a sound that is both grounded and exploratory.
Festival Appearances
• The National Folk Festival - 2025, 2023 (John Flanagan)
• Folk, Rhythm and Life - 2025, 2024 (Stella Anning, John Flanagan, Don’t Sweat The Techniques)
• CresFest – 2023 (John Flanagan)
• Bluesfest - 2024 (Women of Soul)
• Dashville Skyline - 2024 (John Flanagan)
• Melbourne International Jazz Festival - 2025, 2023 (AXIS and STAT)
• Clarence Jazz Festival (TAS) - 2025, 2024 (Stella Anning)
• Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival – 2016, 2018
• Echuca Blues Festival - 2024, 2023 (ISEULA)
• Fusion on Fitzroy Street - 2025 (Stella Anning)
• Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival - 2025, 2023, 2021 (Stella Anning, STAT)
• Castlemaine Jazz Festival - 2024 (Stella Anning)
• Blues on Broadbeach - 2022 (Bitches Brew)
• Brunswick Music Festival - 2025, 2019 (AXIS, Thndo)
