Stella Donnelly announced as Downtown’s first Aussie signing

Singer-songwriter Stella Donnelly has just inked a worldwide deal with Downtown Music Publishing.

The news comes after Donnelly received WAM’s Song of the Year for her powerful single ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ last week.

Her impressive list of accolades doesn’t stop there, having taken out BIGSOUND’s inaugural Levi’s Music Prize for Most Outstanding Talent and been named triple j’s Unearthed Artist of the Year.

She was also nominated for Best Independent Artist and Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year for the AIR Awards.

Donnelly says of the signing: “I’m so pleased to be signing a world deal with Downtown Publishing and also to be the first of many artists that represent the Australian base that the amazing Rachel Kelly has opened with her great world team around her.

It’s been a pleasure meeting everyone already, exciting times ahead!”

“Stella Donnelly is a culturally important artist and part of the next wave of storytellers,” said Rachel Kelly, who is the creative director and head of sync at Downtown’s ANZ operation.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be supporting Stella in this phase of her career.

“Being our first signing in Australia, this moment is particularly special. I look forward to working with our team on this debut album and watching her star rise on the global stage.”

Expanding globally, Downtown opened in Sydney last February and will sign and develop local artists, songwriters and producers as well as collect songwriting royalties, expanding Downtown’s catalogue across Australia and New Zealand.

Established in 2007 and based in New York, the rights-management firm has offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Paris and Amsterdam.