For much of her career, Melbourne guitarist Stella Anning has been known for her command of six strings, whether through her trio projects or her side work. But on her new album Yellow Brick Veneer (out September 3), Anning steps forward in a way she never imagined she would: as a singer-songwriter.
“I’ve always sung, mostly backing vocals for other people,” she explains, “but I never really wanted to write songs. That all changed during lockdown and after having a baby. Suddenly, I wanted to put words to the music. It was a strange transition to become a singer later in life — I’ve always identified as a guitarist first.”
In this pre-album release interview with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips, Stella Anning discusses her upcoming album “Yellow Brick Veneer” (out September 3) and its recording process with collaborator Joshua Barber, including her musical influences and the album’s themes reflecting personal milestones. She shares details about her background in jazz and blues, as well as her experiences in the Melbourne jazz scene, while explaining her guitar setup and vocal influences. Stella concludes by outlining her upcoming tour dates and album release plans for September, along with her future plans to focus on solo and trio projects.
Photos by Wayne Gunn. Studio 150
A New Creative Chapter
The album marks a turning point in Anning’s artistic journey, blending her jazz training with a love of blues, R&B, folk and soul. Listeners will hear shades of George Benson, Bill Frisell, and Esperanza Spalding, but filtered through her distinctly Melbourne lens.
Her upbringing was eclectic — Prince and Crowded House from her dad, R&B from her own explorations, and jazz discovered after transferring to Blackburn High, where the school’s legendary big band ignited her passion. That path eventually led her through tertiary jazz studies at Monash University and deep involvement in the local scene, including the Jazzlab Orchestra.
“I think Melbourne jazz has its own sound — very listening-based, often influenced by folk,” she says. “That definitely shaped tracks like It Will Only Break You, which for me is less jazz and more contemporary Australian songwriting.”
The House that Built the Record
The album’s title track, Yellow Brick Veneer, is both literal and symbolic. During lockdown, Anning and her partner bought their first home, a modest yellow brick veneer house on Melbourne’s fringe.
“It’s not the most glamorous house,” she laughs, “but it’s where we built our family, where we had time to reflect during lockdown. It felt like the building blocks for both life and this album. So it had to be the title.”
Recorded at Joshua Barber’s converted church studio in regional Victoria, the sessions aimed to capture the warmth of live performance rather than polish things into perfection. “Some tracks I sang and played at the same time — just one take. I didn’t want it too produced. Josh gave me the confidence to trust my ideas.”
The band includes longtime collaborator Richard Rose on bass and pianist Selene Messinis, whose piano work shines on Not Good Enough. “She’s just incredible. I gave her a loose concept for the intro and she took it somewhere beautiful,” Anning says. Messinis has since gone on to receive the Melbourne International Jazz Festival’s prestigious Take Note grant.
Guitarist First, Singer Too
Though vocals are a new focus, guitar remains at the heart of the record. Anning’s trusty Bacchus Tele-style is all over the album, paired with a Blues Junior amp and a pedalboard anchored by the cult Kiwi-made Hot Cake overdrive. Acoustic moments, like When the Trees Are Moving But the World Is Still, were captured with her old Maton in front of a roaring fireplace — its crackle audible in the final mix.
Her solos are mostly improvised, a nod to her jazz roots. “I might have a vibe in mind, but it’s about capturing the moment. That keeps it alive.”
Tour and Beyond
To launch Yellow Brick Veneer, Anning is touring with her four-piece band throughout September and October, including shows at Smith’s Alternative (Canberra), The Horses (Nowra), Monday Night Confessions (Sydney), and Melbourne’s Shotkickers. Early 2026 will see the group hit Adelaide’s COMA series and a run of Tasmanian dates including MONA. Regional solo shows are also planned.
Looking ahead, she’s equally excited about exploring her guitar trio roots and recording solo. “I love the intimacy of solo touring — it opens up regional opportunities that aren’t always possible with a full band. But I also can’t let go of the trio format. I’ve even started researching the role of the guitar in the trio for a possible Masters project.”
For now though, Yellow Brick Veneer stands as the fullest portrait yet of Stella Anning: guitarist, singer, songwriter, mother, and ever-curious musician.
“It feels chaotic sometimes,” she admits, “but I love that I’ve opened myself up to all these new creative worlds. This album is the start of something.”
UPCOMING GIGS
4.30PM SATURDAY SEPT 6 (TRIO) FUSION ON FIZTROY NAARM (MELBOURNE)
ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR DATES
7PM SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER NGAMBRI & NGUNNAWAL (Canberra) SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE
3PM SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER NOWRA (NSW) EL HORSES
7PM MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER GADIGAL (Sydney) MONDAY NIGHT CONFESSIONS
3PM SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER NAARM (Melbourne) SHOTKICKERS: 3.30-4.15 Tamara Murphy and the Golden Tone Retrievers, 4.30-5.30 Stella Anning
3PM SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER TRENTHAM (VIC) COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL
7PM FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER NAARM (Melbourne) KEW COURTHOUSE LIVE
BUY YELLOW BRICK VENEER https://stellaanning.bandcamp.com/album/yellow-brick-veneer
WEBSITE: https://www.stellaanning.com/