[2] Donnelly first started singing when she joined a rock band in high school (Irene McCormack Catholic College), that performed Green Day covers.

After high school, Donnelly studied contemporary and jazz music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

[3] Donnelly was a part of the bands Boat Show and Bell Rapids before leaving them to pursue her solo career.

[11] It received widespread acclaim from critics,[12] including Robert Christgau, who praised it as a "musical encyclopedia of [male] assholes".

[14] In October 2019, Donnelly was placed at number six in Happy Mag's list of the 15 Australian female artists "changing the game".

[15] In January 2022, Donnelly provided vocals for "Proof", a single from Methyl Ethel's fourth studio album Are You Haunted?

Following the release of the album, Donnelly embarked on an international tour around the United Kingdom, Europe and North America that began in September.