Stella and the Very Messed

Austin’s Stella and the Very Messed make smart, sly, and deeply personal indie pop-rock that refuses to fit in any one box. Led by vocalist/lyricist Stella Maxwell and bassist/co-writer David Hawkins (both ex-Cruiserweight), the band blends sharp hooks, lush melodies, and offbeat humor into a sound equal parts ‘90s alt-rock and modern indie. Think Veruca Salt meets XTC with flashes of Paramore and Squeeze. Built from Austin punk and indie scene veterans — Maxwell, Hawkins, Chris Nine (Schatzi, Tender Wolf), Mohadev (Stop Motion Orchestra), and Sam Rich (Black Books, Broken Gold) — Stella and the Very Messed have earned acclaim and airplay from KUTX, packed shows at venues like The Long Center and Circuit of the Americas, and a reputation as one of Austin’s most exuberant live bands.