Teenage Joans Explained

Teenage Joans
Origin:Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Current Members:
  • Tahlia Borg
  • Cahli Blakers
Years Active:2018–present

Teenage Joans are an Australian indie rock and punk rock duo from Adelaide, South Australia, who formed in 2018. The duo consists of vocalist and drummer Tahlia Borg and vocalist and guitarist Cahli Blakers.

The duo rose to prominence with their debut single "By the Way". Their second single, "Three Leaf Clover", was released in March 2020 and became the winning song of Triple J's 2020 Unearthed High competition. Their debut extended play, Taste of Me, was released on 28 May 2021. They released their debut studio album, The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest, in October 2023, and an accompanying short film in 2024.

The duo have been the recipients of multiple awards, winning South Australian Live Act of the Year at the 2019 National Live Music Awards, and six awards at the 2021 South Australian Music Awards, including Best Group, Best New Artist, Best Punk Artist, Best Release (for Taste of Me), Best Cover Art and Best Song (for "Something About Being Sixteen").

Career

2018–2020: Formation and "By the Way"

The pair met in 2018 when introduced by a mutual friend at Northern Sound Systems when Blakers was searching for a band-mate. At the time of their music releasing, Borg attended Gleeson College, making the band eligible for the Unearthed High competition, which they went on to win. They performed at Laneway Festival and A Day of Clarity in 2019.[1]

2021–2022: Taste of Me

On 14 January 2021, Teenage Joans released "Something About Being Sixteen", the lead single from their debut extended play.[2] On 26 March, the duo released the single "Ice Cream", and announced their forthcoming debut EP, Taste of Me.[3] On 27 May, they released the single "Wine".[4] Taste of Me was released on 28 May 2021. Taste of Me received positive reviews, and was included in Australian music publication The Musics mid-year list of their top 25 albums of the year to date.[5] On 19 November, the duo were announced as the recipients of seven awards at the 2021 South Australian Music Awards. On 6 March 2022, the duo were announced to support Foo Fighters alongside the Chats on the Australian leg of their upcoming tour,[6] before all tour dates were cancelled following the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.[7] On 29 April, they release the single "Terrible" and announced that they had signed to record label Domestic La La, run by James Tidswell of Violent Soho.[8]

2023–present: The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest

On 2 May 2023, Teenage Joans returned with their first new song since early 2022. "Superglue" was released alongside a music video,[9] followed by "Candy Apple" on 10 August 2023.[10] That same day, the band announced their debut studio album, The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest, would be releasing on 13 October 2023 as their first album release with Domestic La La.[10]

In 2024, the band released their debut short film, a visual accompaniment for The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest. It was directed by Jamie Al Kayyali and stars the duo playing fictionalised versions of themselves. They held premiere screenings in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.[11]

Artistry

Musical style and influences

Musically, Teenage Joans are an indie rock,[12] pop, punk rock,[13] and rock band, with the duo self-describing their sound as "juicebox punk-pop".[14] They list Waax, Camp Cope, and Sophie Hopes of Tired Lion as musical influences.[15] The duo have stated that they intend for their music to reflect a more modern take on the punk music made popular by Blink-182 and Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Songwriting and lyrical themes

Teenage Joans say their lyrics "feel nostalgic and feel like [something] you could consume as a young person, but also have a heavier kind of meaning that people can relate to," with frontwoman and guitarist Cahli Blakers stating that one of their favourite things to do when writing is "juxtaposing serious topics using childlike metaphors in order to get the point across in a different way."[16]

Band members

Current members

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Album detailsPeak chart
positions
AUS
[18]
The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest
  • Released: 13 October 2023
  • Label: Domestic La La
59

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details! Title! Details
Taste of Me
  • Released: 28 May 2021
  • Label: Teenage Joans

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="1"
YearAlbum
"By the Way"[19] 2019rowspan="2"
"Three Leaf Clover"[20] 2020
"Something About Being Sixteen"2021Taste of Me
"Ice Cream"
"Wine"
"Terrible"2022
"Superglue"[21] 2023The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest
"Candy Apple"[22]
"5 Things I Can Taste"[23]
"Girl from the Record Shop"
(with Frank Turner)[24]
2024Undefeated

Filmography

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.! |-| 2022| Teenage Joans| Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year| | [25] [26] |-| rowspan="2"| 2024| The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest| Best Independent Punk Album or EP| | rowspan="2"| [27] |-| Janine Morcos for Teenage Joans The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest| Independent Publicity Team of the Year|

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.! |-! scope="row"| 2021| Themselves| Unearthed Artist of the Year| | [28] [29] |}

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognize contributions to the live music industry in Australia.! |-! scope="row"| 2019| Themselves| South Australian Live Act of the Year| | [30] |-! scope="row"| 2023| Themselves| Best Live Act in SA | | [31] |}

South Australian Music Awards

The South Australian Music Awards (previously known as the Fowler's Live Music Awards) are annual awards that exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry. They commenced in 2012.[32] ! |-| rowspan="7"| 2021| rowspan="3"| Teenage Joans| Best Group | | rowspan="7"| [33] |- | Best New Artist| |- | Best Punk Artist| |-| rowspan="2"| Taste of Me| Best Release| |-| Best Cover Art| |-| "Something About Being Sixteen"| Best Song| |-| Themselves| City of Adelaide Exceptional Live Performance Award| |}

Triple J Unearthed High

! |-! scope="row"| 2020| Themselves| Unearthed High Competition| | [34] |}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet Teenage Joans, the Unearthed High finalists and Adelaide best mates slash garage rock dream team . . 31 August 2020 . 10 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925024714/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/meet-teenage-joans-unearthed-high-2020-finalist/12612782/ . 25 September 2020 . live.
  2. Web site: Teenage Joans drop energetic new track "Something About Being Sixteen" . . 14 January 2021 . 15 January 2021 . Bruce, Jasper . https://web.archive.org/web/20210114054552/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/teenage-joans-drop-energetic-new-track-something-about-being-sixteen-2856365/ . 14 January 2021 . live.
  3. Web site: Teenage Joans announce debut EP, share sweet new track "Ice Cream" . . 25 March 2021 . 9 April 2021 . Bruce, Jasper . https://web.archive.org/web/20210325235348/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/teenage-joans-announce-debut-ep-share-sweet-new-track-ice-cream-2908194/ . 25 March 2021 . live.
  4. Web site: Wine – Single by Teenage Joans on Apple Music . . 28 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210527233047/https://music.apple.com/au/album/wine-single/1562812142/ . 27 May 2021 . live.
  5. Web site: Are these the best albums of 2021 so far? . . 1 July 2021 . 17 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210701062453/https://themusic.com.au/news/top-25-albums-2021-so-far/xLLc1tnY29o/01-07-21/ . 1 July 2021 . live.
  6. Web site: Foo Fighters confirm 2022 Australia and New Zealand stadium tour . . 6 March 2022 . 8 April 2022 . Daly, Rhian . https://web.archive.org/web/20220408085634/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/foo-fighters-confirm-2022-australia-new-zealand-stadium-tour-3176554 . 8 April 2022 . live.
  7. Web site: Foo Fighters cancel Australia and New Zealand stadium tour . . 30 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . Lochrie, Conor . https://web.archive.org/web/20220408084706/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/foo-fighters-australia-new-zealand-tour-2022-37743/ . 8 April 2022 . live.
  8. Web site: Teenage Joans usher in a punchy new era with "Terrible", Domestic La La signing . . 29 April 2022 . 29 April 2022 . Doria, Matt . https://web.archive.org/web/20220429003857/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/teenage-joans-usher-in-a-punchy-new-era-with-terrible-domestic-la-la-signing-3215002/ . 29 April 2022 . live.
  9. Web site: 5 May 2023 . Teenage Joans Release New Track 'Superglue' . 8 May 2023 . Heavy Mag.
  10. Web site: Varvaris . Mary . 10 August 2023 . Teenage Joans Announce Debut Album 'The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest' . 10 August 2023 . The Music . en.
  11. Web site: Young . David James . 19 January 2024 . Teenage Joans Announce Premiere Screenings For Debut Short Film . 14 April 2024 . Music Feeds.
  12. Web site: Teenage Joans on Triple J Unearthed . . 29 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210409002607/https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/teenage-joans/ . 9 April 2021 . live.
  13. Web site: Skujins, Angela . 7 November 2019 . Teenage Joans: How growing pains made two punk teens supreme . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191107005649/https://citymag.indaily.com.au/culture/teenage-joans-how-growing-pains-made-two-punk-teens-supreme/ . 7 November 2019 . 7 February 2021 . CityMag.
  14. Web site: Juice box punk-pop vibes . . 30 November 2020 . 8 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210120092252/https://www.playford.sa.gov.au/explore/playford-news/festive-playford-juice-box-punk-pop-vibes/ . 20 January 2021 . live.
  15. Web site: Teenage Joans: Adelaide juice-box punk-pop duo on a mission of inclusivity . . 17 February 2021 . 9 April 2021 . Carr, Debbie . https://web.archive.org/web/20210217040132/https://www.nme.com/en_au/features/teenage-joans-interview-adelaide-juice-box-punk-pop-duo-inclusivity-2882187/ . 17 February 2021 . live.
  16. Web site: Teenage Joans share new single, "Ice Cream", announce debut EP . . 26 March 2021 . 13 April 2021 . Jenke, Tyler . https://web.archive.org/web/20210326000826/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/teenage-joans-new-single-ice-cream-24522/ . 26 March 2021 . live.
  17. Web site: Baker, Rebecca . 10 September 2020 . SA teen pop-punk duo wins Triple J's national comp . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210529043148/https://insight.adsrvr.org/track/up?adv=vrges6n&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fsubscribe%2Fnews%2F1%2F%3FsourceCode%3DAAWEB_WRE170_a%26dest%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%252Fentertainment%252Ftriple-js-unearthed-high-won-by-adelaides-teenage-joans%252Fnews-story%252Ff9e87facbfc591cef6b4943068faeddd%26memtype%3Danonymous%26mode%3Dpremium%26v21suffix%3D414-b&upid=ppd0qwm&upv=1.1.0 . 29 May 2021 . 29 May 2021 . AdelaideNow.
  18. 23 October 2023 . The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 23 October 2023 . The ARIA Report . . 6 . 1755.
  19. Web site: By the Way – Single by Teenage Joans on Apple Music . . 19 November 2019 . 29 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210409002247/https://music.apple.com/au/album/by-the-way-single/1485564424/ . 9 April 2021 . live.
  20. Web site: Three Leaf Clover – Single by Teenage Joans on Apple Music . . 26 March 2020 . 29 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210409002445/https://music.apple.com/au/album/three-leaf-clover-single/1501888150/ . 9 April 2021 . live.
  21. Web site: TEENAGE JOANS Release New Track 'Superglue'. Heavy Mag. 5 May 2023. 8 May 2023.
  22. Web site: Varvaris . Mary . Teenage Joans Announce Debut Album 'The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest' . The Music . 9 August 2023.
  23. Web site: TEENAGE JOANS Unveil New Track '5 Things I Can Taste'. Heavy Mag. 22 September 2023. 22 September 2023.
  24. Web site: Frank Turner Links Up With One Of His Favourite Newer Bands, Teenage Joans . The Music. 19 April 2024. 19 April 2024.
  25. Web site: Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022. musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. 1 June 2022.
  26. Web site: Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards. MusicFeeds. 5 August 2022. 6 August 2022. Tyler Jenke.
  27. Web site: 2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More. The Music. 14 May 2024. 16 May 2024.
  28. Web site: Triple j reveals J Awards nominees. The Music Network. 1 November 2021. 1 November 2021. Kelly, Vivienne.
  29. Web site: Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners. Triple J. 18 November 2021. 20 November 2021.
  30. Web site: And the winners of the 2019 National Live Music Awards are... . . 5 December 2019 . 10 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200301215729/https://www.nlmas.com.au/2019/12/05/and-the-winners-of-the-2019-national-live-music-awards-are/ . 1 March 2020 . live.
  31. Web site: Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards. The Music. 5 September 2023. 11 September 2023.
  32. Web site: Past Winners . . 29 March 2021 . 14 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314205854/https://southaustralianmusicawards.com.au/about/past-winners/ . dead .
  33. Web site: South Australian Music Awards 2021 Winners . Scenestr . 19 November 2021 . 23 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120015214/https://scenestr.com.au/music/south-australian-music-awards-2021-winners-20211119 . 20 November 2021 . live.
  34. Web site: Teenage Joans wins Unearthed High 2020! . . 9 September 2020 . 10 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200913154746/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/unearthed-high-winner-2020/12642188/ . 13 September 2020 . live.