Music Matchmaker
Keen to get stuck into the local scene but don’t know where to start? Teen Spirit has done all the heavy lifting for you, playing music matchmaker with some of the world’s biggest artists and SA’s brightest bands
Dayglow + TUSHAR
Dayglow’s sunny, chorus-laden indie music possesses a bedroom pop spirit, but somehow, his production is lo-fi and high effort at the same time. Locally, TUSHAR shares Dayglow’s vibe-focused approach to songwriting, but his fondness for a concrete groove and his voice – which is as delicate and wispy as a spider’s web – put him in a lane of his own.
Single swap: Dayglow’s ‘Can I Call You Tonight’ with TUSHAR’s ‘Sadie, Why Don’t You Love Yourself’ | Listen here
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard + Druid Fluids
King Gizzard’s discography is a maze, but over the years, they’ve consistently used psych-rock to explore different modes of storytelling. Though harmonically similar at times to King Gizz, Druid Fluids take a slower, more celestial approach to the genre, utilising ambiguity to send their listeners floating through space.
Single swap: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s ‘Sleep Drifter’ with Druid Fluid’s ‘La Rêverie’ | Listen here
Olivia Rodrigo + aleksiah
Olivia Rodrigo sharpens the edges of her pop songs with honest depictions of teenage angst and volleys of distorted guitar. aleksiah’s songs follow a similar blueprint, but her music is given greater depth because of her talent for self-reflection – her lyrics are truer to adulthood than teenage years.
Single swap: Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘bad idea, right?’ with aleksiah’s ‘Batsh*t’ | Listen here
Fontaines D.C. + Coldwave
Fontaines D.C. are a post-punk band with hints of indie-rock. They are also poets of a distinctly Irish philosophy, taking a magnifying glass to their geographically specific set of anxieties. Meanwhile, on this side of the world, Coldwave are fascinated with similarly dark tones, but their songs go in more unexpected directions, leading the listener into the eye of a storm.
Single swap: Fontaines D.C.’s ‘Too Real’ with Coldwave’s ‘Buster’ | Listen here
Ball Park Music + The Tullamarines
Ball Park Music have always been masters at striking a balance between accessibility and creativity, playing anthemic indie-rock as they walk the tightrope. The Tullamarines might just be Ball Park’s successors. The Adelaide four-piece craft earworms that’ll have you picking apart new details on your second, tenth, and fiftieth listen.
Single swap: Ball Park Music’s ‘She Only Loves Me When I’m There’ with The Tullamarines' ‘Running on Empty’ | Listen here
Turnstile + Freegolf
Baltimore punk legends Turnstile are fast, frenzied and often frustrated, which makes their music incredibly satisfying to listen to whenever you’re feeling pent up or stressed. Freegolf slow it down a little, but what they lack in velocity, they make up tenfold in aggression and cathartic singalong potential.
Single swap: Turnstile’s ‘BLACKOUT’ with Freegolf’s ‘Fite the Heart’ | Listen here
BARKAA + DEM MOB
Barkaa’s brand of hip-hop draws from a deep well of inspiration. Her samples are always surprising, while her confident vocal delivery and lyricism give the impression she belongs wherever she finds herself musically. Hailing from the APY Lands, DEM MOB have a similar fearlessness, but the interchanging voices of the three MCs add an exciting element of surprise to their tracks.
Single swap: Barkaa’s ‘King Brown’ with DEM MOB’s ‘DIP’ | Listen here
Little Simz + Elsy Wameyo
Little Simz seems to have a sixth sense for writing the most infectious grime/hip-hop in the UK right now. Her lyrics are clever and socially pointed, while her beats rely on catchy grooves that never outstay their welcome. Elsy Wameyo shares all those traits (minus being from the UK). The Kenyan- Australian rapper is capable of incredibly dynamic flows and her delivery is ferocious.
Single swap: Litle Simz’s ‘Point and Kill’ with Elsy Wameyo’s ‘Conquer’ | Listen here
Lime Cordiale + Purée
Lime Cordiale’s preferred mode of indie-rock evokes fur coats and intense shades. We’ve seen crowds unable to resist moving their hips to many of the band's tracks and the same goes for Purée – albeit on a local scale. Give it a few years, and the entire country will be dancing to this four-piece, who love a good groove but don’t shy away from moments of sincere emotional revelation.
Single swap: Lime Cordiale’s ‘Temper Temper’ with Purée’s ‘Figure It Out’ | Listen here
Violent Soho + Molly Rocket
Violent Soho are Aussie grunge royalty. For two decades, the band have been writing anthems with an attitude, pulling no punches with their portrayal of suburban Australian angst. Molly Rocket are carrying that same torch. Their brand of grunge is mischievous, grotty and punk-inspired – it’d be difficult to find a band on the local circuit having more fun.
Single swap: Violent Soho’s ‘Like Soda’ with Molly Rocket’s ‘God Damn’ | Listen here
Teen Spirit was produced in partnership between Carclew and The Note magazine, supported by the Government of South Australia via the Music Development Office (MDO), the Department for Education and Arts South Australia. Read the full magazine online here.