INTERVIEW: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers on the challenges of growing up
Photo by Ruby Boland
Channelling Riot Grrrl-era energy with a 2021 spin, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are the most natural, unapologetic and damn likeable punk-rockers you’ll meet and boy have they had a MAMMOTH year.
Forming during high school in their hometown of Canberra, Teen Jesus burst onto the scene in 2019 and quickly snapped attention for their teenage ragamuffin image and searingly good garage punk sound. The band are at the forefront of an all new Australian rock sound, capturing the struggle and confusion of teenagers going through pre-adult realness with the life that comes with finishing high school.
The band is showing no signs of slowing down after a huge 2021, having most recently signed to Unified Music Group’s Domestic La La, working with Violent Soho’s James Tidswell and fresh off the announcement of their national tour in February 2022 in support of their latest girl-powered goodness track ‘Miss Your Birthday’.
Our newest writer Gabi Bowes was lucky enough to have a chat to the punk-ass four-piece all about the challenges of growing up, signing to Domestic La La, working with James Tidswell, and who’s most likely to miss a birthday!
Who in the band is most likely to miss a birthday?
TEEN JESUS: I think we’d all agree that Jaida is the most likely to miss a birthday. We’d always forgive her, but she’d probably be off the grid with no reception, walking her dog Zippo through the mountains. She wouldn’t mean to but it’d happen.
What was the biggest challenge during lockdown for the band?
TEEN JESUS: As we live in separate cities, the hardest thing was definitely missing each other heaps. Anna and Jaida live together in Melbourne, while Scarlett and Neve are in Wollongong. We’re all best friends so it’s pretty hard not being able to hug every day.
‘Miss your Birthday’ touches on being comfortable at your parents’ house while wanting freedom out of home. How did this theme come about?
SCARLETT: Personal experience! I wrote it at a very important growing up time, where I was cripplingly homesick but desperately wanted to be independent and move out of home. It’s definitely a big adjustment as I’m sure everyone can agree, but always works itself out through the tears.
What can we expect from the 2022 ‘Miss Your Birthday’ tour?
TEEN JESUS: Wow are we excited. It’s gonna be great, expect high energy, gang vocals, vodka cruisers, school uniforms?, new merch and a whole lotta smiles.
How do you want to impact young girls with ‘Miss Your Birthday?’
TEEN JESUS: As much as this song is a bright, fun, pop kinda moment, we still want it to be helpful to our fans, particularly younger ones. We think it’s important to put yourself first and do a bit of self care - there’s nothing wrong with wanting a hug from your mum and missing a birthday or two.
What do you enjoy most about touring?
TEEN JESUS: Meeting all of you!!! That’s the #1 thing we have missed during covid, is not being able to interact with our beautiful supportive fans. There’s nothing like the feeling of a live gig and we can’t wait to share that with everyone again.
What’s it like working with James Tidswell from Violent Soho?
TEEN JESUS: Jimmy T is an absolute legend, exactly as you would expect. We all grew up listening to Violent Soho so it’s definitely intimidating suddenly working together, but James’ ideas were all incredible and we had such an amazing time together. We miss him very much.
What does being signed with Domestic La La mean for the band?
TEEN JESUS: We were honoured to be signed to DLL! The bands on this roster are absolutely amazing so it’s really lovely to have our hard work pay off and be signed to such an incredible label. This means that we have even more support and hopefully can pump out new tracks even quicker for you guys!
Which part or place of the tour are you most excited about?
TEEN JESUS: I’m pretty excited to be back on a plane for some reason! It’s so exciting boarding and knowing you’re flying across the country to people who know your songs and want to pay to hear you play them. It’s a bit of an honour being able to do this and travel nationally with our best friends so thank you to anyone who has listened, bought a t-shirt or come out to a show. We love you all very much!
Interview by Gabi Bowes.
Stream Teen Jesus and the Jean Teaser’s latest single ‘Miss Your Birthday’ now!
PLUS catch them on tour this Feb with an expected high energy, vodka cruisers and punk-rock goodness!