Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are an Australian rock band formed in Canberra in 2015. The group consists of vocalist Anna Ryan, guitarist Scarlett McKahey, drummer Neve van Boxsel and bass guitarist Jaida Stephenson.[4] Their debut extended play, Pretty Good for a Girl Band, was released in 2022 through Domestic La La,[5] and won Best Independent Punk Album or EP at the 2023 AIR Awards. They released their debut studio album, I Love You, in October 2023,[6] which peaked at number 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Canberra, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Domestic La La |
| Members |
|
| Past members | Pip Gazard |
| Website | www |
History
edit2015–2020: Formation and early releases
editThe band was formed in July 2015 when all five band members – lead vocalist and bandleader Anna Ryan, lead guitarist Scarlett McKahey, drummer Neve van Boxsel, keyboardist Pip Gazard, and bassist Jaida Stephenson – were 15 year old students at the Orana Steiner School in Weston, a suburb of Canberra.[7] Some of the band members also came from Wollongong and Melbourne.[8] Van Boxsel had been playing drums since she was 10; Ryan had been singing for all their childhood.[3]
In June 2019, the band released "I Like That You Like That", and were named as a Triple J Unearthed feature artist.[9] The same year, they performed at Bigsound, Groovin' the Moo and Sydney's Laneway Festival, further touring in the 2019/2020 Falls Festival.[10]
On 6 February 2020, their fourth single "Desk Chair" was released, with Hayden Davies of music publication Pilerats praising it for being "gritty and rough-around-the-edges in the most charming of ways".[10][11]
2021–2022: Pretty Good for a Girl Band
editUpon signing with Domestic La La in 2021, the band's first single with the label, "Ahhhh!", was released on 23 July.[12] In the Triple J Hottest 200 of 2021, their song "AHHHH!" made it to number 117 in the countdown.[13] In May 2021, the band performed at a number of festivals in the United Kingdom.[14] On 16 November, the second single "Miss Your Birthday" was released, co-written by Alex Lahey.[15]
On 29 March 2022, the band announced their debut EP Pretty Good for a Girl Band would be released on 13 May.[8] The news was accompanied by the release's third and final single, "Girl Sports", which was described by Ellie Robinson from NME as a "notedly darker cut for the Canberra-native quartet" featuring "more grisly guitar runs, snappy, cymbal-heavy drums and cutthroat lead vocals".[16] The band embarked on a nationwide tour supporting the EP in August 2022.[17]
2023–present: I Love You
editIn March 2023, the band released "Lights Out", their first new song since releasing their 2022 EP.[18] "Never Saw It Coming" followed as the second single on 7 June, when it was announced that their debut studio album, I Love You, would be released later in 2023.[6] The latter single is the first to be written and sung by van Boxsel, and the band's first acoustic song.[6]
In August 2023, founding guitarist Scarlett McKahey announced that due to her struggles with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, she would be unable to continue performing live shows with the band, but she would remain a member for recording.[19]
Artistry
editThe band cites the Riot grrrl movement as well as the acts of Cherry Glazerr, Dream Wife, VOIID and WAAX as their biggest influences.[3] Ryan, lead songwriter, has said the intention in their lyricism is "to create music that is relatable and meaningful" to "women especially". The band's lyricism has often alluded to events that have impacted their lives – "Girl Sports" is specifically written about a comment made by Stephenson's male dentist to "stick to girl sports",[16] and their debut EP's name is derived from remarks made by some listeners' surprise at the band's ability.[20]
Band members
editCurrent members
- Anna Ryan – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2015–present)
- Scarlett McKahey – lead guitar, backing vocals[a] (2015–present)
- Neve van Boxsel – drums, backing and occasional lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2015–present)
- Jaida Stephenson – bass guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)
Current touring musicians
- Meg Holland – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2023–present)[b]
Former members
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [22] | ||
| I Love You |
|
6 |
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Creepshow[c] |
|
| Pretty Good for a Girl Band |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "We're All Henry"[d][24] | 2017 | Non-album singles |
| "I Like That You Like That"[25] | 2019 | |
| "See You in a Bit (I Still Care)"[26] | ||
| "Desk Chair"[27] | 2020 | |
| "Ahhhh!"[12] | 2021 | Pretty Good for a Girl Band
|
| "Miss Your Birthday"[28] | ||
| "Girl Sports"[16] | 2022 | |
| "Lights Out"[18] | 2023 | I Love You
|
| "Never Saw It Coming"[6] | ||
| "I Used to Be Fun"[29] | ||
| "Salt"[30] | ||
| "Dull"[31] | 2024 | I Love You Too
|
| "Please Me" (featuring The Linda Lindas)[32] |
Awards and nominations
editAIR Awards
editThe 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.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Nominated | [33][34] |
| Pretty Good for a Girl Band | Best Independent Punk Album or EP | Won | ||
| Domestic La La: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – Pretty Good for a Girl Band | Independent Marketing Team of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Genna Alexopoulos: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – Pretty Good for a Girl Band | Independent Publicity Team of the Year | Won | ||
| 2024 | "I Used to Be Fun" | Independent Song of the Year | Nominated | [35] |
| I Love You | Best Independent Rock Album or EP | Won | ||
| Domestic La La: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – I Love You | Independent Marketing Team of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Oscar Dawson: Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers – I Love You | Independent Producer of the Year | Nominated |
ARIA Music Awards
editThe ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | I Love You | Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist | Pending | [36] |
APRA Awards
editThe APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | "I Used to Be Fun" | Song of the Year | Shortlisted | [37] |
| Scarlett McKahey, Anna Ryan, Jaida Stephenson and Neve van Boxsel (Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers) |
Emerging Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | [38] |
J Awards
editThe 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.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | I Love You | Australian Album of the Year | Nominated | [39] |
Rolling Stone Australia Awards
editThe Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers | Best New Artist | Nominated | |
| 2024 | "I Used to Be Fun" | Best Single | Nominated | [40] |
| Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers | Best New Artist | Nominated |
References
editNotes
edit- ^ In August 2023, McKahey announced she would be stepping back from performing live due to her diagnosis with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. She remains a band member.[19]
- ^ Holland fulfils lead guitar duties when McKahey is not performing with the band, and rhythm guitar duties when she is. In the latter instances, Ryan does not play guitar live.
- ^ While technically their debut EP, the band has stated Creepshow has been "scrubbed out of existence" and has been removed from streaming services. They prefer Pretty Good for a Girl Band to be labeled as their debut.[23]
- ^ "We're All Henry" was originally a part of the Creepshow EP, and is the only song not removed from streaming services.[23]
Citations
edit- ^ "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers". Springtime. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers". Triple J Unearthed. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Ellie (2021-08-18). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers: Canberra grunge revivalists making heartfelt, heavy-hitting punk anthems". NME. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ Welby, Augustus (2022-03-22). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers: "We want to be known as a band, not a girl band."". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ Oxley, Dylan (2022-05-06). "Interview: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers talk Pretty Good For A Girl Band, national tour and sexist dentists". The AU Review. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ a b c d Varvaris, Mary. "Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers Announce Debut Album 'I Love You', Share New Single". Kill Your Stereo. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ a b Winchester, Bree (November 15, 2016). "Canberra girl band draws on 90s indie rock to tackle modern teenage issues". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers Share Debut EP + 'Girl Sports' Video". Music Feeds. 2022-05-13. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ "Get To Know Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers". triple j. 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ a b Davies, Hayden (6 February 2020). "Meet Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers, who channel teenagehood into 90s grunge". Pilerats. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ "Rising icons Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers on navigating youth and putting it into song". Savage Thrills. 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ a b Robinson, Ellie (2021-07-23). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers yell their hearts out on fiery new single 'AHHHH!'". NME. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ "This Canberra grunge band is living the dream". ABC Canberra. 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ "Meet Canberra's coolest new band, Teen Jesus & the Jean Teasers". Mixdown Magazine. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ Robinson, Ellie (2022-02-03). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers share video for 'Miss Your Birthday', update Australian tour". NME. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Ellie (2022-03-29). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers share biting new single 'Girl Sports'". NME. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ Bruce, David (30 March 2022). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers announce debut EP Pretty Good for a Girl Band". Amnplify. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ a b Robinson, Ellie (2 April 2023). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers tease debut album with belting single 'Lights Out'". NME. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ a b Robinson, Ellie (10 August 2023). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers' Guitarist Steps Down From Touring Due To Chronic Illness". The Music. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ Randy Radic (2022-05-13). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Release 'Pretty Good For A Girl Band' - Guitar Girl Magazine". Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ Caughey, Annie (21 April 2017). "Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers: As cool as the name sounds". HerCanberra. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "Discography Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Ellie (19 May 2022). "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers: "Now that we've got this platform, we're really going to tell people what we think"". Guitar World. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ We're All Henry – Spotify, 2017-08-17, retrieved 2022-11-15
- ^ I Like That You Like That – Spotify, 2019-04-18, retrieved 2022-11-15
- ^ See You In A Bit (I Still Care) – Spotify, 2019-07-25, retrieved 2022-11-15
- ^ Davies, Hayden. "Meet Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers, who channel teenagehood into 90s grunge". PILERATS. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ "Video Premiere: School's In Session In Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers' 'Miss Your Birthday' Clip". Life Without Andy. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ Robinson, Ellie. "Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers Drop New Single 'I Used To Be Fun', Announce 'I Love You' Album Tour". The Music. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers Team Up with The Grogans on New Single 'Salt'". Music Feeds. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers Announce Deluxe Version Of Debut Album, 'I Love You Too'". Music Feeds. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Teen Jesus & The Linda Lindas Team Up for High-Energy 'Please Me'". Rolling Stone Australia. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023". Music Feeds. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "King Stingray and Genesis Owusu Win Big at 2023 AIR Awards". Music Feeds. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ "2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More". The Music. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "G Flip, Genesis Owusu, RVG & More Shortlisted For 2024 APRA Song Of The Year". The Music. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "2024 APRA Music Awards nominees announced: Paul Kelly, Troye Sivan, Tex Perkins, and more". Mumbrella. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "Check out all the nominees for the 2023 J Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Troye Sivan, Kylie Minogue & Dom Dolla Among 2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.