Get To Know... Swapmeet • Neu • DIY Magazine

Hello and welcome back to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… which aims to get you a little bit closer to the buzziest acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.

An alt-rock four piece from Adelaide, Swapmeet make hazy, sunkissed music – songs for long coastal drives, for falling madly in love and crashing wildly out of it. Their forthcoming debut album, ‘Mount Zero’, deals with the passions, heartbreaks and general existential messiness of early adulthood; the vocals are often delivered softly, so the band instead channel this emotional intensity through huge volcanic eruptions of guitar noise. Its songs pack an immediate punch, but reward the repeat listening necessary to unpack the dense layers of texture and intricate melodies buried in the haze.

Ahead of the LP’s arrival, we catch up with the band’s Josh Doherty to learn more about their local scene, old iPod faves, and top bucket list destinations…

If your music was an animal, what would it be (and why)?
Our music would be a Mantis shrimp - very chill and quiet, but can explode out of nowhere at random points

You hail from Adelaide - musically, what was it like growing up / starting out there? Is there a good supply of venues or a strong local scene? Give us an insight into those formative years.
Adelaide has a very tight knit music scene and only a few venues. The scene is very strong and close - everyone goes to everyone’s gigs, and there are always familiar faces. Although there are not heaps of venues, there are ones like The Metro, which made it really easy for us and most Adelaide bands to be able to play shows. They’re one of the only venues that supply a back line and have a guarantee, which makes it really easy for bands just starting out.

What were the first songs / albums you ever bought with your own money?
I remember the first two albums I bought on my iPod Nano were ‘THE E.N.D’ by Black Eyed Peas, and ‘Rattle And Hum’ by U2. Very random, but very awesome.

“The Adelaide scene is very strong and close — everyone goes to everyone’s gigs, and there are always familiar faces.”

— Josh Doherty

Your upcoming debut album, ‘Mount Zero’, explores the liminality, transience, and possibilities of unsettled young adulthood; in a parallel universe, if you weren’t in a band, where would you be and what would you be doing?
I think Maxwell would either be pursuing electrical engineering or riding people around in a gondola in Italy. Venus would probably be doing art, or being an interior designer in New York. Jack would be a synth technician or running our local music store. I would be making sandwiches all day long.

You’re set to embark on a big international tour this Autumn, with stops across the UK, Europe, and North America. Is there anywhere in particular that’s on your must-visit bucket list? And anywhere in Australia you’d recommend everyone else needs to visit?
My birthplace of Glasgow; and Ireland, where Venus’ and my families are. I’m also very very excited for Canada. Then if in Adelaide, I’d recommend Belair National Park - that place is epic.

Who would play you all in the Swapmeet biopic?
Maxwell - Jenna Ortega
Josh - Diplo
Venus - Sinead O’Connor
Jack - Calvin Harris

Finally, DIY are coming round for dinner - what are you making?
We will make you a big beautiful bowl of Pho, with a Vietnamese iced coffee and extra bread.

‘Mount Zero’ is out on 17th July via Winspear.

#AD