Swapmeet (band)
Swapmeet | |
|---|---|
 From left: Jack Medlyn, Maxwell Elphick, Venus O’Broin and Joshua Doherty at Music Farmers, Wollongong, in July 2026. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sour Sob (2022–2023) |
| Origin | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Label | Winspear |
| Members |
|
| Website | swapmeetband |
Swapmeet is an Australian indie rock band formed in Adelaide in 2022. The group consists of guitarists and drummers Maxwell Elphick and Jack Medlyn, lead vocalist and guitarist Venus O’Broin, and bassist Joshua Doherty.
After issuing their debut extended play Oxalis in 2024, they became the first international artist signed to Los Angeles-based record label Winspear. They released their debut studio album, Mount Zero, in July 2026.
History
The four band members met as teenagers in the early 2020s.[1] Maxwell Elphick and Joshua Doherty had previously played in a jangle pop band.[2]
The group played in the Adelaide scene under the name Sour Sob, until 2023, when they were sent a cease and desist from local musician Soursob Bob, who claimed their names were too similar.[3][4] Swapmeet became their new name, a reference to Elphick buying his guitar from a swap meet.[3]
In April 2024, the band released their debut five-track extended play (EP), Oxalis, named in reference to oxalis pes-caprae, the botanic name of a soursob.[3] It was entirely self-recorded and mixed.[2] At the 2024 South Australian Music Awards, Swapmeet received more nominations than any other act,[5] with wins in the Best Song ("Ceiling Fan") and Best Release (Oxalis) categories, and nods for Best New Artist, Best Group and Best Cover Art.[6]
Swapmeet became the first international artist signed to the Los Angeles-based record label Winspear.[7] They played at South by Southwest in early 2026 and were named by Rolling Stone as one of the "most impressive new acts" at the festival.[8] In July 2026, they released their debut studio album, Mount Zero, named after the mountain range halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne. It was recorded at a beach house in Noarlunga.[2]
Artistry
Early influences for the band included folk rock artists including Pinegrove, Big Thief, Stella Donnelly and Julia Jacklin.[1] The group utilise recording software as if its another instrument, layering dozens, sometimes hundreds, of tracks in the production process.[9][7]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [10] | ||
| Mount Zero |
|
26 |
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Oxalis |
|
— |
Awards and nominations
South Australian Music Awards
The South Australian Music Awards are annual awards that exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry. They commenced in 2012.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | "Ceiling Fan" | Best Song | Won | [5][6] |
| Oxalis | Best Release | Won | ||
| Swapmeet | Best New Artist | Nominated | ||
| Swapmeet | Best Group | Nominated | ||
| Best Cover Art | Nominated |
References
- 1 2 McNamara, Lauren (25 February 2026). "Up-And-Coming Australian Artists: Swapmeet". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 Vozick-Levinson, Simon (21 April 2026). "Swapmeet's Big, Beautiful Indie Noise". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Swapmeet isn't sour about a band name change". InDaily. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ Sabini, Josh (4 March 2026). "Swapmeet Are Playing SXSW". Monster Children. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- 1 2 Wilson, Emily (15 October 2024). "Swapmeet: 'It's Easy To Feel Like A Secret In Adelaide'". The Music. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- 1 2 Karakulak, Helen (8 November 2024). "2024 SA Music Award Winners crowned". InDaily. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- 1 2 Breen-Gibbons, Hannah (24 February 2026). "Swapmeet bottle the fragile chaos of growing up on coming-of-age single 'I Know!'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ "Who Won SXSW 2026? The 20 Best Things We Saw in Austin". Rolling Stone. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ "Swapmeet announce debut album Mount Zero". Northern Transmissions. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.