top of page

Swapmeet, Mount Zero



Australia has become a hotspot for blossoming indie acts in recent years. Swapmeet is surely one that sustains this trend. The band hails from Kuarna Land (Adelaide) and released their first single in 2023 entitled “New Wood, Old Ashes”. Though this track and its accompanying music video are the perfect portrayals of their sweet, indie pop-rock sound, they have soured it up a bit in the most tasteful way with their newest release. Swapmeet’s debut record Mount Zero toes the line between soft and punchy indie rock impeccably for a short 9-track, 33-minute run. With breathy vocals from oscillating vocalists to heavy billowing sections full of scratchy guitars, this album delivers grand bedroom pop-esque production over graceful and hearty melodies.


Prior to the release of this record, Swapmeet had only released their debut single and one EP in April of 2024 called Oxalis, a collection of songs that resembles the textured work of a much older, polished band. It contains such a distilled range in velvety to bristly moments and back, making it that much more special that it came from a group of musicians in their early 20s. Lead singer and guitarist Venus O’Broin, lead guitarist Maxwell Elphick, drummer Jack Medlyn, and bassist Joshua Doherty are all 24 now, and have impossibly but fortunately expanded their abilities to make a sincerely stunning new album.


Mount Zero opens with “I Know!”, the first single put out in the release cycle. O’Broin croons out the self-conscious lyrics “If you wanna hurt me, if you wanna try/ If I had your heart in my hand, would you want mine?”, contrary to the seemingly assured song title. A high-pitched guitar trails along with the melody of her voice, and crashing drums envelope the expectantly quiet parts of the chorus.



The title track follows with Elphick’s airy vocals in the first verse and O’Broin’s response to them in the second. A little over 2 minutes in, a loud distorted guitar rips into the flesh of the silky beginning and forces listeners to sit with its heaviness. The bouncy, heartstring-tugging “Bonny” is next. Medlyn, with O’Broin in harmony, sings “Promised you would come to the show/ I know you know I know you won’t”, grieving an inevitability he hoped would be different. The end of the song delivers an electronic hum followed by smashing drums, once again bringing a depth to the tenderness.


“Halfway” has layered vocals from O’Broin and a whispered version of herself. “It’s coming closer/ It’s on the tip of my tongue”, finding our speaker at the halfway point of fear and release. The bright springy guitars become grunge-laced and screechy as the track closes out. Next is “2 C U”, a yielding tune that repeats the line “I can’t wait to see you again” again and again. The lyrics on this record are filled with a zest for love and youth in the face of disappointment that only those willing to bear it emotionally can provide.


Track 6 is “Seeds”, which begins with the softest guitar strum against Elphick’s lead vocals. Nothing feels more right than the galloping drums paired with O’Broin’s angelic harmony. Track 7, “Sand”, finds Medlyn’s lower register voice over the most divine guitar riff. This song is definitely a standout and is home to one of the album’s many sneaky clarinet insertions from the drummer.


“Personal (Don’t Take It)” is one of the record’s most reserved tracks, with vocals and haunting but warm violins at the forefront. In true Swapmeet fashion, the end features a welcomed, jangly breakdown alongside all these elements. The band’s influences of shoegaze and 90s slowcore are ever prominent as we roll into the final track. “My Heart Breaks II” takes from the previous tune in its slow start but ramps up into a much faster speed by the second verse. The bass on this one hits you right in the chest. This 6-minute track features countless, cool components, from flipping tempos, a double-time drum part, and fluttering woodwinds, never allowing for a dull second to pass.



Mount Zero is an album full of clear vocals and unfeigned lyricism. Each instrument is given the space and time throughout to showcase their talents, while clarinets and violins also find their way in as a pleasant surprise. Each song seems to continue one way and transforms into something so much more thrilling, with the element of surprise being a good friend. It’s lofi guitar pop, it's jangly rock, it’s pliable then spiny, and all things in between.


In just the past year, Swapmeet have seen a mass expansion in their following and garnered accolades. After receiving more nominations than anyone at the 2024 South Australian Music Awards for their first EP, they went on to be named “one of the most impressive new acts” at SXSW this year by Rolling Stone. Getting props like these and opening spots for The Murder Capital, Suki Waterhouse, and Wolf Alice is no easy feat, and spells only good things for the Aussie rockers. Swapmeet will be playing a headline North American tour all through October, where only 10 select cities will get to see them sparkle this year.


Upcoming NA tour dates:

October 8, 2026 – Los Angeles, California at El Cid

October 9, 2026 – San Francisco, California at Neck of the Woods

October 11, 2026 – Seattle, Washington at Baba Yaga

October 12, 2026 – Portland, Oregon at Polaris Hall

October 14, 2026 – Chicago, Illinois at Schubas

October 16, 2026 – Toronto, Ontario at The Monarch Tavern

October 17, 2026 – Montreal, Quebec at Toscadura

October 22, 2026 – Brooklyn, New York at Baby's All Right

October 23, 2026 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Johnny Brenda's

October 24, 2026 – Washington, D.C. at Songbyrd Music House 


'Mount Zero' was released July 17th, 2026, via Winspear

bottom of page