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- Why Jersey Mike’s became a band ritual
- How a group of friends in high school became Swapmeet
- Who plays what and how their roles shift
- Studio work: from Oxalis to Mount Zero
- Stage presence and SXSW momentum
- Family rules: pranks, pasta dinners, and minor violence
- The show they want: a soundtrack for living, not a performance to stare at
- Core beliefs and working mantras
- Practical details and release information
The morning before I met Swapmeet, their publicist sent a single, odd request: could the interview happen at Jersey Mike’s? I said yes, laughed, and watched four Adelaide kids treat subs like a sacred rite.
Why Jersey Mike’s became a band ritual
Their affection for the sandwich chain was a running joke that turned serious fast. Bassist Joshua Doherty calls it almost spiritual. The band had already visited multiple locations since arriving in the U.S.
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- Josh ordered the #13, “Mike’s way.”
- Venus took the #14 veggie, also Mike’s way.
- Maxwell had the #9 without bacon, still Mike’s way.
- Jack defied the tradition with the #16 not Mike’s way.
Their obsession is playful and public. They even joked about asking other restaurants to “have it Mike’s way.” The image of them in an Austin sandwich shop captured how the band moves: casual, loud, and unapologetic.
How a group of friends in high school became Swapmeet
The band began as a circle of mates who jammed in basements and swapped roles freely. Early names and failed votes are part of the origin story.
- They once called themselves Soursob, until legal trouble forced a change.
- Bean Feast briefly won a parental vote and earned scorn.
- Swapmeet was a long-held idea born from a guitar bought at a local market.
Rebranding freed them creatively. Venus says the reset made them reckless in a good way. They rebuilt with less worry and more daring.
Who plays what and how their roles shift
The band’s lineup is intentionally fluid. Members rotate between guitar, drums, and vocals.
- Jack and Maxwell swap guitar and drums mid-set.
- Vocals are shared: Venus, Jack, and Maxwell all sing.
- Most songs still begin with Josh’s songwriting.
They treat instruments as communal props during rehearsals and shows. If someone sits at the drum kit during a jam, they might end up keeping it for that song.
Studio work: from Oxalis to Mount Zero
Their 2024 EP Oxalis taught them what would survive a record. They learned to write and record at the same time.
For Mount Zero, the process grew more collaborative. Parts were tried, remixed, and carved away like sculpture. Jack calls himself an “Ableton nerd” and leaned on computer production.
They often piled on ideas, then stripped them back. That cycle gave the album a layered, lived-in sound.
- Three hours once went into adding ten seconds to an outro.
- They experimented until the take that felt right revealed itself.
- They embraced trial and error as a core method.
Stage presence and SXSW momentum
Swapmeet’s shows are celebrated for high energy and unpredictability. They played multiple SXSW dates and won accolades at home in Sydney.
- Awarded Best Performance and Emerging Artist at SXSW Sydney.
- Multiple slots at Austin’s SXSW showcased their relentless touring pace.
Onstage, costume changes, instrument swaps, and physical comedy rule. Venus tears off hoodies mid-set. Maxwell moves from drums to guitar. Jack periodically rises from the kit in excitement.
Their live sets feel like a messy, brilliant party where the band and audience get swept up together.
Family rules: pranks, pasta dinners, and minor violence
The word they reach for most is family, but not the sentimental kind. Their bond is sibling-like and often petty.
- Josh wakes bandmates at odd hours and is teased for it.
- Friday pasta dinners at Maxwell’s became a punctuality trick and ritual.
- Physical pranks and headlocks are standard fare on tour.
They hang out nearly every day. That closeness translates into a musical shorthand few bands can match.
The show they want: a soundtrack for living, not a performance to stare at
Swapmeet dislikes the showroom vibe at many gigs. They want crowds moving, kissing, and losing their sense of being watched.
Venus argues that music should be a night’s soundtrack, not a solemn exhibit. The band actively encourages dancing and reckless behavior in the crowd.
Their ideal audience is busy making out, not taking notes. They once told crowds to dance with a stranger for a song. It worked.
Core beliefs and working mantras
They each have a guiding rule or two. These shape how they rehearse, tour, and act onstage.
- “Take it seriously, but not too seriously.” — Josh
- “Try hard as fuck.” — Maxwell
- “The band is about the four of us.” — Venus
- No tolerance for indifference from audiences.
They prize trying over perfection. Mistakes are experiments. Failure is research.
Practical details and release information
Mount Zero is due July 17 on Winspear. Tracks split vocal duties across the trio of singers and lean on Josh’s songwriting archive.
The band plans to keep touring and testing songs live. Their approach remains a mix of youthful play and intentional craft.
