The two-piece indie/pop-punk duo Teenage Joans have a lot to say. The powerhouses that are Cahli and Tahlia perform beautifully crafted and unapologetic tunes that are sure to get you singing along. They’ve shared stages with the likes of...
The two-piece indie/pop-punk duo Teenage Joans have a lot to say. The powerhouses that are Cahli and Tahlia perform beautifully crafted and unapologetic tunes that are sure to get you singing along.
They’ve shared stages with the likes of Amy Shark, The Chats and Ruby Fields, and were voted as South Australia’s Best Live Act back in 2019. They even received the coveted top spot in triple j’s Unearthed High 2020! Most recently, their EP Taste of Me explores the simple pleasures with a free spirit and punky vibe.
Cahli and Tahlia have done it all, and they have gained some amazing and loyal fans along the way.
This week, Tahlia joined us for a chat about her career development so far. Check out her answers below:
What inspired you to pursue music as a career?
I have always had a love for music ever since I was younger. I have always been surrounded by music whether that be from my parents and grandparents playing music every second of the day or going to my cousins’ gigs and watching him play drums. I actually started playing drums after I saw my cousin’s band play which inspired me so much. In primary school, I always wanted to play music and be in a band and I think it’s super cool that I’m doing that with my best friend.
Besides making music, what have you done to get to where you are?
As well as a lot of other artists, I feel like we have worked so hard to get where we are. I remember when we were first starting out, we were playing around 2 or 3 shows a week and I was also still in school. It was difficult as we were trying to juggle different commitments at once such as friendships, work, schoolwork and family but we loved what we were doing so we were constantly working hard to make it all work.
What’s your advice on staying professionally active during COVID times?
COVID times have been such a struggle for everyone, and I feel like sometimes it’s okay if you’re not doing as much as you were before covid. Having that time to take a break from things and take time for yourself is healthy. However, everyone is different. In terms of staying professionally active, staying active on social media platforms, and sharing some cool content can help not only yourself but also your viewers. I feel like it helps keep the connections between an artist and their listeners even in the tough times.
If COVID-19 is still effecting you and your music, go through our COVID-19 Support and Resources page for an extra helping hand.
What is the most significant challenge you have conquered in your career?
At this point in time, the most challenging thing would have to be dealing with sexism. It’s sad to think that this still happens but it does. For example, I’ve faced different situations where I’ve been questioned about my ability to play music or even people being surprised that I can play. Sometimes it can be super disheartening, but I just try to face the situations head-on and try to remember that I’m here for a reason. I’m also super grateful to be surrounded by a big network of strong and empowering women that remind me of this every day.
How should people educate themselves on current industry issues?
I feel like people can educate themselves by taking the time to read articles that have been published about the issues. Personally, I’ve found that the articles can teach people so much about the issues and they allow people to reflect on how they can do their part to try to change it. Making sure people listen to those who have gone through certain situations is also a huge eye-opener.
How have you integrated modern technology into your content process?
In today’s world, a lot of artists rely on their social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to connect with their audience. We like to use Instagram to create cool content keep our audience interested in our music and show them who we are as creative people.
Enjoy this? There’s plenty more great reads over at our Savvy Seven archive collection