Twerps (band)
| Company type | Indie pop group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Twerps was an indie pop group originating from Melbourne, Australia, established in 2008.
History
The band Twerps came together in late 2008, emerging as a "creative extension" of the partnership between Martin Frawley and Julia MacFarlane. Their sound featured jangly pop elements reminiscent of Dick Diver and other Melbourne-based indie musicians, a style that later became identified as dolewave. Shortly after forming, they opened for notable international artists such as Deerhunter, Yo La Tengo, and Oh Sees.
Their inaugural album, titled Twerps and released through Chapter Music in 2011, garnered widespread critical praise. Pitchfork awarded it a 7.9 rating, highlighting its "superb melodies, straightforward guitar arrangements, and unpretentious lyrics conveying urgency or emotional weight." The album’s final track, "Coast to Coast," was honored as a Best New Track by Pitchfork, making Twerps only the third Australian group to receive this accolade, following Cut Copy and Tame Impala.
Prior to the release of their sophomore record, Range Anxiety, the lineup expanded with the addition of Angus Lord and Alex MacFarlane—both previously part of dolewave act the Stevens—on bass and drums respectively. This album supported their international touring schedule and festival performances.
Twerps performed their concluding concert in November 2017 and issued their final single, "It's Time," in 2018 before disbanding quietly. Despite the split, Frawley conveyed optimism about a possible reunion in the future, inspired by The Go-Betweens’ comeback album The Friends of Rachel Worth and his enthusiasm for collaborating again with MacFarlane.
Members
- Martin Frawley – vocals, guitar (2008–2018)
- Julia MacFarlane – vocals, guitar (2008–2018)
- Rick Milovanovic – bass guitar (2008–2013)
- Patrick O'Neill – drums (2008–2013)
- Angus Lord – bass guitar (2013–2018)
- Alex MacFarlane – drums (2013–2018)
- Jazper Doak Stride – dancing (current)
Albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Twerps |
|
| Range Anxiety |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Twerps |
|
| Underlay |
|
EG Awards / Music Victoria Awards
The EG Awards—renamed as the Music Victoria Awards starting in 2013—are annual ceremonies recognizing outstanding achievements within Victoria’s music scene since 2006. |- |rowspan="4"| 2012 | Twerps | Best Album | |- | "Dreamin'" | Best Song | |- | Twerps | Best Band | |- | Twerps | Outstanding Achievement By a Victorian Artist | |- | 2015 | Twerps | Best Band | |-