What’s My Scene: Anna Jeavons takes comfort in the chaos
In our regular Q&A column What’s My Scene, InReview speaks to emerging and established local artists to get their take on the South Australian creative scene and their place within it. This week, Anna Jeavons shares her songwriting journey from “anarchist manifestos” to the nostalgic emo pop of her debut album.
Where was your first gig, and how did it go?
My first gig was at a local acoustic music night called Get Folk’d, run by a friend at Enigma Bar on Thursdays. A regular crowd showed up each week for drinks and tunes. It was often full to the brim. This was the era of professionally photographed Facebook albums documenting every night out in detail. You could probably find extensive evidence of the chaos.
I remember including both a Brand New and Jessie J cover to pad out my setlist (the range!), bringing a friend on stage to harmonise. The response was overwhelmingly supportive. People gathered in the front bar, standing and sitting cross-legged on the floor, yelling out encouragement. The vibe was young, fearless and excitable and that’s how I felt debuting my songs.
What is your artist origin story?
I was an avid gig-goer as a teenager, running around Adelaide in kneepads and power-sliding through concert crowds. I got an acoustic guitar for Christmas one year that I’d play around on. I was not musically-minded but I’ve always loved words – and songs are basically poetry.
I went to Europe by myself at 18 and experienced some of my first bipolar manic episodes. I remember couch-surfing in Berlin and strumming on a stranger’s guitar. Mania gives you a grandiose degree of confidence. I wrote a song on the spot – some kind of anarchist manifesto.
When I returned to Australia I was hospitalised at home and kept expressing myself through music as I came down. Eventually my friend said, “Hey, you’ve got more than one song, come play live at my music night!” That encouragement, and supportive friends listening live, was enough to keep me dabbling.
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What was your impression of the Adelaide creative scene when you first started, and how has that changed?
The music scene when I was young felt fun, chaotic and interconnected. A bit dirty and messy. There was a lot of drinking, mosh pits and making out. We’d break into abandoned buildings in the city after shows and frequent La Sing because it opened late. There were some really enthusiastic communities who rallied hard around their favourite local artists.
I can’t say for sure, but the music scene today strikes me as a lot more sensible. Covid likely contributed some degree of agoraphobia. Maybe there’s less alcohol-fuelled shenanigans because the price of pints has skyrocketed? Or maybe I’m just old and out of touch.
There’s so much talent in Adelaide, and a lot of really wholesome and inspiring DIY initiatives. Young people can access cool opportunities through organisations like Carclew and Northern Sound System. We’ve got some of the best emo bands, an exciting experimental scene, and even a few popstars.
How has your own work evolved since you first started?
When I was younger, I wrote really optimistic songs. They were about changing the world and building self-esteem and being hopeful. Later in my 20s I wrote a lot about existential angst, mental health challenges and unrequited love; about trying to find my place in the world. That’s the era where most of the songs on my album come from. They’re kind of melancholic, self-conscious and reflective. A lot of navel-gazing. Lately I’ve been more focused on releasing music than writing it. I’m curious to see what happens for me creatively once my album launch is over. I’ve learnt so much producing this body of work. Who knows what’s next? Likely some laying down.
What is it about your next release that you’re most excited to share with the world?
My album Anomie is officially out. I’m excited for people to hear my songs how I’ve always envisioned them. With Ben Stewart’s help, I’ve been able to take them beyond that DIY folk/country feel and into a new, more ambient space. They’re much more layered, polished and ethereal. To me it sounds nostalgic, like some of the emo and pop songs of my youth, and I love that. I hope folks will appreciate the new sound and be moved by it. There’s still that raw, stripped back vibe threaded throughout. There’s sparse and dreamy songs and others with more pace and energy. I love hearing what resonates with people. I can’t wait to have more conversations about my lyrics and intentions.
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Who are the artists around you that inspire or challenge you?
A lot of alternative emo/punk bands like Slowly Slowly and The Flying So High-Os, as well as folk and dreampop. I was really inspired by Rin McArdle’s songwriting back in the day. I’ve loved specific projects like Kelso – Kelly-Dawn Helmrich’s of Camp Cope – and fellow Girls Rock! Adelaide co-founder Hannah Fairlamb’s album Crushing / Crushed under the name BUCKO.
I’m also inspired by lots of local creatives’ approaches to creativity and community building. Thea Martin (short snarl/caps lock records/Twine/Any Young Mechanic) has been making DIY books and throwing gigs in bookshops. Runt! Records are an amazing indie events collective. Their gigs are inclusive, interactive and scrappy in the best way. I’m lucky to have them presenting my album launch.
Favourite venue to play?
Of those still open, perhaps The Exeter for the vibey beer garden and endless memories.
Dream artist to perform alongside?
Maybe Daniel Johnston if he were alive, so we could be bipolar and not-amazing at guitar together.
Favourite artist to collaborate with?
I intrinsically love the style of my producer, Ben Stewart. He elevates my music in every way.
Where is your next gig, and how do you hope it will go?
My album launch for Anomie is on June 6, at Nexus Arts. For the first time in my life I’m not playing solo. I’ve pulled together a full band. We’ve been rehearsing – it’s so fun! The gig is presented by Runt! Records, with supports Eaglemont (Melbourne) and Sofia Menguita.
Like most people putting on an event, I hope people come. I hope I feel confident. That some new people connect with my music. I’d love if there was some of the energy I felt at my first gigs back in the day – supportive and encouraging but also loose, playful, and a little chaotic. I hope inhibitions are set aside, new friends are made, and people of all ages party on. Maybe we’ll all end up at La Sing again…
Anna Jeavons will launch Anomie at Nexus Arts on Saturday June 6
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