Major Collaboration Announced Between Mainstays of Adelaide Local Scene

Two titans of the Adelaide music scene have joined forces, suggesting a promising start to the new year. 

Maxwell Elphick is the musical tour de force behind Swapmeet, contributing guitar, drums, main and backing vocals to the up-and-coming SA-music-award-winning indie foursome. Erin McKenzie is the major rising talent behind folk rock band Perfect 50 and DIY project Swan Reach. Individually, both are consummate musicians and songwriters - so a collaboration between the two is a recipe for sure success.

Elpick and McKenzie spent the tailend of 2024 together creating an EP, titled Sports Day.

“Maxwell reached out for me to add vocals to a project he was working on,” McKenzie explains. “Then I sent him something I was working on as well, and he added guitar and drums to it. We were both super keen on how our musical styles mixed so we decided to do a whole EP together!”

There were several things that drew Elphick to the notion of a collaboration with McKenzie.

“The first was her songwriting ability,” he says. “I think she’s one of the best writers I have ever met.” He reportedly realised this almost instantly after finding her Soundcloud and seeing her perform live several times. 

“There was something about her lyricism and musicality that drew me to her songs,” he adds. He was also inspired by her “DIY approach” to recording. “I thought it was super cool how she could just record the best vocal take ever in 5 minutes with her phone.”

McKenzie adds, “I think we both have a similar style of music creation, which is to improvise and get all of our ideas into audio form quite quickly and just see how they turn out. Embracing little mistakes…He’s also an awesome guitarist and songwriter and drummer of course!”

The EP’s leading single, triple angel, was released on all streaming platforms on December 6th. The track, warm and intimate in its genesis, expands to become a grand, cathartic indie rock number.

“It all happened so fast that it almost feels like I’m listening to someone else’s songs when I hear them back,” Elphick says. “Everything was so spontaneous - which is my favourite way to do music. It kept it exciting.”

McKenzie is equally keen for the imminent release, and has nothing but praise for her fellow musician. “He has a very admirable work ethic, which is very inspiring to me. Maxwell is super kind and easy to work with, and we are super happy with how it came out.”

For those who are desperate for a sneak peak of what this exciting collaboration entails, Elphick and McKenzie have announced a special show, taking place this Thursday, January 9th, at Crybaby, where they will be performing the EP in its entirety. They will be accompanied by indie-rock foursome Stormy-Lou and Naarm-based DIY indie whizz Local The Neighbour. 

Sports Day is scheduled for a February 14th release.