Q&A: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Usher in a Bold New Era with “BALCONY”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY KIMBERLY KAPELA ☆
Photography Credit: Brianna Da Silva
SETTING THEIR SIGHTS ON THE WORLD STAGE — Rapidly ascending rockers Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers have kicked off 2025 with a roar, dropping their first single of the year, “BALCONY”—an emotionally charged anthem that signals a powerful new chapter for the band. Produced by Catherine Marks, “BALCONY” is the first glimpse into a newly evolved sonic universe the band began shaping during a five-week recording stint at The Grove Studios.
“BALCONY” leans into cinematic indie-rock textures while preserving the group’s razor-sharp edge. It's expansive but never overblown—combining cathartic hooks, shimmering guitar work, and dynamic shifts that reflect the band’s growth both musically and personally. The single builds on their breakout 2023 debut album I Love You, but pushes their raw energy into more layered, atmospheric territory—marking a clear shift in artistry and ambition.
The track is also a signpost for the band’s biggest year yet. Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers return to North America for a career-defining run, supporting none other than Pearl Jam on six arena dates across Nashville, Raleigh, and Pittsburgh as part of the legendary band’s Dark Matter Tour.
In addition to the arena dates, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers will headline shows in New York City, Los Angeles and Toronto, marking their first-ever North American headline dates. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, it’s a chance to see the fierce four-piece—Anna Ryan (vocals/guitar), Scarlett McKahey (guitar/vocals), Jaida Stephenson (bass) and Neve van Boxsel (drums)—in full flight, as they bring their mix of femme punk energy and indie-rock shimmer to some of the world’s most iconic stages.
With “BALCONY” as the first taste of what’s next, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers aren’t just riding a wave—they’re shaping it. This is a band stepping into their prime, rewriting the rulebook as they go, and making it crystal clear: the future of rock isn't just loud—it’s luminous.
Photography Credit: Brianna Da Silva
LUNA: Welcome back and thank you for talking to Luna again. It's super exciting to have you back since the last time we talked about the deluxe release of I Love You Too record. I would love to catch up and see how life has been treating you and what have you been up to since the last time we talked.
NEVE: It's been amazing. I swear last year was the best year of our lives. We did so much touring just around Australia, and also went to America for a little bit, and then, of course, ended the year with Pearl Jam and winning an ARIA. It's been insane. It's been great.
LUNA: You just released your newest single “BALCONY” and I love how it’s such a natural evolution of your sound. What is the inspiration behind the track and what themes and emotions do you explore?
NEVE: I think we just wanted to embody the feeling of being at a party for far longer than you need to be, and looking yourself in the mirror and being like, ‘What am I really doing here?’ I feel like, from start to finish, it's the progression of being at the party, from the start of the night to the morning. I think we wanted to embody more 2000s fun, which is a bit of a different direction for us. We love it so much, especially when the breakdown bit.
LUNA: I would love to touch more on the creative process for “BALCONY.” You recorded the track at The Grove Studios with London-based producer Catherine Marks. How did working with Marks shape the sound or direction of the song?
NEVE: She's incredible. I don't know how she does what she does. She just sits there for 12 hours and she's the most focused person I've ever met. We had an idea of where we wanted the song to go, but she led it in a direction and expanded the world behind “BALCONY” that really gave it that vibe of being in the bathroom, staring at yourself in the mirror, questioning why am I still here? She sonically made that possible. She's a genius.
LUNA: You spent five weeks at The Grove Studios. How did that concentrated studio time influence your creativity or band dynamic?
NEVE: It was great. We've never done anything like that recording. I Love You was spread out over months where we'd go down to Victoria. This was great. It meant that we were constantly in recording mode. Literally, you'd walk out of the studio and that's the lounge room. You couldn't really escape, but in the best way, and it just made us really focused. I just feel like it's sonically more cohesive than just everything we've been doing.
LUNA: This track kicks off a new chapter for Teen Jesus—how do you see it connecting to or diverging from your previous releases?
NEVE: I think there will always be a connection to I Love You, because that's obviously who we are. I think it's us growing up a bit more and thinking a little bit more about what sort of music we want to do, instead of just saying ‘this sounds cool,’ and having a bit more of a direction. I think that just comes with us not being 15 anymore.
LUNA: You’re about to hit the road with Pearl Jam—six arena dates across the U.S.! What was your reaction when you found out you’d be the only support act?
NEVE: Insane, like actually so insane. We got the offer a week after we had just played the last show in Australia with them. We had the first show the other night in Nashville, and it was one of the best shows ever. My favorite.
LUNA: Do you have any pre-show or post-show rituals or regimens to help ensure you perform your best set?
NEVE: We do have a pre-show ritual of standing around in a circle, thrusting our hips into the circle and saying ‘fuck yeah,’ three times, and then shaking our hands and legs, and then hugging and saying, ‘love you guys.’ I feel like we've played one show where we forgot to do that and we played terribly, and I reckon it's because of that.
LUNA: What can fans expect from your own headline shows in NYC, LA, and Toronto—especially following such a high-profile tour run?
NEVE: Really high energy. We usually play with Anna on guitar, but these shows Anna's off guitar, so they'll be going crazy. A lot of crowd interaction. A packed set. A live version of “BALCONY.” We're so excited, and the support we've got has been amazing. I'm so excited for those shows.
LUNA: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like for you that you would like to share with Luna?
NEVE: I feel great. The rest of the year, I think it's playing as many shows as possible and focusing on putting out as much new stuff as we possibly can—whether that be music or content—heading back to the States at the end of the year for ACL, and just finishing this Pearl Jam tour, which is so exciting.
