Tahlia Borg, one half of the punk rock duo, talks pop influences, new music, and life on the road
Tahlia Borg is calling from her car, just outside her workplace in Adelaide. With only 20 minutes before her shift starts, we’re squeezing in a quick chat. “I work at a little music store selling instruments,” she says, “I’m literally just about to go in for my shift.”
“I don’t want to keep you too long,” I note, conscious of the ticking clock. “That’s alright,” she replies. “My bosses are pretty chilled and musos too.” Borg adds that her bandmate Cahli Blakers is probably still asleep.
This interview just marks another interesting turn in the multitude laden career of Teenage Joans.
Borg and Blakers first met in 2018, when a mutual friend introduced them at Northern Sound Systems. From that moment, it felt like fate had brought them together. Their shared love of 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) cemented their bond.
“When we started this band, 5SOS were definitely the biggest influence,” Borg explains. “In fact, I think if 5SOS didn’t exist, we wouldn’t be in this band. All I wanted was to be in a band, hanging with my best friend—and I got it.”
Both Borg and Blakers were inspired by the way 5SOS started so young and managed to create a lasting legacy. Borg reflects on how much of an impact that had on her own career. “I loved the way their music evolved, how they were constantly inspired by new things. It’s something we’ve always wanted to do.”
However, Teenage Joans’ influences have since broadened. “I love Midwest emo and pop-punk,” Borg says. “I’ve been listening to a lot of Hot Mulligan lately. And, of course, Paramore.”
These diverse influences have undeniably shaped the sound of Teenage Joans. This got me wondering though about their new sound. It’s been some time since their last release, The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest. So, I ask, could 2025 be the year for new music?
“Last year, we were literally just on tour. It’s super hard to record when you’re always on the road. We lived most of the time in an RV across America. It was me, Cahli, our tour manager, our driver, and a photographer. It was super fun but also super draining. This year, though, we’re hoping to spend more time in the studio.”
Looking ahead to 2025, the band will be performing at Great Southern Nights, where they’ll play the Hamilton Station Hotel. With a lineup that includes Full Flower Moon Band, Babe Rainbow, and Alison Wonderland, they’re in good company. They may even pull out a few surprises.
The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest made an immediate impact upon its release, particularly the title. It’s a phrase that invites multiple interpretations. Borg explains the significance:
“It’s a lyric in ‘Ruby Doomsday,’ one of our songs. It represents two different sides. It’s not a pretty name, but it shows how something can affect you and grow into the person you are. It was also just a cool name. We were like, ‘That’s kind of slay.’”
Since the album’s release, Borg has had people approach her on the street to share their own interpretations of the title, which she finds quite moving. The rollout of the project was interesting too. Borg and Blakers decided to make a film alongside the album.
“We’re just massive fan girls at the end of the day. We love Halsey, 5SOS, Melanie Martinez. I love looking at visuals just as much as I love listening to the music. So, that’s why we created a film.”
The duo’s main goal for the film was simple: to create something they would want to watch themselves. This mentality seems to embody the entire ethos of Teenage Joans’ career. They’ve grown from teenage fan girls into fully fledged musicians. Having been on the other side of fandom, they understand what fans want from their favourite artists—and they try to deliver the same for theirs.
Teenage Joans will be performing at the Hamilton Station Hotel in Newcastle on March 28. Tickets can be purchased here.
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