aBOUT TALK HEAVY

Blending ferocity and melancholy. Talk Heavy are Meanjin’s next big heart-on-sleeve export, delivering an emotionally charged mix of alternative rock, pop-punk, and emo.

Formed in June 2022, the band - Matt Cochran (Vocals/Guitar), Patrick Shipp (Guitar), Tayla Ellerby (Bass), and Beej Vaughan (Drums) - draw inspiration from punk, emo, indie, and alternative music, crafting songs that are as raw and introspective as they are anthemic.

Their debut single Hoping The Middle and EP Jump Into Nothing were recorded at Matt’s home studio, Birthday Boy, establishing a sound that’s drawn comparisons to PUP, Cloud Nothings, Title Fight, Motion City Soundtrack, Violent Soho, and +44. After their first live shows at BIGSOUND 2022, they hit the road with Press Club on a national tour and have since shared stages with Taking Back Sunday (USA), Tigers Jaw (USA), Beddy Rays, The Smith Street Band, Sly Withers, Old Mervs, and more.

In 2023 and 2024, the band dropped their singles The Song That Plays (When Marissa Shoots Trey), The World Moved On Without Me and The Montreal Screwjob - self-produced and mixed by Cochran, with mastering by Will Yip (Title Fight, Tigers Jaw, Circa Survive). Both tracks landed national airplay on Triple J and Triple J Unearthed, further cementing their place in Australia’s alternative scene.

Now, Talk Heavy return with Die 4 U, a fast, melancholic punk anthem exploring the moment you realise you care more about someone than they do about you. In true alignment with their influences, the track showcases the band’s ability to balance high-energy pop-punk with introspective lyricism. Once again self-produced and mixed by Cochran, with Will Yip on mastering duties, Die 4 U highlights a natural progression in their sound—bigger, tighter, yet still raw at its core. ​

Fresh off supporting Origami Angel (USA) on their Australian tour and with a growing catalogue of well-crafted, emotionally charged punk rock, Talk Heavy continue to carve out their own space - touring relentlessly, evolving their sound, and staying fiercely independent along the way.