Old Mervs Hottest Hopes

With voting for this year’s triple j Hottest 100 closing today, we check in with old mate Old Mervs to find out what it would mean to be the first artists from Kojonup to make the countdown

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We’ve been fans of Kojonup’s finest indie rock duo Old Mervs for a few years now, with the pair of David House and Henry Carrington-Jones going from strength to strength both in the studio and on the live stage, having supported the likes of Liam Gallagher, The Wombats, Spacey Jane and King Stingray, and playing festivals including Groovin the Moo, Yours and Owls and Splendour in the Grass.

The guys wrapped up a massive 2023 by releasing their highly anticipated sophomore EP, Give It Up (that they took us through track by track here). Written during a relaxed writing session by the coast in southern WA, the EP is the result of refining sounds and concepts that have arisen over the last few years, delivering five tracks of heartfelt, anthemic and propulsive indie rock (plus a cheeky cover of Stuck In The Middle With You).

Kicking off the EP is fan favourite Sweetheart, the record’s lead single and stand out cut. Having racked up over a million streams on Spotify alone as well as radio play around the country on both community radio and of course, triple j, making it their strongest chance to be voted into this year's Hottest 100.

With the guys having just wrapped up the first leg of their regional tour and hottest 100 voting closing today, January 22 at 5pm AEDT, we caught up with Dave & Henry to find out what they’ve been up to and just what a slot in the countdown would mean to them.

Hey guys! How’s your summer been?

Summer’s been a fun one for sure, plenty of time off and plenty of time recording and playing gigs!

With a huge 2023 under your belts, what would you say was the highlight?

Highlight would definitely have been the tour we played with King Stingray our brothers, massive venues and a lot of fun drinking beers with em all!

You guys were kind enough to take us through your latest EP track by track when it dropped a couple of months ago - how’s it feeling now the record’s been out for a while?

It’s been great having the record out for a while now. It’s always awesome seeing the response to tracks live after we’ve released them and having people singing along is awesome!

What would it mean for you guys to be the first artists from Kojonup to hit the Hottest 100?

It would mean a lot to us in terms of the funny side of being from a small town like Kojonup. But it’s been one of the more important things for us in terms of our beginnings, what we’ve taken on from being there and growing up in Kojonup. It’s also sick to see people from the area happy for us - jumping onboard and getting around us just because they have a connection from home.

What are your earliest Hottest 100 memories?

Was actually being at Dave’s house one year and playing cricket at the Koji crickets nets when we were like 16 and then listening to the rest at home before stealing a beer each!

Apart from Sweetheart (and the rest of the EP!), what are you guys voting for?

The Grogans, Beddy Rays, Little Guilt, Belair Lip Bombs and of course King Stingray.

What’s on the cards for 2024?

2024 is a lot more touring and a heap more fun and even some new music!!! Stay tuned and keep an eye out there’s a lot planned already and much more to come through as the year goes on I’m sure.