This band is an improvisational, experimental, sampling, doom-industrial, jazzy, psychedelic force that you are not prepared to deal with—ever, in the entirety of your life. They are ****ing nuts, and I love them so much.
KEXP and Cheryl **ing Waters—you guys did it again! This was a couple of years back—May 2023, to be exact—when I was introduced to this band called Party Dozen. I’ll link the live KEXP video I’m talking about in this blog post.
They’re unpredictable, explosive, and completely mesmerizing—and if you’re tired of safe, formulaic music, they might just be your new obsession.
(Video Cred: Party Dozen / Youtube)
Who Is Party Dozen?
This Australian duo—Kirsty Tickle (saxophone) and Jonathan Boulet (drums/sampling)—plays a kind of music that defies easy labels. Imagine if free jazz, industrial noise, and punk had a baby, and then fed it a steady diet of adrenaline and distortion. That’s Party Dozen.
Since 2017, they’ve released four albums of improvised, sample-heavy chaos, blending:
- Saxophone skronks that sound like a fire alarm in a jazz club
- Pummeling percussion that feels like a drum kit falling downstairs
- Live sampling mangled beyond recognition
Their early work was self-released, raw, and DIY as hell. Then, after a pandemic hiatus, they came back in 2022 with The Real Work, proving they hadn’t lost an ounce of their edge.
But their latest album, Crime in Australia (2024), is where they’ve fully weaponized their sound.
(Video Cred: Party Dozen / Youtube)
Crime in Australia: My Favorite Tracks and Breaking down the Controlled Chaos
This album is a masterclass in tension and release—songs that feel like they’re constantly on the verge of collapsing into noise, yet somehow stay just coherent enough to hook you.
1. "Coup de Gronk"
The opener sounds like the score to a neo-noir heist gone wrong. Kirsty’s sax hits syncopated patterns, while Jonathan’s drums click off like a ticking time bomb. It’s the kind of track that makes you walk 10% faster just listening to it.
2. "The Righteous Front"
A swaggering, sax-driven Uber ride that feels like you had just one too many and your driver turned into a dance-punk serpent. If you’ve ever wanted to soundtrack your own personal late-night nightmare, this is it.
3. "Judge Hammer"
This one is the moment where a fictional character got pushed too far and maybe pushed their boss a little too hard out the window of their 46-story office building. Dark? Yeah, because this feels dark. Those lurking sampled undertones makes you feel like you've done something wrong and you just can't believe it.
(Photo cred: [Bandcamp/Party Dozen])
(Video cred: Party Dozen / Youtube)
Their Live Show Is a Religious Experience (If Your Religion Is Noise)
I need you to understand: Party Dozen takes it further live. Jonathan beats the hell out of his drums while simultaneously triggering samples on a Roland SP-404 (because why not make things harder on yourself?). Meanwhile, Kirsty shreds her sax like it’s a weapon, looping and distorting it until it sounds like a synth from a ’70s sci-fi horror flick.
It’s improvised but never sloppy, chaotic but never messy—a rare band that makes "What the hell are they doing?" feel like high praise.
Where to See Them Live (Because You Absolutely Should)
Right now, they’re tearing through the US:
- April 28 @ Zebulon, Los Angeles
- April 30 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York
If you’re near either city, go. This isn’t the kind of band you “catch next time.” I will however be patiently waiting until I have enough money to either drive and see them or just wait until they grace the Old Pueblo with their presence.
(Video Cred: Party Dozen / Youtube)
Why This Band Matters in 2025
Let’s be honest—a lot of music today feels focus-grouped to death. Safe. Predictable. Made to slip seamlessly into playlists without ruffling feathers.
Party Dozen does not care about your playlists.
They’re loud, weird, and unapologetic, proving that music can still be dangerous, exciting, and unpredictable. In a world where algorithms decide what we hear, bands like this are a necessary rebellion.
If you’re into:
- Noise rock that doesn’t sacrifice groove
- Jazz that’s more "free" than "elevator music"
- Live performances that feel like a controlled explosion
…then Party Dozen is your new favorite band.
These guys are making moves. If you’re looking for a new band to vibe with—something creative, something inspiring—check out Party Dozen. Jonathan’s using a Roland SP-404, for crying out loud! This is the kind of innovative, unhinged stuff I’ve been talking about. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go listen to "Coup de Gonk" for the 50th time today. Let me know what you think down below!
