Parsnip

Parsnip, an Australian quartet, merged garage rock, early post-punk, and indie pop elements into their distinctive sound while delivering lyrics and vocals that projected a childlike viewpoint untouched by twee mannerisms. Ahead of the 2019 album When the Tree Bears Fruit — an effort resembling the soundtrack to an old illustrated children’s volume filled with forests, wee tigers, and exuberant dancing — the group issued two promising singles.

The Melbourne-based outfit came together in early 2016 with Paris Richens handling bass, lyrics, and vocals, Carolyn Hawkins on drums, Stella Rennex covering guitar and vocals, and Sequoia Harris on organ; their first live appearance took place that June. Although Richens had worked with Hierophants, Hawkins with Chook Race, and Rennex with the Dandelion, the four chose to form a shared project. Harris exited after several months, after which Rebecca Liston from the darkwave duo Buzz Kull joined.

In that revised lineup they cut a self-titled single for Anti Fade in late 2017 and traveled across Australia on the Gizzfest tour. The following year Anti Fade released their energetic single “Feeling Small.” Even as Parsnip attracted wider attention, the members sustained outside commitments: Hawkins launched School Damage, Richens stayed active with Hierophants, and Rennex participated in the psychedelic pop combo Bananagun. In August 2019 the band delivered its debut album, When the Tree Bears Fruit, through Chicago’s Trouble in Mind label.