I’m not really sure what we’re supposed to be at 24, but the headlining emotions seem to be confusion mixed with elation, randiness and disorientation. We seem confused about who we’re meant to like and love and where to channel passion, where to channel frustration, what behaviour to let slide, and what behaviour to criticise, but at least we’ve always got some gritty and rocky country music to sway along to as we stutter our way through the day.

Whatever we find ourselves doing in this almost transitional state of purgatory, we are always propelled to move forward, step by step, by great love. And this is what The Slingers explore with gusto and grace on their singles from their first album, Sentimentalism.

Last Saturday night, the heavens scheduled a quick reprieve from pouring down on Melbourne and I found myself hungry, heartbroken and with $38 to my name, watching the Slingers perform at the Brunswick Ball Room. With each soaring guitar slide and lyric delivered with utmost gusto, I gently swayed and locked arms with my pal, feeling a small part of my soul heal again.

It was the first Friday night of September and footy finals fever was in the air, yet my mind remained on other things. I was seeing a band who would prove to be worthy adolescent reincarnations of the messiah, who were also partial to some flirting in denim. Enter, Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers.

It was the battle of the decades in the Workers band room on the night of Friday the 13th. Jervis Bay charmers Debbies fused their Skeggs-reminiscent-surf-punk with looking like they’d just strolled off the set of Puberty Blues, whilst front-woman Hallie appeared like a late 90s fever dream sporting Gwen Stefani No Doubt era vibes, and finally, the cheeky Adelaide duo TOWNS stayed true to blink-182 influences in baggy trousers and flannies and performed a phenomenal cover of Smashmouth’s ‘Allstar’.