Draft:Tigertown

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Tigertown
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresIndie pop; synth-pop
Years active2011–2018
LabelsNeon Gold; Atlantic
Past membersChris Collins; Charlie Collins; Alexi Collins; Elodie Collins

Tigertown were an Australian indie pop band from Sydney, active between 2011 and 2018. Known for their harmony-driven synth-pop sound, they released a series of EPs including Lonely Cities (2016) and Papernote (2016). The group toured internationally, supporting artists such as Troye Sivan, Panic! at the Disco, Tove Lo, and St. Lucia.[1][2]


Charlie Collins performing live with Tigertown
Charlie Collins performing live with Tigertown, [2012]


History

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Tigertown formed in 2011 and quickly gained attention for harmony-driven indie pop performed by the family-based lineup. Early interviews described their unique mix of synth-pop textures and family dynamics, with What The Sound noting their blend of siblings and partners created a distinctive sound and identity.[3]

Coverage around the Lonely Cities EP (2016) highlighted their US touring, including support for St. Lucia, and their South by Southwest (SXSW) showcases.[4][5] Forte Magazine also profiled the band, emphasising their creative process and collaborative recording sessions in Los Angeles.[6] They also toured internationally as a support act for artists including Troye Sivan, Panic! at the Disco, and Tove Lo, in addition to earlier tours with St. Lucia.[7]


Notable associations

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Tigertown were connected with a number of other Australian artists during their career. In June 2012, they performed at Sydney's Hibernian House where Gang of Youths played their first live show as support. Following the performance, Tigertown’s drummer Kurt Bailey left his own performing career to become Gang of Youths’ manager.[8]

In December 2016, Tigertown headlined a national tour with Amy Shark as their support act, shortly before her breakthrough success with the single "Adore".[9]

Disbandment and aftermath

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Tigertown officially announced their breakup in early 2018, stating that after seven years the band had "reached its final destination".[10][11]

After the breakup, members pursued individual projects. Charlie Collins launched a solo career, releasing her debut album Snowpine in 2019 and a second album Undone in 2022.[12][13] Her solo work received critical attention for its personal themes and stylistic shift from Tigertown’s alt-pop sound.

Chris Collins established himself as a producer and engineer, working with acts including Gang of Youths, Middle Kids, and Skegss.[14] His production work has received industry recognition, including winning both **Engineer – Best Engineered Release** and **Producer – Best Produced Release** at the 2024 ARIA Awards for his work on Royel Otis’s debut album Pratts & Pain.[15][16] He was also named Producer of the Year at the 2025 MPEG Awards.[17]

Alexi Collins began performing under the name *The Lex Man* after Tigertown’s breakup. The project evolved into children’s music, and he released his debut album For the Kids in April 2023.[18][19][20][21]

Musical style and reception

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Reviews described their sound as bright, synth-leaning indie pop and noted an energetic live show.[22][23]

Their single “Come My Way” (2017) was described by *GRAMMY.com* as combining “warm, bouncy synths, cascading keys and an anthemic chorus” with lyrics addressing depression and emotional vulnerability, marking the band’s increasing engagement with mental health themes.[24]

Influences

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Charlie Collins has said that, growing up playing country music in Tamworth, she was always first and foremost influenced by country artists, naming Johnny Cash as a particular favourite.[25] As the band developed, their musical palette broadened. In a 2017 “Love Letter to a Record” feature, Alexi Collins described Fleetwood Mac’s *Rumours* (1977) as a benchmark for their early songwriting, vocal blending, and guitar arrangements, noting that they often asked themselves “What would Fleetwood Mac do?” when shaping their music.[26]

Other cited influences include Michael Jackson, who was described by members as a major inspiration for their approach to pop and performance, as well as Janet Jackson and Phil Collins, whose work the band have said remained part of their musical rotation during touring and recording.[27]

Discography

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EPs

Members

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References

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  1. ^ "Charlie Collins: 'It was a transactional deal to sell Sydney show tickets'". Tone Deaf. The Brag Media. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  2. ^ "Sydney's Tigertown are calling it quits". triple j. ABC. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  3. ^ "Interview: Tigertown". What The Sound. 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e Ouellette, Dan (1 March 2016). "Tigertown (Sydney) on the new Lonely Cities EP, touring & more!". The AU Review. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Welcome to Tigertown". Broadsheet Sydney. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Tigertown". Forte Magazine. 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Charlie Collins: 'It was a transactional deal to sell Sydney show tickets'". Tone Deaf. The Brag Media. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  8. ^ Brandle, Lars (30 July 2015). "How Gang of Youths Have Become Australia's Most Talked-About New Band". Billboard. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  9. ^ Baker, Daniel (22 March 2016). "Amy Shark: 'Adore' wins pop song of the year at Queensland Music Awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  10. ^ Newstead, Al (4 February 2018). "Sydney's Tigertown are calling it quits". ABC Triple J. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Tigertown Break-Up". TheMusic.com.au. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  12. ^ "Charlie Collins interview: Undone". The Music. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Charlie Collins: 'I didn't care if I lived or died'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  14. ^ "Chris Collins credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  15. ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 full winners' list". ABC News. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  16. ^ "2024 ARIA Awards Winners - The Note". The Note. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  17. ^ "Chris Collins wins Producer of the Year". Mutech Media. March 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  18. ^ "For the Kids – The Lex Man". Apple Music. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  19. ^ "for the kids – The Lex Man". Spotify. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  20. ^ "The Lex Man". Major Minor Music Australia. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  21. ^ "From teacher to performer". The Leader. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  22. ^ a b Barbieri, Paul (2 February 2016). "Album Review: Tigertown – Lonely Cities". The Music. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  23. ^ Wilson, Lauren (6 April 2016). "Review: Tigertown @ Newtown Social Club". Howl & Echoes. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  24. ^ Fabian, Renée (27 October 2017). "Australian Group Tigertown Take On Mental Health In New Single". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  25. ^ "Interview: Tigertown". Reverb Street Press. 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  26. ^ "Love Letter to a Record: Tigertown's Alexi Collins on Fleetwood Mac's Rumours". Music Feeds. 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  27. ^ UpdateFever Staff (30 July 2022). "Australian band Tigertown roars into Clifton Park with new tunes". UpdateFever. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  28. ^ "Tigertown". Discogs. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
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