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The Beths

The Beths - Liz Stokes

Liz Stokes

Vocals, Guitar

The Beths - Jonathan Pearce

Jonathan Pearce

Guitar, Vocals

The Beths - Benjamin Sinclair

Benjamin Sinclair

Bass, Vocals

The Beths - Tristan Deck

Tristan Deck

Drums, Vocals


Formed: 2014
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Genre: Rock, Power Pop, Indie Rock, Indie Pop
Years Active: 2014 -
Meaning of the Name: Named after vocalist Elizabeth Stokes
Primary Songwriters: Stokes (vocals), Pearce (arrangements)
Labels: Carpark, Ivy League, Rough Trade, Anti-

Essential Releases

The Beths - Future Me Hates Me

Future Me Hates
Me (2018)

Debut album. Anxious and energetic effort. Jangly guitars.

The Beths - Jump Rope Gazers

Jump Rope
Gazers (2020)

More introspective. Slower songs. Dreamier.

The Beths - Straight Line Was a Lie

Straight Line Was
a Lie (2025)

Back for another lap. Power pop, harmonies, and self-doubt


The Beths are a band for people who feel the fear and do it anyway. Their self-deprecating and insightful lyrics present depression in an atypical way, contrasting the themes with upbeat music that sidesteps morose minor keys. In their place are energetic, jangly guitars, and layered four-part harmonies that evoke nervous energy or loneliness in crowds.

Formed in Auckland, New Zealand by four university friends, The Beths take their name from singer-songwriter Elizabeth Stokes, but are more than a one-woman band. Each member studied jazz at the university's music department, equipping them with a technical fluency that enriches their particular brand of power pop. They employ such jazz techniques as sophisticated harmonic shifts, extended chords, and interwoven backing vocals that each have distinct melodic lines.

These elements shine brightest live, where the band deliver near-perfect replicas of their studio tracks. Contrasting this professionalism is a relatable demeanour that sees them appearing in shorts and pastel hues instead of theatrical costumes; their good‑natured grins disarming the formality of the stage. The Beths smile so much that it's easy to see them as charming sitcom characters, playing catch in the backyard before accidentally stepping on a rake.

This is where the contradiction at the centre of the band comes in. Accompanying the high-tempo music is a sardonic wit that adds wistful layers of meaning to their songs. When Stokes sings of understanding love, on 'Expert In A Dying Field', it's too late to savour the results:
"Love is learned over time
'Til you're an expert in a dying field"
Additionally, the album cover for Future Me Hates Me (2018) shows a woman unable to look at herself in the mirror, while her scolding reflection stares straight back. However, the framing here is optimistic, as 'future' Beth is disgusted by her counterpart in the present, suggesting that she sees the future as a time of improvement.

This unusual tendency to oscillate between worry and hope reflects the bittersweet roots of foundational power pop bands such as Big Star and The Raspberries, while also being true to the anxiety of recent times. The Beths remain active, with four remarkably consistent albums to their name.


Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
85

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies, detailed music etc.
75

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
70

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
65

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
95

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
90

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
75

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
85

Singing

i Technical attributes.
85

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
90

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
70

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
70

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
90

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
60

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
35

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
70

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards

Certifications

Charts >>>

  • Jump Rope Gazers - Number 2 in New Zealand
  • Expert in a Dying Field - Number 1 in New Zealand
  • Straight Line Was a Lie - Number 5 in New Zealand

Critics >>>

  • Stereogum - Expert in a Dying Field - Best Albums of 2022: 7th

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