MusicFreaks

Tag: Freaks

  • Dive into Haute & Freddy’s inspirations on ‘Juggling Practice’, an exclusive playlist to accompany The Cover

    The world of pop music is constantly churning out new sounds, but sometimes, the most captivating stories are written in the spaces between the notes. This week, we dive into the dazzling, imaginative world of Haute & Freddy, a duo who have not only carved out a unique niche for themselves but have also masterfully spun an irresistible narrative that blends circus flair with pop sensibility.

    As part of NME’s commitment to discovering emerging global talent, Haute & Freddy are featured in the latest edition of The Cover. This weekly showcase spotlights artists pushing boundaries, and their profile, penned by Nick Levine and illustrated by Kristen Jan Wong, offers a vivid glimpse into their vibrant artistic universe.

    But their story goes deeper than a magazine spread. It’s about finding creative synchronicity in a competitive scene. Long before the pandemic shifted the landscape, vocalist Michelle “Haute” Buzz and drummer-percussionist Lance “Freddy” Shipp had been orbiting each other for years, sharing scenes and songwriting sessions that nurtured an undeniable connection.

    It wasn’t until the global pause of the pandemic that this connection crystallized into a powerful partnership. Tired of being confined by high-pressure artistic demands, they realized they could finally let their musical imaginations run wild. As Lance Shipp recalls, they decided to simply ‘play’ rather than chase external goals, which gifted them the freedom to create music entirely on their own terms.

    This newfound freedom led to an audacious creative pivot. Instead of adhering to conventional structures, they began inventing their own world. Inspired by an old-timey circus flier, Buzz suggested a visual aesthetic for their sound that reflected wild imagination and theatrical spectacle. This impulse became the foundation for Haute & Freddy—a duo who built elaborate characters and an outlandish backstory.

    The seed of this narrative blossomed with their debut single, ‘Scantily Clad,’ released in late 2024. The lyrics didn’t just tell a song; they launched them into the world of circus lore, positioning the duo as figures upsetting the queen and the nobles. This concept immediately engaged their audience, turning fan comments into a living, breathing narrative.

    Today, Haute & Freddy celebrate this whimsical journey with an exclusive playlist titled ‘Juggling Practice.’ The mix is a delightful collision of high-energy pop and theatrical history. It features three tracks from the duo—‘Dance The Pain Away,’ ‘Freaks,’ and ‘Shy Girl’—juxtaposed seamlessly with iconic tracks from ’80s legends like Kate Bush and Depeche Mode, alongside the sounds of drag queens Devine and Violet Chachki.

    For those looking to immerse themselves in their unique sound, the playlist is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

    Haute & Freddy prove that the most compelling music often emerges when you stop trying to fit into a box and start letting your inner circus run free. Their story is a vibrant reminder that true artistry lies in embracing the wild, unpredictable joy of self-invention.

    Credit: NME

  • Step right up! Haute & Freddy’s pop circus of wild imagination awaits

    Haute & Freddy are not just a musical act; they are a celebration of gloriously extravagant weirdness, crafting synth-pop anthems that blur the line between high camp and profound emotional honesty. This Los Angeles duo views themselves as musicians for other flamboyant outsiders, delivering club-ready catharsis with tracks like ‘Freaks’ and ‘Dance The Pain Away.’

    Their sound is steeped in the glittering nostalgia of the 1980s, weaving classic influences from artists like Kate Bush, New Order, and Phil Collins into a uniquely dazzling package. Their latest offering, ‘Fashion Over Function’, showcases this lustrous new wave nugget while maintaining a playful spirit that deliberately sidesteps snobbery—a subtle nod to their playful moniker, where the “Haute” is playfully mispronounced as “hot,” rather than high fashion.

    The visual identity of the band is as colorful as their sound. The video for their most-streamed track, ‘Shy Girl’, introduces a world bathed in glitter and theatricality: vocalist Michelle “Haute” Buzz is encased in a giant birdcage and an orange wig, while dandyish drummer-percussionist Lance “Freddy” Shipp pulls pearls from his mouth. This whimsical aesthetic perfectly captures their fanciful backstory as “runaway carnies,” who cause delightful havoc among the court.

    The duo cultivates a loyal following they call “the Royal Court,” a name that nods to their fictitious history. While rooted in theatrical flair, their music possesses an unexpected depth. The vulnerability in their work allows for potent emotional resonance. Buzz shared how ‘Shy Girl’ became a vital outlet for processing personal struggle, using the song as a “lantern” to address self-hate and depression. This openness reveals that their art is not just spectacle but genuine therapy.

    The creative bond between Haute & Freddy deepened over years, evolving from professional collaboration into a true partnership. Both founders shared an affinity for music training in church and choral work, grounding them in live performance, while simultaneously embracing the magic of musical theatre. This shared history manifests in their creation of ‘Symphony For A Queen’, a baroque opening song that effortlessly shifts between Broadway ballad and spangly toe-tapper.

    Their journey from individual songwriting to a unified force was fueled by a desire for freedom. Tired of being boxed in by high-pressure industry demands, they opted to create music without rigid goals, allowing their musical imaginations to run wild. This liberating approach gave them the space to invent their own narrative and characters.

    The band’s lore is wonderfully open-ended, resisting easy definition. They remain ruminating over where their circus characters might go next, preferring to let their story evolve organically rather than settling for a fixed plot. This freedom has empowered them to connect deeply with their audience, who embrace their eclectic world and supportive spirit.

    Haute & Freddy continue to embody the power of authentic expression in an often demanding industry. By serving as a vibrant voice for the Royal Court, they remind us that finding community and letting your true self shine is the most powerful anthem of all.

    Credit: NME