The 'extravagant weirdos' have descended upon us – Haute & Freddy, the dynamic pop duo from LA, are capturing hearts with their unapologetically bold sound. Michelle 'Haute' Buzz and Lance 'Freddy' Shipp's debut album 'Big Disgrace', unleashed just weeks ago, is a sonic sledgehammer that's left fans reeling. This is no gentle introduction; Haute & Freddy are here to shake things up with their infectious blend of 80s synth-pop revivalism.
The duo's playful branding, complete with the 'Haute' pronounced as 'hot', is a tongue-in-cheek rejection of pretentiousness – they're all about fun and self-expression. Tracks like the dancefloor-frenzy 'Freaks' and the cathartic 'Dance The Pain Away' are perfect examples of their vibrant sound, which fuses synth-laden melodies with fearless lyrical themes. And then there's 'Shy Girl', the earworm anthem that's garnered a whopping 80s synth-pop glitterbomb video featuring Buzz in an outrageous wig and Shipp pulling pearls from his mouth – encapsulating their delightfully eccentric aesthetic.
The coup de grâce came when Lady Gaga, pop royalty herself, publicly endorsed Haute & Freddy. The 'Poker Face' legend shared 'Shy Girl' on TikTok, confessing to spinning 'Big Disgrace' for her birthday – an unmistakable seal of approval that's catapulted them into the stratosphere. And with over a million monthly listeners on Spotify, it's clear their fanbase is growing exponentially, faster than they could have ever anticipated.
But before trading in their songwriting gigs for life as a duo, Buzz and Shipp had already made names for themselves in LA's cutthroat music scene. Buzz co-wrote hits for Katy Perry and Kylie Minogue, while Shipp contributed to tracks by Calvin Harris and Rauw Alejandro – but they soon found themselves stifled by industry expectations and the need to fit into predetermined moulds. Frustrated by their inability to incorporate their beloved 80s sound, they joined forces to create music on their own terms, unencumbered by external constraints.
Haute & Freddy's love letter to 80s icons – including New Order, Eurythmics, Phil Collins, Tears For Fears, and of course, the inimitable Kate Bush – forms the foundation of their sound. And Shipp, self-proclaimed 'music nerd' that he is, delights in sharing technical nuggets like Phil Collins' happy accident with gated reverb. Their journey from individual songwriting success to celebrated duo status is a testament to the music industry's growing acceptance of niche influences and authentic artistic expression – bypassing traditional gatekeepers in the process.