“Housework really is our story… An imperfect odd couple pushing through all life had to throw at us and coming out the other side with something unique.” – Racey Stunts
Emerging from the grim depths of a global pandemic, Housework, the latest album from electro-grunge outfit Stunts, showcases the unique vocal interplay between co-lead singers Matty and Racey Stunts and impact drumming from Pacey Stunts. Through a sonic labyrinth, the band weaves tales of longing, heartbreak, and disappointment, all from disparate yet harmonizing perspectives.
Hailing from Illawarra, an hour south of Sydney, Australia, Stunts is an experimental three-piece band weaving poignant stories of love, loss, longing, disappointment, and fiscal responsibility – themes fitting for these challenging times.
The band features an unlikely but harmonious pair of co-lead vocalists, Matty Stunts and Racey Stunts. Matty, a sensitive singer-songwriter, brings his earnest musings and diverse musical talents (guitar, glockenspiel, synth, miscellaneous), while Racey, a singer and production whiz, adds her precocious abilities (bass, synth, miscellaneous).
“Housework was an album that we thought would never be made,” Matty adds. “It kind of felt like the universe was conspiring against us. We started Stunts as covid was becoming a thing. We couldn’t play the songs live so decided to jump into the studio in between lockdowns. Then just when we were mixing the album, I had a big Ian Curtis-esque seizure…I’m a huge Joy Division fan, but that was probably taking it too far. After that we found a big old brain tumour had been there the whole time, so everything went on hold again.”
“I pretty much stopped writing completely when I became a dad,” he continues. “A couple of years turned into over a decade and when I came back to it, I was on the other side of 40 and reflecting on it all. Housework has that all in there, poking fun at myself for cooking up these impossible scenarios in my head (Impossible and Probs Not), the letdown when these crazy dreams didn’t eventuate (Disappointed, Late, Housework), and the breakups and picking up the pieces that invariably follows (No Feels and Sticky).
Housework stands as a striking critique of contemporary culture, particularly lambasting the shallowness of social media, as evidenced in tracks like “See Me.” The hypnotic and intriguing vocal interplay between the vocalists transforms the classic boy-girl duet into a haunting representation of 21st-century dystopia. The songwriting prowess showcased in the album is nothing short of impressive, with catchy hooks and gorgeous singing that make each track resonate. The pieces are full of bangers, resonating with listeners while offering a deeper exploration of modern malaise. Stunts have masterfully infused their album with fresh energy and insight to create an album that is both contemporary and timeless.
During the difficult period of creating the album, Racey faced personal challenges that extended beyond the music. As a young mother running a household with minimal support and caring for a special needs son, the stress at times became overwhelming. There were moments when it all got too much for her, compelling Racey to step back, walk away, and reassess her situation. Her struggles added another layer of complexity to the process, reflecting the real-life challenges that can intertwine with artistic pursuits.
With an eclectic range of influences that include the dark and existential post-punk of Joy Division, and the ethereal artistry of Kate Bush, Matty name-checks his influences from artists such as Nirvana, The Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Nick Cave, emphasizing their impact on his songwriting approach. The angst, loud guitars, and strong lyrics have remained integral to their creative process. When writing “Housework,” he collaborated with an old cyberpunk friend who introduced them to drum machines, synths, and samples. This experience led to a fusion of styles as the “old grunge rocker” began to experiment with more electronic sounds and ‘playing to the grid.’
“Most of the songs on Housework are dark duets, crying out for another perspective. And Racey absolutely brought that authentic new perspective and life experience,” he concludes.
Listen below:
With the assistance of various collaborators—including special acknowledgments to Gertie and album producer Matt Fell—Stunts stands eager and prepared to unleash their distinctive sound upon an unsuspecting public, embodying a sonic experience that mirrors the complexities of our modern era.
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