gender stereotypes – Get In Her Ears

A cacophony of raw vocals, thumping beats and swirling guitar riffs, Cork art-punk trio Pretty Happy have shared their latest single ‘Sea Sea Sea’. Through raucous, contrasting rhythms and their blend of chaotic, melodic voices, the band take a dive into the murky waters of gender stereotyping, dismantling misconceptions about queer identity against a cathartic backdrop of post-punk noise.

Formed of Abbey Blake (guitar), Arann Blake (vocals, bass) and Andy Killian (drums), Pretty Happy have been busy cutting their teeth on the DIY Irish music and arts scene over the last few years. Abbey is a founder of Angry Mom Collective, a movement set up to challenge the gender imbalance in Irish arts, whilst Arann and Andy are keenly involved in the local drama and film scenes. Together, the trio combine their talents to create their distinctive sounds and ‘Sea Sea Sea’ is another eccentric taste of what’s to come from the band’s upcoming EP due for release later this year.

Delivering lines like “Your daughter wants to ride a motorcycle / You can’t handle it / She’s your only son,” in their direct, Cork intonation, the band attempt to subvert gender norms and erode the ignorance surrounding queer stereotypes, with the accompanying video reflecting this struggle. Directed by Abbey – who was nominated for Pinewood Studio’s ‘Lift Off First Time Film Makers Festival’ award for her work – the visuals show the protagonist digging into the sand before running full pelt into the sea to wash away the limiting and damaging tropes the band sing of.

Watch the video for ‘Sea Sea Sea’ below.

Follow Pretty Happy on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

A vibrant pop tune that challenges gender stereotypes, Berlin based duo Everything and Everybody have shared their latest single ‘Lifequake’. Blending jazzy beats with alt-pop melodies, the pair playfully question the expectations that heteronormative society imposes on individuals when it comes to their gender identity.

“The song challenges not only what is seen to be stereotypically female, but also what’s supposed to be stereotypically male,” the duo explain. “The song lists a few clichés. That of a passive woman: romanticising, emotionally stirred up. In need of a man’s confirmation in order to develop her self-esteem. And that of an active man who fights his way through life: lonely, cool, closed-lipped. For him everything is a fight, and he must emerge as the winner in order not to appear weak. Questions are posed. ‘Are you a girl?’, ‘Are you a boy?’. There’s no valuation intended, it’s more an invitation to questioning so-called female and male behavioural patterns, which are consciously or unconsciously, in any case unquestioningly accepted and passed on. The chorus pleads for living the way you are and feel, without being reduced to stereotypical patterns.”

The track is accompanied by a colourful, kaleidoscopic set of visuals that also reflect the tunes buoyant nature. With a sound that’s based on “chemistry, attitude and humour,” Everything And Everybody’s future musical offerings look set to be just as joyful and carefree as this one. Listen to ‘Lifequake’ below and follow the band on bandcamp, Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Tag: gender stereotypes

Track Of The Day: Pretty Happy – ‘Sea Sea Sea’

Track Of The Day: Everything And Everybody – ‘Lifequake’