Get ready to rock out with Toronto-based indie rock starlet Housewife as they unveil their latest single, “F**k Around Phase,” now available online. Produced by Gabe Simon and featuring a co-write from singer-songwriter Savana Santos, this new release marks a more intentional and mature sound for the musician.
The infectious track is driven by distorted guitar riffs and pop-infused melodies, creating a sound that is both gritty and catchy. With lyrics about learning to enjoy life after going through tough times, they deliver a message of embracing imperfections and living in the moment. It’s the musician’s first release since 2022’s You’ll Be Forgiven, a four-song EP that helmed several standout cuts such as “Bones (God Like You)” and “Spent” to name a few. So far, it’s shaping up to be a good run as the artist uses her vocal melodies as a vehicle of expression.
“It has always felt more comfortable and safe to stay behind that singer-songwriter label, but I’ve reached a point in my life where I don’t want to care what people think of me,” Housewife shared. “These last six months or so I’ve really just decided to make whatever music I want, regardless of what genre people might think it is or of whether they think I’m good enough to play it. “
We had the pleasure of chatting with Housewife on the heels of the release to get all the deats on how the record came about, foraying into the rock genre, and her plans for the year. Continue scrolling to read our conversation.
How would you describe the evolution of your music from your self-titled EP to this latest single, “Fuck Around Phase”?
While I think there has been a big change to my music, I also think it’s been a very natural and gradual one. I started releasing songs when I was like 12, and am now a full adult! It’s interesting because while my sonic influences have changed, I still see a lot of the same influences in my songwriting now compared to when I was 13-14.
While my new music may be more rock driven, I still love open tunings and drawing from poetry, both things I credit Joni Mitchell as an inspiration for. I think you can still see those throughlines in my new work.
What inspired you to pursue a more indie-rock driven sound on this particular record?
I started going to girls’ rock camp at age eight and was really inspired by riot girl at a young age, my dad used to play me a lot of old-school punk as a kid, and being a devoted and long-time fan of Buffy, I’ve grown up listening to a lot of 90s alt-rock and grunge. That love for rock has always been there, but as an AFAB person, it can be really intimidating to do anything heavy or rock oriented.
It’s so commonly seen as a “guys” genre, and that can be really discouraging. It has always felt more comfortable and safe to stay behind that singer-songwriter label, but I’ve reached a point in my life where I don’t want to care what people think of me. These last six months or so I’ve really just decided to make whatever music I want, regardless of what genre people might think it is or whether they think I’m good enough to play it.
Can you walk us through the creative process behind making new music these days—how frequently do you get new ideas and how many of them usually make the final cut?
I think my inspiration ebbs and flows, and often my ideas kind of blur together so it’s hard to quantify my ideas. But pretty much every day I find myself working on an idea, whether that’s an idea I was working on on a previous day or not.
Obviously, a lot of ideas don’t make the cut in their exact form, but almost any idea or inspiration I have will at some point morph into something new. Often it will take me three or four tries to get what I want out of an idea, so it’s interesting, I can see the influence of the stuff that doesn’t make the cut in the material that does. I think of it in terms of reusing scrap fabric or materials in a physical art piece.
I know earlier this year you embarked on a bit of a book-a-thon, reading various novels and so forth. How’s that been so far, and where do you draw the comparison to literature and music?
It’s been going good! I think I’ve read about 17/18 books so far this year. It’s interesting because I’ve always been a voracious reader, but I’ve never really found a direct connection between novels and music for me. I know a lot of songwriters draw inspiration for songs based off of media and books, but I’ve never really felt the urge to do so even though it’s really cool. I will say though, that I do attribute some of my interest in writing to my father who is a poet, and my grandfather who is a novelist. I think it’s really cool that as three generations we have found ourselves telling stories, all just in different ways.
As an artist or creative in general, sometimes it can feel like steering a ship with no destination. Where do you find the confidence to keep going?
Yeah, it can totally feel like that and be really tough. For me it’s not really about confidence as much as it is about the fact that I really f**king love doing this, and if you love something enough you’ll keep going even if you feel discouraged. I’m also really lucky that I’ve gotten to work with a lot of amazing artists and people, so even if the industry can feel really exhausting and stressful, I like people that I’m being exhausted alongside, and I find myself inspired by their perseverance. Hopefully, it’s like a symbiotic perseverance and inspiration relationship.
What advice would you give to other young, marginalized, or queer artists looking to make their mark in the music industry?
I don’t know how much advice I have other than try to surround yourself and make connections with people you believe in and who you know are comfortable and supportive of your identity. At the same time, not everyone you work with will come from the same background as you, so it’s important to find a fine line between being strong about who you are and not taking shit from people about your identity, while also trying to meet people where they’re at. But mostly, just never shut up about who you are! Almost all my songs come from the lens of being an insufferable feminist, and I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon.
Finally, what’s next for Housewife? What do you look forward to the most this year?
I know this may be an obvious and generic answer but I am just really excited about my new music coming out this year. I’ve had so much fun making it. I would say I’m also excited to keep collaborating with cool people- I feel like I learn so much from every writing or recording session I do. Lastly, I’m looking forward to potential music videos- anyone who knows me knows I’m a bit of a film nerd, and a lot of my songs have hidden references in them that might not be obvious, so I’m excited to potentially explore those references in a visual format.
