Haute and Freddy

Haute and Freddy are an American alternative pop duo based in Los Angeles. The group consists of vocalist Michelle Buzz ("Haute") and percussionist/drummer Lance Shipp ("Freddy"). They are known for their theatrical blend of '80s-inspired synth-pop and vintage circus aesthetics.^[1][2][3]

Members Michelle Buzz, originally from Houston, Texas, and Lance Shipp, originally from Detroit, Michigan, each moved to Los Angeles to work as pop songwriters.^[1][2] Shipp co-wrote and produced for artists including Rauw Alejandro, Britney Spears, and Calvin Harris, while Buzz wrote hit songs for Katy Perry ("Never Really Over") and Kylie Minogue ("Magic") as well as albums for Bebe Rexha.^[1][2][4] Meeting through these circles, Buzz and Shipp, feeling burnt out with their usual pop songwriting work, began spending weekends working on music together.^[1][2][5] After two years of developing the project, they debuted as Haute and Freddy in late 2024 with the singles "Scantily Clad" and "Anti-Superstar",^[1][2][6][7] the former premiered via Paper.^[6]

On Valentine's Day 2025, Haute and Freddy performed at El Cid in Los Angeles with Hayley Kiyoko in the audience.^[1] Over the course of the year, the duo toured North America, playing venues including the Troubadour,^[8] the Bowery Ballroom,^[8] and The Slipper Room,^[3] and at festivals including Electric Forest,^[2] Austin City Limits Music Festival,^[2][9] Treefort Music Fest,^[10] and Portola Music Festival.^[11][5] They also continued to release singles during the year, including "Shy Girl" (whose music video was premiered by V magazine),^[3] "Sophie",^[2][12] and "Freaks".^[13]

In January 2026, it was announced Haute and Freddy had signed to Atlantic Records, with a debut album, Big Disgrace, to be released on March 13.^[4][14] This was accompanied by a single and music video, "Dance the Pain Away".^[4][15] Consequence listed the song among the best of the week.^[15]

Haute and Freddy perform a 1980s-inspired^{[1][3][2][15]} style variously described as alternative pop,^[3][2][4] synth-pop,^[2][4][5] dance-pop,^[15][9] electropop,^[14] new wave,^[14][7] and glam pop.^[7] Their sound has been compared to Chappell Roan,^{[12][2][15][9]} Kate Bush,^[12] Soft Cell,^[2] The Last Dinner Party,^[2] Caroline Kingsbury,^[15] The Knocks and Dragonette,^[15] Goldfrapp,^[7] Eurythmics,^[7] Siouxsie and the Banshees,^[7] Ladyhawke,^[7] Madonna,^[9] and Prince.^[7]

The group is known for their self-described "18th century runaway carnie" aesthetic,^[6] utilizing a theatrical blend of Medieval, Baroque, and Renaissance fashions and carnival/circus theming.^[1][3][2][8] The Haute and Freddy characters have a loose backstory of being misfit circus runaways who antagonize aristocrats, partly inspired by old circus flyers Buzz found.^[1][2] Their fanbase is nicknamed "the Royal Court",^[1][3][2] and their live shows have been said to feature vintage-style clowns, acrobatics, and stilt-walkers.^[1][6][8] This style has been compared to Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette and to New Romantic artists such as Culture Club and Adam and the Ants.^[2]

Buzz and Shipp are musically inspired by '80s synthpop artists including Pet Shop Boys and New Order,^[1] as well as David Bowie, Kate Bush, Freddie Mercury, and Lady Gaga.^[5] Shipp grew up listening to The Carpenters and Luther Vandross.^[1] They originally bonded over a love of "theatrical music, The Phantom of the Opera, and obscure avant-garde choral pieces".^[1]

• Michelle Buzz – vocals
• Lance Shipp – drums, percussion

• Big Disgrace (2026, Atlantic)

• Official website