Racketts new EP titled Ready or Not will be released today, September 15th. The four-piece Australian girl group exudes what Rolling Stone Australia calls "trashy-pop." The physical release of Ready Or Not features handmade sleeves made from upcycled materials which will be sold at their upcoming EP launches in Australia. Rackett perfectly blends a vintage mod aesthetic with 1970's punk and 1990's pop musical influences. With heavy driving drums, thick bass lines, rhythmic guitar, and pop-inspired vocals, their music certainly makes an impression.
The Spice Girls, The Runaways, and Blondie come to mind when Rackett disrupts your speakers. Their band dynamic is empowering rather than competitive, placing emphasis on working together and supporting each other. Read on to learn about their influences, band history, style icons, and to listen to Ready or Not.
Are you guys all originally from Sydney?
We come from all over the place! Ally and Astrid are from Sydney's lower north shore, Rebecca from Bundaberg (QLD) and Kat from the USA.
How did you guys meet?
We were all on the local music scene. Bec was jamming with other musicians and going to local gigs, looking to put together a new band. She ended up at a party where she saw our bassist Ally playing. Bec and Kat had previously played together in another band. Astrid and Kat had also played together in a band before both joining forces with Bec and Ally. It was all about timing.
Who are your inspirations?
Each other.
Who are some of your style icons?
Debbie Harry, David Bowie, The Spice Girls, Fran Dresser (The Nanny), Grace Jones.
Could you tell me about your upcoming EP, Ready or Not?
We are releasing our debut EP Ready or Not, hosting two launch parties, one on the 22nd September at Yah Yahs in Melbourne and the 23rd of September at The Chippo Hotel Sydney. We'll are playing with some great bands and artists; Ok SURE, Turtle Skull, S.A.S, Pan Pacific Grand Prix, BABEY and the Dark Hawks. After that, we'll be touring regionally with Killing Heidi. We've spent a bunch of time in the studio recently, already preparing the next EP, so there's a lot happening in the Rackett world that we are keen to share!
Do you find that people seem to underestimate you guys as female musicians?
Depends on how you view it. There are pros and cons for both males and females depending on the situation. We aren't focused on what other people think of us, it's none of our business.
What are you guys listening to right now?
Bec: Mick Jagger -Gotta Get a Grip. Ally: Sir Robin & the Longbowmen Astrid: I See Stars Kat: D'Angelo
What does each of you bring to the table?
Between us, we have a lot of musical experience which unifies us. Bec and Ally have musical theatre backgrounds, and Kat and Astrid have immense training in all levels of music including engineering so that only makes it better.
Do you have any advice for other girl bands?
Be good at whatever you do.
