Housewife, a Toronto- based indie rock outfit, led by 20-year-old solo artist Brighid Fry (she/they), has recently released the music video for their single, “Fuck Around Phase,” and announced a North American tour with Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini. Housewife’s songwriting intertwines timelessness with thought-provoking perspectives on AFAB experience in a male-dominated industry. Fry is also an advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and environmentalism, holding up her activism as a founding member of the Canadian chapter of Music Declares Emergency. Continue reading to learn more about Brighid Fry’s approach and passion for tackling change through her music.

Where are you based?
I’m based out of Toronto, Canada, but I travel to Nashville a lot to write and record my music.

What inspired you to begin writing and performing your own music?
I never really had a moment that “inspired” me, I’ve just been writing songs since I was just a little kid, and it’s always felt like second nature to me. That being said, my father and grandfather are writers and I grew up going to music festivals literally since I was a baby so it’s something I’ve always been around.

How has your music evolved since the release of your debut EP in 2017?
I feel like it’s changed in almost every conceivable way. I was 13/14 years old writing those songs, so not only have I greatly changed as a songwriter, but also just as a person. One thing that has definitely stayed the same though is how much I love playing with harmonies.

Your new single “Fuck Around Phase” is out now and your next single “King of Wands” will be out soon. Can you tell us more about these songs?
Yes! I’m super excited for “King of Wands” to be out. These songs represent a new phase for me musically, letting myself be a little more bold with my music. Where they fit together musically, “Fuck Around Phase” was song about having fun and letting loose, whereas “King of Wands” has a bit more of a complex message. It is inspired by both tarot cards, and the Greek myth of Cassandra. It’s about the importance of trusting your own experiences, and listening to and sharing women’s stories.

With your music, you often touch on the experience of being a young, queer, AFAB person existing in a male-dominated industry. What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I don’t think I write songs with the intention of people taking a message from it. I’m just writing about my experiences, and what’s important to me. Hopefully though, other queer and AFAB people will be able to relate to my music and feel heard or supported by it.

How have you seen the industry change for female musicians since you started?
I’ve been very lucky to be surrounded by awesome women in the music industry from a young age, so I’ve been pretty insulated from the harder parts of the industry. That being said, I feel like I’ve been seeing even more women behind the scenes as producers and engineers recently which is always exciting.

You’re an advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, womxn’s rights, reproductive freedom, and environmentalism in and outside your music. What inspired you to become an advocate for these important issues?
Nothing specifically inspired me to. It was never, like, a conscious choice. They’re just important issues and I think it’s important for everyone to use whatever platform they have to try to make change.

You have played at numerous Women’s Day events and even raised money for Unist’ot’en Camp and Climate Justice Toronto. Can you tell us a bit about why these are important to you?
Yeah! I think a lot of the problems we face, especially the climate emergency, are a result of colonialism and patriarchy so it felt important to connect all of these together in that fundraiser. I am happy that the climate movement has evolved a lot over the past ten years so that social justice and climate are increasingly linked. It’s infuriating that the Canadian government tramples on Indigenous rights to continue resource extraction and I’m inspired by the commitment and resolve of the land and water defenders in Wet’suwet’en.

You are a co-founding member of Music Declares Emergency’s Canadian Chapter. Can you tell us a bit about this organization and what inspired you to co-found it?
Music Declares Emergency Canada (MDE Canada) is an independent group, created by artists, music industry professionals and organizations concerned at the lack of a cohesive, industry-wide response to the climate emergency. I helped start it because I have grown up in the climate movement and started going to climate strikes in 2018, but, because I was busy, I couldn’t get as involved as I would have liked. I did get to perform at the concert that was a part of the 2019 global climate strike and connecting with other musicians there was kind of the catalyst to the meetings that led to us starting a chapter of Music Declares Emergency in Canada.

You got to speak and perform at the Canadian Climate Summit. Can you tell us about this experience?
The Climate Summit was such an incredible and inspiring day! David Suzuki was one of the keynote speakers and there were so many thoughtful, smart presenters and panelists. I spoke on a panel with other artists and got to play at the concert. It felt really great to get a bunch of people together in the same room who feel passionate about this issue and are working in the music sector in some way.

Your mom, Kim Fry, is a notable climate activist. How much has she influenced your activism? Do you two team up a lot?
Definitely not as much now that we live in completely different parts of the country, but yes my mom is a big inspiration for me. She also works on MDE Canada. She’s great at getting shit done!

What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced while working to create a greener music industry?
I think a big challenge is getting people to acknowledge the seriousness of the issue and commit to taking steps collectively. I think it’s easier for some people to think about the climate crisis as something that can be solved by making small lifestyle changes, but unfortunately that’s not the case. Because the music sector was so hard hit by Covid, there are some people who believe we can put off addressing the climate, but, the truth is, in Canada we are very far behind the industry in other parts of the world, especially Europe and the U.S. As a new, young and emerging musician, I don’t have a lot of pull or influence and I hope that those who do will step up to help us move from declaring the climate emergency towards taking action.

How do you think the music industry can become more sustainable?
That’s a tough question to answer succinctly! There are tons of changes that can be made — there are lots of ways to cut down on emissions from touring or make merch more sustainable, but we also need to do work at the policy level to get governments to better invest in public transportation, bike lanes etc. Musicians can use their platforms to help put pressure on the government to actually make these changes.

How would you like to see the average person be more green?
The most important thing the average person can do is recognize that although changes they make in their own lives do matter (eating more local and plant based food, driving less, buying less stuff, flying less) it is actually collective choices that matter. We need system change and to stop subsidizing oil and gas. We need to make political and policy changes that stop giving money to fossil fuels and extraction projects. Listen to music and artists who are making music about the climate emergency and support organizations that are doing the work to impact policy change.

What advice would you give to other young queer artists trying to make it in a male-dominated industry?
You are never in this alone. Find and build a community. Look for mentors and people who want to help you because they believe in your music.

It has been a rough few years, how have you been staying positive?
SSRIs! No, I’m kidding. That’s only part of it. I’m lucky that I get to do something I love for my job, so that’s a big help. Also participating in activism can be very uplifting. A good way to feel better is to feel that you’re doing your part, and surround yourself with others who care for the same things you do! I also really love biking. I’m very lucky to live in a super green part of my city, biking by the lake or river is always refreshing and uplifting.

What is your motto in life?
I’d love to say I have a motto, but I really don’t! I’m a very “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of person.

To learn more about Housewife, please follow the links below:
housewifeband.com
Instagram: @housewife_band
Spotify: Housewife

Photo Credit: Luke Rogers

Housewife - Making Music For Change