Stereo Total

Formed in 1993, the Berlin-based duo Stereo Total, comprised of Françoise Cactus and Brezel Goring, embraced a diverse range of influences in their subversive pop music, blending punk, hip-hop, disco, and more into a trashy yet smart style. Their early albums like 1995's Oh Ah! were vibrant collages of discarded styles, followed by more sophisticated releases like 1999's My Melody and 2001's Musique Automatique, all marked by their catchy pop sensibilities and commitment to challenging societal norms. Over the years, Stereo Total expanded their repertoire to include film scores and pensive albums like 2019's Ah! Quel Cinema!, showcasing their evolution while maintaining their distinctive trash-pop aesthetic.

Stereo Total's manifesto advocated for cheap gear and flea market-found influences, setting them apart from mainstream trends, as they became a fixture of Berlin's music scene and signed with Bungalow Records. The duo's output, including albums like 1995's Oh Ah! and 1997's Monokini, showcased their playful yet innovative approach, with later releases like 2005's Do the Bambi and 2016's Les Hormones continuing to push boundaries. Beyond music, Stereo Total ventured into film soundtracks, notably for Underwater Love in 2011, further demonstrating their versatility. Despite the passing of Françoise Cactus in 2021, Stereo Total's legacy endures through retrospectives like Chanson Hysterique, honoring their influential first decade of boundary-pushing music.