Christopher Stracey

Biography

Christopher Stracey is an Australian composer, record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, widely recognized for his work in electronic music as one half of the duo Bag Raiders, and increasingly for his compelling film and television scores. Based in Los Angeles, California, Stracey brings a unique blend of classical training and modern electronic sensibilities to his diverse projects.

Early Musical Foundations:

Stracey's musical journey began at a young age with classical training. He studied violin, and later expanded his instrumental repertoire to include guitar, clarinet, saxophone, and keyboards. This broad musical background provided him with a strong understanding of melody, harmony, and orchestration, which he later seamlessly integrated with the possibilities of electronic music production.

Bag Raiders: Electronic Pop Success:

Christopher Stracey gained significant international recognition as one half of the Australian synth-pop/dance music group Bag Raiders, which he formed with Jack Glass in 2006. The duo's breakout track, "Shooting Stars" (2009), became a global sensation, accumulating billions of online streams and earning platinum and gold records in multiple countries. Bag Raiders have continued to release EPs and albums, including their self-titled debut in 2010 and "Horizons" in 2019, showcasing their evolving sound and dancefloor roots. They also launched their label, Broken Head Records, in 2022.

Transition to Film and Television Scoring:

In recent years, Stracey has made a significant mark as a film and television composer, often collaborating with Este Haim. His work in this field demonstrates his ability to create evocative and fitting musical landscapes for a variety of genres. His notable scoring credits include:

• Maid (2021): The hit Netflix limited series, co-scored with Este Haim.
• Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022): This film, also in collaboration with Este Haim, won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
• War Pony (2022): Scored alongside Mato Wayuhi, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was awarded the Caméra d'Or.
• Manodrome (2023): A drama/thriller.
• Fingernails (2023): An Apple drama sci-fi feature.
• Anyone But You (2023): A romantic comedy, co-scored with Este Haim.
• Suncoast (2024): A drama feature for Searchlight Pictures, again in collaboration with Este Haim.

Versatility as a Producer and Songwriter:

Beyond his compositional work, Stracey is a prolific songwriter and producer, working across various musical genres and styles. He has collaborated with a diverse range of popular artists, including Orville Peck, Ellie Goulding, Westside Boogie, and Diplo. In 2023, he released his first solo record, "Music for Growing Plants," showcasing his exploration into different sonic worlds using both organic and electronic instrumentation.

Christopher Stracey's career is a testament to his musical versatility, seamlessly moving between chart-topping electronic pop and critically acclaimed film scores, solidifying his position as a dynamic and innovative force in the music industry.