Bag Raiders are an Australian electronic music duo founded in 2006 by Jack Glass and Chris Stracey. They play keyboards, drums, and act as vocalists, producers, and remixers, with Stracey additionally playing guitar, violin and piano. They also write and produce other artists' work. In 2009, they were rated at number 11 on the Inthemix poll of Australia's top 50 DJs.[1]
In October 2010, they released their self-titled debut album, which peaked at number 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart and received a J Award album of the year nomination. The album's song "Shooting Stars" renewed the band's popularity seven years after its release, when it began being used as part of a popular Internet meme.
History
Both classically trained musicians, Jack Glass and Chris Stracey met in the Cranbrook School, Sydney orchestra practice room with Glass a year ahead playing piano and cello, and Stracey playing violin, guitar and clarinet.[2] In 2005, the pair reconnected and started mixing hip-hop and 1970s rock music CDs,[3] their musical inspirations include Earth, Wind & Fire, The Brothers Johnson, 808 State and Orbital.[4][5][6] Bag Raiders as an alternative dance band was then founded in 2006.
The duo first gained traction in with the release of their October 2008 EP Turbo Love!.[7] The EP's title track became one of the year's most played songs on Triple J, Australia's foremost national radio station.[5] During this time Bag Raiders were making a slew of remixes some of which gained a lot of popularity on the internet. Their remix of "B.T.T.T.T.R.Y." by the artist K.I.M. ended up being included in the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack[8]
In October 2010, Bag Raiders released their self-titled debut studio album, Bag Raiders. It peaked at number 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart. "Sunlight", was released to Australian radio in November 2010 and it peaked at No. 84 on the ARIA Top 100.[11]
In 2011, "Way Back Home" peaked at number 17 on the official German Singles Chart on 6 June 2011 after being used in the German Vodafone TV advertisement[4][12]
In August 2013, "Shooting Stars" re-entered the ARIA Singles Chart, reaching the top 50 at #38.[13]
In 2017, "Shooting Stars" became popular again after being placed in an internet meme featuring people as well as animals falling with surreal, spacey backgrounds.[14] The song's renewed popularity has since been acknowledged by the band itself.[15]
In September 2019, Bag Raiders released their second studio album, Horizons.
The ARIA Music Awards are annual awards, which recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.
