With COVID-19 cases on the rise, social distancing still at an all-time high, and many pubs still unable to serve up a steamy hot schnitty and schooner – life has been looking pretty gloomy lately.
That’s why finding a giggle where you can is of utmost importance. Cue Jack Steele and Matt Ford of comedy duo The Inspired Unemployed. Listen to our chat below:
With hundreds of thousands of social media followers, these Aussie larrikins know a thing or two about finding light during dark times, and sharing it with the world.
Last September, Steele and Ford found social media fame with their ‘squad stroll’ video set to the Hall & Oates classic ‘You Make My Dreams Come True’ adding to their already-impressive Instagram following, and quickly growing their TikTok following to over 423,000.
“To be honest, we like Instagram – because it’s so much effort already,” Steele said. “But then TikTok is massive, everyone is on it. It’s now bigger than Instagram, we should probably take it more seriously.”
There’s an element of cheeky self-deprecation in The Inspired Unemployed’s videos that clearly resonates with an Australian audience. “We kind of rip on ourselves,” Steele explained. “People might look at us and think we’re surfy dudes, but they see us ripping into ourselves – then they’re a bit more lenient.”
While Steele and Ford are happy to take the piss out of themselves for the sake of a laugh, they’re mindful of treating their audience with respect. “You’ve got to think about how your jokes will affect people, and if they do, you pull out of it,” Ford said. “We don’t want to hurt or offend anyone.”
“If we get one bad review or message, we get pretty rattled,” admits Steele. “We want to be funny without paying people out or being mean.”
In recent times, The Inspired Unemployed have gone from social media comedy stars to unlikely fashion icons with a GQ cover and affiliations with Vogue. “We got lucky there,” Steele said. “We’re full-on tradies – your average boardshorts and Billabong-shirt wearing guys.”
They might be humble, but the Inspired Unemployed aren’t afraid of expressing themselves through fashion and style. “If you look good, you feel good,” Steele explained. “Why not wear whatever you want?”
“If you don’t feel like talking, your clothes will talk for you,” Ford added.
As for how the pair have managed to keep their content light and survive iso, Ford suggested, “just don’t take shit too seriously. You’ve got to be able to relax and have a laugh – life’s alright.”
The Inspired Unemployed have also kept busy in iso by crafting a song for Klarna Australia with the help of Thandi Phoenix and Tuka. Check out the music video for ‘I Get What I Love’ below.
Always be in the loop with our snackable podcast breaking the biggest story of the day. Subscribe to It’s Been A Big Day For… on your favourite podcast app.