Honeyblood

Glasgow two piece Honeyblood are poised to release their second album Babes Never Die and they’re heading out on their biggest headline tour to date, calling in at the Arts Centre on their way. We’re expecting great things from their new album as the debut got near perfect reviews from the likes of the Uncut and Mojo. Supported by the amazing PINS who played Norwich Sound & Vision last year and sponsored by DIY Magazine, this will be a show to remember. I spoke to lead singer and founding member Stina about their intense, catchy doom/disco/punk/folk tunes, and how it felt to support the Foo Fighters last year.

You used to be in a band called Boycotts, but how did your love for music start?

My dad plays guitar and it’s always been very important in my family. My mum’s a big music lover as well and they listened to very different things that I was exposed to. There were always guitars in our house, that was the main thing, and I wasn’t forced to make any music at all but it was always there. If I was inquisitive about something my dad would always give me a little lesson or sit me in front of the sound system and ask what I could hear in the songs, so I got really good at being able to pick out different instruments and train my ear. It wasn’t until I went to high school that I started investigating bands myself and getting into them. I was fortunate enough to have some really good music teachers that helped to put me on the path I’m on now.

Your music’s really strong, and reminds me of Belly or Breeders a bit, or Liz Phair. How did you come up with your own unique sound – did it take a long time to find your identity?

All those acts you’ve just mentioned are pretty much what I was into at school! There weren’t a lot of other people who were into girls screaming; I used to hang about with boys and they’d say “what are you listening to..that’s horrible!” I really identified with it though..I never had a sweet voice and I wasn’t good at guitar but I just wanted to play big chords and make a noise. That’s where my style came from. I tried the whole acoustic singer/songwriter thing for a while but it didin’t feel like it fitted me. So when I started Honeyblood, wrote some songs, got a new electric guitar and an overdrive pedal I realised this was what I wanted to do when I was 14. I always think the influences you find by yourself - your first ever favourites are always the ones that stick by you.

Scotland is well known for having a strong and supportive network of musicians, bands and labels. How much did having a strong scene up there help you when you started Honeyblood?

Yeah it was. The scene is quite healthy but it’s small and everybody already knew I’d been in Boycotts so when I said to everyone I was writing songs for a new band they said let us know when you’ve set everything up and we’ll put on a gig or help you. The sfirst or second gig that Honeyblood ever played was a showcase for Born To Be Wide which is for young musicians and that’s where we met Alex from Fat Cat Records. I guess if you put the groundwork in and you have the network to support you it’s great.

How come you called your album Babes Never Die, and who is the little girl on the cover?

The title is my own mantra that I’ve said to people about five years – it’s based on self respect and confidence, not letting anybody shoot that down. I actually had it tattooed on me two years ago before the song was written so I had to make sure the song was a good one when I wrote it as it was forever on my skin! It was the first one we wrote for the album, and the punchiness of it sets the goalposts for the rest of the album. The little girl is called Darcy – I thought of the cutest most innocent thing you can imagine which was little girls, but people underestimate their strength. I thought it was a really good image for the front cover as it says everything I wanted our album to say.

There seem to be a few bands around now who only have two members - Royal Blood, Slaves and yourselves being just some. Was it a deliberate move from the start to be just a duo?