Black Honey (band)

Black Honey is a British four-piece indie rock band formed in Brighton, England in 2014. The band is composed of lead singer and guitarist Izzy Baxter Phillips, guitarist Chris Ostler, bassist Tommy Taylor, and drummer Alex Woodward, who joined the group after the departure of Tom Dewhurst.[1][2][3] [4]The band released an eponymous self-titled debut EP in late 2014 followed by a series of singles leading to the release of self-titled debut album in 2018.[5]

Black Honey
Black Honey performing live at Southside Festival 2019
Background information
OriginBrighton, England
GenresAlternative rock, indie rock, psychedelic rock
Years active2014–present
Labels
  • Duly Noted
  • Foxfive Records
Websiteblackhoneyuk.co.uk
MembersIzzy B. Phillips
Chris Ostler
Tommy Taylor
Alex Woodward
Past membersTom Dewhurst

In early incarnations, Black Honey were partly defined by their signature guitar sound which evokes spaghetti westerns, Tarantino movies and Twin Peaks type connotations. Although this sound continues to be present in the latest material, the band's repertoire in this aspect has expanded since the middle of 2017. Through 2014 to 2017, Black Honey's output consisted of the regular release of Singles and EP's. The EP "Black Honey" was released in 2014, and the EP "Headspin" followed in 2016. One of the characteristics of these releases was the vinyl format, featuring ambitious artwork by Olivia Savage, which remains an emblematic element of a Black Honey "physical copy".

The self titled debut album was released on 21 September 2018, it reached number 33 in the UK album chart, despite being unsigned to any major record label.[6] The album is wide-ranging in its genres, borrowing elements from pop, hip-hop, indie and rock. With this album, the band have clearly pursued a more ambitious objective than previously.

The band personnel are protective of their creative control and this may be one reason why they remain unsigned so far by a "big label". The band members are directly involved in aspects of music and video production in collaboration with their chosen directors / producers. Also with other artistic content, for instance - fashion, publicity and album art.

Black Honey have - following the end of "covid19 1st wave lockdown" in the UK - released two new singles during 2020, leading into the anticipated likely release of a second album in early 2021.

History

2014

Self titled debut EP was released early 2014 on CD and 12" vinyl formats. It featured the songs Sleep Forever, Teenager, The Taste and Bloodlust. [7][8] A second Black Honey single was released in October 2014. It was released as a 7" vinyl and featured songs bloodlust and Corrine acoustic. [9]

2015
  • Tour dates: 19/01/2015 Lexington | 20/01/2015 The Old Blue Last | 03/02/2015 Red Rooms Nottingham |
  • Tour dates: 08/04/15 Birmingham - supporting Superfood 09/04/15 London - supporting Superfood 25/05/15 Focus Wales Festival 02/05/15 Live at Leeds 03/05/15 Live at Glasgow 14/05/15 - 16/05/15 The Great Escape Festival 30/05/15 Wychwood Festival 22/07/15 Croatia Rocks 24/07/15 Secret Garden Party 31/07/15 2000 Trees - July 2015 Y Not Festival 01/08/15 Standon Calling 02/08/15 Kendal Calling Sunflower Lounge Birmingham, Sunday 18 October 2015 [10]
  • Black Honey generated a lot of interest in the media during 2015.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]
  • Black Honey single Spinning Wheel[21][22]
  • Black Honey single Madonna.[23]
  • Black Honey were invited to do a prestigious BBC radio 1 Session for Huw Stephens.
  • Black Honey got a break supporting Superfood at The Rainbow Warehouse Birmingham on Wed 8 April 2015[24]

2016
  • UK Tour took place.
  • Black Honey generated much interest in newspapers and in the blogspace during 2016. [25][26]
  • Black Honey were invited to support Catfish And The Bottlemen on their UK tour.[27]
  • Their second EP, "Headspin" was released.[28][29][30][31]

2017
  • Headline UK Tour [32]
  • NPO 3FM Festival - Netherlands
  • Black Honey generated much interest in the media worldwide during 2017.[33][34]
  • UK and Europe arena tour supporting Royal Blood [35]

2018
  • Black Honey touring the UK in 2018: | The Rodeo 16 March 2018[36] | 09/05 Welly Club, Hull | 10/05 Sugarmill, Stoke | 11/05 The Leadmill, Sheffield | 13/05 The Globe, Cardiff | 14/05 O2 Academy 2, Oxford | 15/05 Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth[37]
  • Black Honey featured in many newspaper and blog interviews during 2018.[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]
  • Black Honey released their first album on 21 September 2018. [49][50][51][52][53][54]
  • Black Honey embarked on an autumn tour around the UK in 2018 to promote their debut album.[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70] [71]
  • Black Honey went on a European headline tour later in 2018: Friday 2 November, Le Botanique Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, Belgium | Saturday 3 November, Bitterzoet, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Monday 5 November, Molotow Skybar, Hamburg-Nord, Germany | Tuesday 6 November Cassiopeia, Berlin, Germany | NOV 8 THU MTC Club, Koln, Germany | Friday 9 November, LE GIBUS, Paris, France[72]
  • Black Honey released a single Crowded City, with accompanying video during November 2018.[73]

2019
  • The band were reported to be writing and recording songs for a second studio album predicted to be released early 2020.
  • NME Front cover stars. Long read. April 2019.[74]
  • Black Honey continue to tour during 2019, selling out most venues. Headline spring dates include: | Esquires, Bedford 29 April 2019 | Sugarmill, Stoke 30 April 2019 | Caves, Edinburgh 1 May 2019 | Grand Social, Dublin 2 May 2019[75] | Live at Leeds (UK Festival) Saturday 4 May 2019 | Handmade Festival, Leicester (UK) on Sunday 5 May 2019 | Joiners, Southampton on 6 May 2019[76] | The Forum, Tunbridge Wells on 7 May 2019 | The Boileroom, Guildford on 8 May 2019.
  • New song, "I Don't Ever Wanna Love" was being played during live setlists.
  • During UK tour: Black Honey additional YouTube material : "le Crousti Garçons".[77][78]
  • The Great Escape, Brighton, 10 May 2019.
  • Midnight video nominated at the Berlin Music Video Awards.[79]
  • Poltimore Festival, Exeter, 26 May 2019.
  • Spring Tour, European leg: | Dauwpop Fest, Netherlands. 30.05 | Vestrock Fest, Netherlands 31.05 | Hurricane Festival, Scheeßel, Deutschland 21 June 2019 | Privatclub, Berlin 22.06 | Southside19, Neuhausen, Deutschland on 23 June 2019 | Chelsea, Vienna 26.06 | Cafe V Lese, Prague 27.06 | Exil, Zurich 28.06 | Rock Werchter Fest, Belgium. 30.06.[80]
  • Summer 2019 dates: | Y Not Festival, Matlock, Uk, 25-28 July 2019 | Neverworld Festival, Edenbridge, Uk, 1-4 August 2019 | Grape Festival, Slovakia, 9 August 2019 | Summer Well Festival, Domeniul Stirbey, Buftea, Romania, Sunday 11 August 2019 | Reading Festival, Uk, 23 August 2019 | Leeds Festival, Uk, 24 August 2019 | Lost Village, Lincoln, Uk. 22-25 August 2019 |
  • Black Honey release a music video for new single "I Don't Ever Wanna Love" featuring an art deco Ibiza hotel during the video, Friday 14 June 2019.[81][82][83]
  • Tom Dewhurst leaves the band, to be replaced on the drum kit and percussion by Alex Woodward.

2020
  • First gig of 2020. First also with new band member Alex Woodward on drums. Green Door Store, Brighton (29 January 2020).[84]
  • News (July 2020): Like most other bands, Black Honey have been prevented from gigging and touring by covid19 restrictions so far this year (2020).
  • New single release, July 2020, "Beaches".[85][86][87][88][89][90]
  • Black Honey release a music video for new single "Beaches". Directed and produced "in house" by the band during covid 19 restricions. 29 July 2020. [91]
  • DIY 100th issue party. A live gig under covid19 compliant distancing conditions. Black Honey headline on Wednesday 9.9.2020.
  • New single release, (18th) September 2020, "Run for Cover".
  • Video for Run for Cover released 25 September 2020. Filmed in an empty working men's club. Directed by Sam Kinsella. Production & Styling: Craig Hemming.[92]
  • Black Honey announce their 2nd studio album "Written & Directed". The album is scheduled to be released on 29 January 2021. Latest: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band have been forced to reschedule the release of the new album to March 19th, 2021.

2021
  • Black Honey affected by UK Covid-19 lockdown. No gigs. No touring atm.
  • New single release, (8th) January 2021, "Believer".
  • Release of 2nd album - coming March 19th.

Musical style and influences

An (Alternative) (Indie) Pop Rock Band. Initially, the band themselves, describing their own music, used the phrase "the sweet taste of darkness".[93] Some have described their style to be reminiscent of Nancy Sinatra, Mazzy Star, Blondie and Lana del Rey. By 2019 and 2020 they are more difficult to pin down and embrace a wider range of genres.

Band Members
  • Izzy Phillips - Lead Vocals, Guitar
  • Chris Ostler - Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizers
  • Tommy Taylor - Vocals, Bass Guitar
  • Alex Woodward - Drums

Discography

Studio albums

EPs
  • Black Honey (2014)
  • Headspin (2016)
  • All My Pride (2017)

Singles
  • Sleep Forever (Demo) / Teenager (Demo) (2014)
  • Spinning Wheel / Madonna (2015)
  • Corrine / Mothership (2015)
  • All My Pride / On Your Time (2016)
  • Hello Today / Ghost (2016)
  • Somebody Better / Cadillac (2017)
  • Bloodlust / Ghost (Acoustic) (2017)
  • Dig / Corrine (Acoustic) (2017)
  • Midnight / I Only Hurt The Ones I Love (2018)
  • Blue Romance / Crowded City (2018)
  • I Don't Ever Wanna Love (2019)
  • Beaches (2020)
  • Run For Cover (2020)
  • I Like The Way You Die (2020)
  • Believer (2021)

Music videos
Title Year Directed
"Hello Today"[94] 2016 Nadia Lee Cohen
"Somebody Better"[95] 2017
"Dig"[96] Shaun James Grant
"Bad Friends"[97] 2018 Black Honey
"I Only Hurt the Ones I Love"[98] Sam Kinsella
"Midnight"[99] 2018 Shaun James Grant
"Crowded City"[100] Sam Kinsella
"Baby"[101] 2019
"I Don't Ever Wanna Love"[102]
"Beaches"[103] 2020 Black Honey
"Run For Cover"[104][105] Sam Kinsella
"I Like The Way You Die"[106] 2020 Frances O’Sullivan
"Believer"[107] 2021 Sam Kinsella

Awards and recognition
  • The gig at Concorde 2 on 14 October 2018 was lauded in the press as one of the finest of the year.[108]
  • The video for Midnight is nominated for best art director at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2019.[109]

References
  1. "Interview: Black Honey - M Magazine". M magazine: PRS for Music online magazine. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  2. Lester, Paul (4 December 2015). "New Band of the Week: Black Honey". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  3. "Black Honey showcase new bangers at riotous Brighton homecoming | NME". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  4. Subscribe. "Black Honey announce departure of drummer Tom Dewhurst". diymag.com. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  5. "Black Honey interview: Having a vagina in music can be f****** scary". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  6. "Black Honey". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  7. "Article: Black Honey - Indeep music". 11 January 2015.
  8. "Record Review: Teenager - The 405". 5 August 2014.
  9. "Article: Black Honey - blahblahblah Science". 24 October 2014.
  10. "Live review: Black Honey Sunflower Lounge Birmingham". 18 October 2015.
  11. "Black Honey - Bloodlust - single release". 12 January 2015.
  12. "Review: Black Honey - Culture Trip". 2 December 2016.
  13. "Review: Bands you need to see at reading and leeds - Wow". 12 August 2015.
  14. "Review: Black Honey - Alphabet Bands - Review". 4 December 2014.
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  17. "Preview: Black Honey - Reading & Leeds Festival - Amazing Radio". 24 August 2015.
  18. "Review: Black Honey - Leeds Festival - Amazing Radio". 2 September 2015.
  19. "Review: Black Honey - Amazing Radio". 16 March 2015.
  20. "Most Blogged Artist of 2015 (UK blogs) - Black Honey - BBC". 13 December 2015.
  21. "Review: Black Honey - Gron Artist Spy". 19 March 2015.
  22. "Record Review: Spinning Wheel - The 405". 8 April 2015.
  23. "Review: Black Honey Madonna - Eleven pdx". 1 July 2015.
  24. "Live review: Black Honey Superfood The Rainbow Warehouse Birmingham". 18 October 2015.
  25. "Black Honey - Vocesajenas Review". 4 December 2014.
  26. "Interview: Black Honey - Amazing Radio". 7 March 2016.
  27. "Review: Black Honey - Turtle Tempo". 7 March 2016.
  28. "Review: Black Honey Headspin EP - The Review". 25 May 2016.
  29. "Review: Black Honey - Beat surrender". 29 March 2016.
  30. "Review: Black Honey - Nicorola de". 29 March 2016.
  31. "Review: Black Honey All my Pride - DIY". 29 March 2016.
  32. "Black Honey announce March/April UK tour". Dork. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  33. "Interview: Black Honey - LMS". 14 June 2017.
  34. "Review: Black Honey supporting Royal Blood at Brighton - Brighton's Finest". 5 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 December 2018.
  35. Subscribe. "At The Drive In and Black Honey are supporting Royal Blood!". diymag.com. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
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  37. "Feature: Black Honey Northern exposure". 21 March 2018.
  38. "Feature: Black Honey Lock Interview". 16 March 2018.
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  40. "Interview: Black Honey - Evening Standard, Go London". 16 February 2018.
  41. "Interview: Black Honey - Audio Addict". 20 April 2018.
  42. "Interview: Black Honey - Outline Norwich". 1 October 2018.
  43. "Interview: Black Honey - Strong Island". 30 April 2018.
  44. "Live review : Black Honey at Cardiff - Popped music". 20 May 2018.
  45. "Live Review: Black Honey Concorde2 Brighton - Brighton & Hove Independent". 30 August 2018.
  46. "Feature: Black Honey - Peace and Indiependence". 22 June 2018. Archived from the original on 9 December 2018.
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  48. "Review : Black Honey - Indie Central Music". 13 January 2018.
  49. "Album review : Black Honey - Sound of Violence" (in French). 21 September 2018.
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  51. "Album review : Black Honey - Nieuweplaat" (in Dutch). 22 September 2018.
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  53. "Album review : Crowded City, Black Honey - BRASH! Magazine Music Blog". 23 September 2018.
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  58. "Live review : Black Honey at Norwich - DIY". 30 October 2018.
  59. "Live review : Black Honey at Leeds - Little Dose of Indie". 8 November 2018.
  60. "Live review : Black Honey at Leeds - Loose Cardigan of Ideas". 21 October 2018.
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  65. "Live review : Black Honey at Stereo Cafe Bar - The Modern Record". 20 May 2018.
  66. "Live review : Black Honey, Rescue Rooms - The Mic Magazine". 25 October 2018.
  67. "Live review : Black Honey, Electric Ballroom - Sync Music". 25 October 2018.
  68. "Live review : Black Honey, Electric Ballroom - Highwire Magazine". 25 October 2018.
  69. "Live review : Black Honey at Electric Ballroom - When the Horn Blows". 27 October 2018.
  70. "Live review : Black Honey in London - Dork". 12 November 2018.
  71. "Photo blog : Black Honey at Electric Ballroom - Upset". 30 October 2018.
  72. "Live review : Black Honey in Paris - Sound of Violence". 20 November 2018.
  73. "Video review : Black Honey, Crowded City - Far Out Magazine". 1 November 2018.
  74. "Video review, article : Black Honey, NME". 4 May 2019.
  75. "Video review : Black Honey, Dublin - Indie Buddie". 4 May 2019.
  76. "Gig review, article : Black Honey, The Edge". 13 May 2019.
  77. "Video review : Black Honey, le Crousti Garçons". 4 May 2019.
  78. "Video review : Black Honey, le Crousti Garçons". 4 May 2019.
  79. "Video Awards, Black Honey, Berlin Music Video Awards". 17 May 2019.
  80. "Hidden gem: Black Honey at Rock Werchter, article : Black Honey, Festileaks". 16 May 2019.
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  82. "Black Honey unveil the most ostentatious Video of the year, 'I Don't Ever Wanna Love' - DIY Mag". 14 June 2019.
  83. "Black Honey are back with a new single, 'I Don't Ever Wanna Love' - Dork". 14 June 2019.
  84. "Gig review : Black Honey, Green Door Store (NME)". 3 February 2020.
  85. "Apple playlist: Black Honey, playlist". 30 July 2020.
  86. "Music review : Black Honey, The Fortyfive". 31 July 2020.
  87. "Music review : Black Honey, Sound of Brit". 30 July 2020.
  88. "Music review : Black Honey, NME". 29 July 2020.
  89. "Music review : Black Honey, Fuzzy Mag". 29 July 2020.
  90. "Music review : Black Honey, The VLM". 2 August 2020.
  91. "Beaches - Vevo Youtube Video". 29 July 2020.
  92. "Single video : Black Honey, Run For Cover". 25 September 2020.
  93. "Black Honey At Bournemouth 60 Million Postcards". AfterDark.co. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  94. "Video: Black Honey - Hello Today". 5 October 2016.
  95. "Video: Black Honey - Somebody Better". 24 April 2017.
  96. "Video: Black Honey - Dig". 10 November 2017.
  97. "Video: Black Honey - Bad Friends". 3 May 2018.
  98. "Video: Black Honey - I Only Hurt the Ones I Love". 28 June 2018.
  99. "Video: Black Honey - Midnight". 10 August 2018.
  100. "Video: Black Honey - Crowded City". 27 November 2018.
  101. "Baby (Valentines Video) - Vevo Youtube Video". 14 June 2019.
  102. "I Don't Ever Wanna Love - Vevo Youtube Video". 14 June 2019.
  103. "Beaches - Vevo Youtube Video". 29 July 2020.
  104. "Run For Cover - Youtube Video". 29 July 2020.
  105. "Run For Cover - Vevo Youtube Video". 25 September 2020.
  106. "I Like The Way You Die - Vevo Youtube Video". 28 October 2020.
  107. "Believer - Vevo Youtube Video". 8 January 2021.
  108. "Review: Black Honey - Favourite Gig of 2018 - Brighton's Finest". 10 December 2018.
  109. "Video Awards, Black Honey, Berlin Music Video Awards". 17 May 2019.
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