Sounds Like: The Big Moon, Sunflower Bean, Wolf Alice
We are beyond excited to share that this month’s Band of The Month are none other than Brighton-based royalty, Black Honey! We have watched this band age like a fine wine over the years and we’re so chuffed to see how far they’ve come. We caught up with their feisty front woman Izzy B Phillips and talked about Debbie Harry, slasher movies and the female gaze (amongst many other very important topics).
Huge thanks and snaps to our Nakisha Kiely for this awesome illustration also!
Hey Izzy! How are you guys doing today?
I wanna say good but I also can’t lie. We are grieving a close member of our Black Honey world. Things are hazy but will be okay.
Oh shit, so sorry to hear that! Sending positive vibes ❤️ Please can you introduce yourselves to our readers:
I’m Izzy I play guitar and sing I am also joined by Chris who plays guitar Tommy who plays bass and Alex who plays drums.
Lovely stuff. Can you please briefly describe your sound?
We sound like a slasher movie written for the female gaze.
Nice. How did you guys meet?
University.
How have you been coping with these continuously mad times? Where were you based during lockdown?
I was based in Crawley at home with my mum and spent a few months in a bubble in east London. Lockdown is something I still feel like I am coming back from. I’m lucky in so many ways, I got to spend a lot of time with my mum and I got a lockdown puppy she’s called zero and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I did a lot of slugging around, I did get very low and un-creative. I felt like I met a different version of myself for the first time. A me that was really raw, it was definitely growth but not something I would choose to put myself through again.
You recently released your incredible sophomore album ’Written & Directed‘ – can you tell us a bit about the story behind the release? Are there any themes running through it?
I like movies and feminism so I wanted to make something that felt like it could repurpose the gaze. It’s still all truthful and insights to how I see things. I love this record cause it’s exactly where I was at the time.
Do you have a favourite song from the album? Ours is probably ‘Believer’ or ‘Back of The Bar’:
Oh sick yeah I love playing ‘Believer’ live, I also love ‘I Do It To Myself‘ cause I find that one quite challenging!
We’ve proudly been fans of yours since your ’Teenager’ days – how do you think your sound has changed over the years?
I think we all love the same stuff, we probably have changed but in a very non linear way! I’m all over the place at the best of times and so are my songs.
What’s your songwriting process like?
I used to write a lot on my own with an acoustic guitar but I hate doing that now I love working with people and watching the magic and speed of a song coming to life.
We were lucky enough to see at Concorde 2 back in 2018 – what’s your favourite thing about Brighton?
The progressive people who understand climate crisis and equality for minorities.
AMEN! Who would you say are your biggest influences?
Kurt Cobain!
Izzy – we are OBSESSED with your style and have lowkey been trying to copy for many years… who (if any) are your fashion inspirations?
I love Debbie Harry, Edie Sedgwick and Elvis.
Makes perfect sense. What advice would you give artists starting out in the music industry?
Hahaha I’d say don’t even bother. Unless you will literally die if you don’t.
Haha noted. Are there any emerging local artists you’d recommend?
Wet Leg? They are too big now to be emerging probably! I love Phoebe Green and Chilli Jessen.
What are your plans for the rest of 2021?
We have some really exciting shows to announce! A live stream show we did with amazon music and lots of making songs to be done!
Any final pearls of wisdom?
Tell your friends you love them!
Always. Thanks so much Izzy! You guys are ace xxx
Thanks so much for having me it’s been wild!