What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.
I had the secret desire to make music since I was very young, perhaps 10 years old or younger. I would have been inspired by the music I loved throughout my childhood. I wasn’t sure how I would go about it but I knew it was something that I wanted to do. Although I did perform a little as a teenager, it took me until I was at least 20 to feel like it was something I could pursue. Like most people I followed a winding path in order to get to the decision to release music as Honey Gentry, via a brief detour to film school and another musical project. I blame fate for my current incarnation.
Provide us with some info about your latest release…
My second EP, Dreamlover, will be out 22 August. I think the EP is in the same world as last year’s Moonlight EP – but exploring some different corners. I wanted to explore some new topics. Dreams, ambition, the past, the future. It’s another project by me and Ruben – all recorded in a bedroom in Kilburn. I’m really proud of it. I think we matured in the sound as well as the lyrical themes.
Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?
Many of the artists and bands that I grew up listening to are still pretty influential to me – Gwen Stefani, Hole, Queens of the Stone Age, Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley, Nine Inch Nails, Joan Baez, Lana Del Rey, Stevie Nicks, Bobbie Gentry of course. Most of what inspires me about these artists is their vision and storytelling. Outside of music I’d say my biggest inspirations would be people who are remembered by those who survived them for their spirit and kindness, like Sharon Tate. She’s been on a lot of people’s minds lately with the 50 year anniversary and Tarantino’s movie and so on. I just hope people remember and acknowledge what a light she was in the world by all accounts of those who knew her.
In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?
I think most artists are linked musically, usually by shared influences, shared sounds, or shared ambitions; none of us create music or any art in a vacuum. But I think the way in which I perhaps offer a different angle is that I really try to build the world of the music and craft something of the whole project to get lost in. I’d say my sound is dreamy, contemplative, music for thinking or daydreaming to. Maybe someone should take a listen if they are driving along the coast or walking along a beach and want to just think about life. Those are the moments I try and make music for.
Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…
3 Desert Island albums would be Jeff Buckley’s Grace, Hole’s Live Through This, No Doubt Rocksteady.
3 movies would be Girl Interrupted, American Beauty and Donnie Darko, just because they remind me of being a teenager.
3 books would be The Highly Sensitive Person, Quiet, and the Bell Jar.
Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?
This time last year I probably would have said ‘studio’ without thinking about it, because I’ve always been such an anxious performer; but in the last year or so I’ve really come to enjoy performing live in a way that I didn’t before. I enjoy both. I love being in the studio mindset because I love creating and writing and producing. But I enjoy bringing the songs to life and connecting with other people in the room with a live performance.
Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?
Maybe not a funny story, but I’ve really come to appreciate the truth in the power of holding a mental image in your mind and absolutely not letting go of it no matter how unrealistic it seems. This year, things that I’ve dreamed of happening for many years – like holding a vinyl pressing of my music – have come to fruition in the most unexpected ways. By saying yes to one opportunity that came out of the blue, my goal of holding a vinyl pressing came to be. Many strange things along that vein have happened to me so far.
Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?
I would say Dreamlover is my most unique so far, really in the sense that it’s different from anything I’ve released to date. I think we explored something different, there’s a softness and a darkness to it in the production and the lyrics. I think we’re really starting to hone in on the Honey Gentry sound.
Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?
I’m already working on more music! All I can say at the moment is I plan to keep going.
Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…
hmm… I’ve not yet been asked the best advice I’ve ever received.
And it’s “don’t waste your days”.
Curated by: Christos Doukakis
Recommended listening:
Connect with Honey Gentry:
https://www.facebook.com/honeygentrymusic