“I’ve played in bands before,” says Honeyblood’s frontwoman Stina Tweeddale, “And I just feel like no matter how good a musician is, it means nothing unless you connect with the people you’re playing with.” The Scottish singer and guitarist met drummer Shona McVicar about two years ago, and in that short time frame they’ve developed a definite connection, initially bonding over the guitar pop of Best Coast and Jenny Lewis. The duo spent their early years doing everything themselves, self-booking shows in their hometown of Glasgow and recording their debut release straight to cassette in a bathroom. Underneath the tape hiss and crunchy sound, Honeyblood proved early on that they loved a good pop hook, dressing it up with distorted guitars and drums.
Late last year, the band recorded with Peter Katis, a producer who helped soften the edges for bands like the National and Interpol. Likewise, he and the band scraped away some of the dirt from Honeyblood’s songs, highlighting the sweetness while maintaining the power that Tweeddale and McVicar can bring with just guitar and drums. While the self-titled debut doesn’t see a release until May 20, we’ve got a preview of the record in time for the band’s first ever SXSW. “Bud” hits hard, alternately chiming and roaring. The crystalline sound matches Honeyblood well: no bathroom “recording studio” could contain this band.
Catch Honeyblood at SXSW 2014:
Thursday, March 13: Holy Mountain Backyard, 12:00-12:40 a.m. (official showcase)
Friday, March 14: El Sapo, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 14: Latitude 30, 11:00-11:40 p.m. (official showcase)
