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Musiq Scene: Honey

Queer Band, Honey

Honey is a rock trio from Washington, D.C., born out of a love for rock camp and interpretive dance. One moment they’ll have you laughing at society’s worst offenders, the next you’ll be feeling the feels with all the moody chord changes. Guitars will be cranked, drums will be impressive, and you’ll definitely want to get a copy of the lyrics.

We interviewed drummer Ebony about the band’s newest project, influences, and the music industry.

How long have you been creating your art?
We have been a band for a little over two years now.

Where are you from? How does that influence your art?
We all have lived in the Washington, DC area for several years. It puts us right at the forefront of being involved directly with so many different issues that face the queer community. Living in the nation’s capital connects you with so many different people.

What are you currently working on or recently finished?
In the summer of 2018, we released our debut EP titled I’m Your Best Friend Admit It. It was recorded and mixed by Benjamin Gartenstein, then mastered by Michael Bartlett. It was a really powerful experience, we were able to record songs that we had been working on for such a long time. It all just sort of came together in the studio, and there was a moment where we were all were just like, “Wow, yes.. this is it!”

What is your inspiration? And, why?
Life, love, relationships – whether that be friends, lovers, or family (chosen or biological). At the end of the day, when you face hardships it’s those relationships that pull you through and keep you inspired.

Why is music important to the queer community?
It’s important to have representation in music. It’s so easy to feel alone and to also feel like no one is able to understand you when you’re queer. It’s super empowering to find out about a band, or an artist who identifies as queer and realize that you’re not as alone as you once thought you were.

What do you hope to achieve as an artist?
That our music means something to someone.

How would you describe your experience in the music industry?
For me, at times definitely challenging. It can be extremely difficult trying to establish yourself and gain respect as a female drummer. It feels like I have to prove myself twice as much as an average dude who picks up a pair of sticks. But at the same time, here in the D.C. area I’ve received a lot of love and support as well, so I’m not tripping off of it too much.

Did music play an integral role in your coming out? If yes, how so?
Yes, Tegan and Sara for the win!

Top 3 Major Influences.
John Frusciante, Warpaint, and Rilo Kiley.

Finish: Art is….
powerful.

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley See
Ashley See
Ashley See is the organizer for Womxn Fuck Shit Up DC, as well as a labor activist and music fanatic hailing from the cornfields of Ohio. For the past ten years, Ashley has lived in the DC metro area splitting her time between the labor movement, sports and “dogmom” responsibilities. She’s the first lesbian Asian-American president of the Labor Heritage Foundation and can often be spotted singing in the DC Labor Chorus or playing softball with the Chesapeake and Potomac LGBTQ Softball League.