Introducing: Big Honey

Blues-infused soulful rock, from Leeds…

How long have you been together as a band/playing music?
Yaz: Would you believe me if I said I met the boys at a Duck & Drake Jam night about 8 weeks ago?!
Jacob: Some of the members – we’ve played together for a good 3-4 years now but as a band we’ve only existed for a month or so. It all started with meeting Yas at a jam session and then I just knew we had to get a blues project on the go.

Give us 3 reasons why we should track down, listen and discover your music?
Yaz: Well we’re pretty new, so if you follow us now you’ll be an OG when we make it big, bragging rights?
Jacob: For the time being, you’ll have to catch us live to discover our music. All I can say is we’re an exciting band to see. We always try to give it some and play from the heart. That’s what blues is about for me anyway. We want you and us to come away having felt something.
Jaden: Sex appeal, Dylans toes, this guy Ryan said we’re really really good.

Where do you sound best – festival, club, bedroom – or somewhere else?
Yaz: At the Domino Club in Leeds- the atmosphere paired with the BEST sound engineer is the winning combo.
Jacob: We’ve all been lucky enough to play various festivals, clubs and pubs but I must admit – it’s hard to beat a small intimate venue. If you’re in a space where the band and audience can feel connected, a certain magic can happen that’s harder to recreate on the bigger stages. With that being said, Glastonbury pyramid stage is definitely on the bucket list.
Jaden: Bridlington.

What was your first record, CD and download?
RECORD?
Yaz: Janis Joplin, live in concert 1972
Jaden: Weather Report: Heavy Weather
CD?
Yaz: ‘Sk8er Boi’ Avril Lavigne (lowkey flex)
Jacob: It’s hard to recall but it’s likely to be something like Nevermind by Nirvana. In the words of Noel Gallagher – “If you listen to Nevermind, it still sounds like the future of rock”
DOWNLOAD?
Yaz: ‘Outside’, Foo Fighters
Jaden: Take That- ‘Beautiful World’ (I was like 9, forgive me)

So, when it all goes right and you’ve got a huge queue of hangers-on and a ridiculous mansion, what will be your biggest indulgence, musical or otherwise?
Yaz: Not buying Aldi’s own brand anymore.
Jacob: If you’d asked me this 10 years ago my answer may have been very different but right now I couldn’t care less about a ridiculous mansion or being famous. I just hope to continue playing with great players and that we all can prosper and stay healthy. BUT… If I had millions I’d definitely make a monster album with loads of legends and top session players on it because why not.
Jaden: Honestly, I’d just carry on what I’m doing but to a bigger extent!

So, when it all goes wrong and you’ve acrimoniously broken up citing huge musical differences, what do you fall back on?
Yaz: Alcohol?
Jacob: I always fall back on exercise. I started kickboxing at Team Fu Martial Arts about a year ago and I love it. It keeps me grounded like nothing else.
Jaden: What I’m doing but to a worse extent lol.

Cite some inter-band musical differences…
Yaz: Probably Dylan, Jaden and Charlie all having higher education in Music, they are really technically strong, I believe Jacob has been gigging like forever, and I’ve learnt as I go along for the most part and just trust my ear (minus that grade 6 Tenor Horn when I was 13, slay).
Jacob: A lot of the guys like Dylan (drums) and Jaden (bass) went through Leeds College of Music to study jazz so they seem to be a lot more well versed on that side of things compared to myself. I cut my teeth playing around the pub circuit with my Dad and I believe Yas did the same. So ultimately two different universes colliding – but that’s what makes collaboration such a cool thing. We can all learn from each other and build upon our different musical philosophies.
Jaden: One of us doesn’t have a penis.

Who are Yorkshire’s finest in culture, sport and music?
Yaz: SUBDUB (iykyk), Guy Fawkes lmao.
Jacob: Since I’m into combat sports – ‘Liam Harrison’ (Leeds Kickboxer) comes to mind. One of the earliest adopters of Muay Thai in Leeds and then went on to beat some of the worlds best fighters in the sport. Quite the achievement when there was no promise guaranteed money or success. Now the sport is globally huge. My idea of ‘culture’ is most likely different to the rest of the band. Maybe let’s add the Yorkshire Dales in there for good measure.
Jaden: New England Patriots.

Name your supergroup – who’s playing what, who’s on vocals and who’s your Bez?
Yaz: Bass: Flea, Vocals: Raye, Guitar: Hendrix, Keys: Jools Holland, Drums: Taylor Hawkins.
Jacob: Steve Gadd on drums, Bernard Edwards on bass, Stevie Wonder & Herbie Hancock on Keys, Derek Trucks on Guitar, Candi Staton on lead vocals. And then Prince, Michael Jackson and Alicia Keys all on backing vocals. As for ‘Bez’. Let’s get Quincy Jones in a pink leotard on a tambourine fueled by a metric fuckton of Colombia’s finest.
Jaden: Bass- James Jamerson, Drums- Benny Benjamin, Guitar- Pat Metheny, Piano- Brad Mehldau, Vocals- Macy Gray.

GO SEE THIS FILM:
Yaz: Friday
Jacob: Truman Show
Jaden: Airplane
GO READ THIS BOOK:
Yaz: FLEA, Acid for the Children (for any RHCP fans)
Jacob: Meditations (Marcus Aurelius)
GREAT LOST BAND/ARTIST:
Yaz: Terry Reid
WOULDN’T BE CAUGHT DEAD SUPPORTING:
Yaz: JLS
LONDON, L.A OR LEEDS?:
Yaz: Leeds for the people, London for the infrastructure, LA for the status (minus the actual Americans)
Jacob: LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS
Jaden: London, Leeds, LA

And finally… as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Yaz: I think I ended our last gig by saying “I’m sweating my tits off”.
Jacob: I wish it could be something exciting but a simple “Well Played” usually does it.
Jaden: Bridlington.

Find out more about Big Honey at @bighoneyblues