What have been your musical epiphany moments?
Hi! It is Rai here, Shallow Honey’s vocalist. My musical epiphany has to be watching Gravy Train, supporting Le Tigre, when I was about 17 years old. They were doing handstands, dance routines, covered in glitter and absolutely loving life! For me, that was one of the best live performances I have ever seen. It was instant love and made me realise it’s about having fun on stage and bringing the audience with you on your journey.
Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?
Usually Carlos or Ben comes up with an idea at home, records a scratch demo and sends over a basic structure for the rest of the band members to add to it, we’re very lucky these days that we’ve all got access to recording software at home which makes life easier. I put together the melody and lyrics, and then Cheryl writes the drum parts to match the flow of when guitars meet with the vocals.
Who has influenced you the most?
Hole, Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth are big influences of the band. Personally, my influences stem more from garage rock and punk - artists such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Be Your Own Pet and Metric.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?
Documentaries, challenging conversations, people who have pissed me off - things that light an emotional match inside me or things that bring a lump to my throat. Our latest single ‘lightweight’ was inspired by watching a Princess Diana documentary marathon. I was really moved by the journey Diana went through with bulimia, but didn’t feel it was right to write a song on the subject, as it wasn’t something I had ever experienced. Instead, I reflected on previous conversations I had with friends about how ingrained and normalised body dissatisfaction is within society. The need to have ''The Perfect Body'', something which is controlled by the media and anyone BUT the body it belongs to. Lightweight is about how in the present moment, we’re never truly happy in our own skin. We seem to only long for what was, when looking back. It’s a constant cycle that will keep repeating, until we get a grip and learn to truly love our bodies as they are.
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
We live across 3 separate counties!! We spend a lot of time travelling around the south to practise and play shows together. Shallow Honey means everything to us, so we put our all into making the long-distance work. How this is reflected in our music, well, we all bring something different to the table and we make sure to incorporate our own unique take with our instrument. We’re often asked what our genre is - people just can’t put their finger on it, I am not sure we can, either!
Where'd the band name come from?
‘Shallow Honey’ is a beehive. Carl, our bassist came up with our name - beehives are a community and provide a home and purpose, we feel that’s what life is all about and without bees, there wouldn’t be life for humans or animals. In May 2020, we had our first show booked, but covid put everything on ice - when the world got tipped upside down, so I got a bee tattoo on my left elbow to celebrate everything we had achieved and act as a reminder of what we had to look forward to.
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
Tommy Wiseau’s, ‘’The Room’’. It’s endearing and it’s raw. It’s misunderstood, yet an absolute cult icon. Like Shallow Honey, it comes from the heart and is DIY. The Bob Odenkirk adaptation coming this year, is where I would like us to feature.
You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000 word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?
‘’All the problems’’ by Shelf Lives. My 2023 anthem. If you come to a Shallow Honey live show, you will see us open with our newest song ‘so still’. Inspired by a SNL sketch featuring a ‘man park’, where men can talk and meet other men in a safe environment (like a dog park). It is about how toxic masculinity has pushed a lot of men into hiding as they get older. They don’t have opportunities to deal with their feelings and build connections, because they don’t know how to create the opportunities to connect. This plays out in their relationships with themselves, friends, family and partners. As they detract from society, they stop growing, stagnate and slowly creep into a space where their self worth is lost and anger prevails.
I want to write more music that flips the spotlight from the impact men’s actions have on women, to asking men why they’re capable of these actions in the first place. Another great example of where a band has done this, is Mommy Long Legs with ‘’Sad Dudes’’.
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?
We played a show at the Amersham Arms, New Cross. I decided to jump into the crowd for our last song, but when coming back up to the stage, I didn’t quite realise the height of the stage and started to fall backwards. Carl, with his superhuman reflexes, managed to grab me just in time and pull me up. Heroes don’t all wear capes.
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
I am quite shy, awkward and anxious in pretty much all situations, with the exception of performing on stage. I can be who I want to be, say what I want to say - I feel In control and no one can harm me. Watching us live you can expect to see a lot of quirky dance moves from me and a lot of hair swishing from Cheryl.
What makes a great song?
It’s all about the output - how the song is received. If the song lifts 1 person up into a positive space, then it’s a great song. Full top. Period.
What one single album do you wish that you'd written or performed on, and why?
Be Your Own Pet’s self-titled debut album. A work of art from start to finish. I wouldn’t be the person or musician I am today, without this album. I feel like a joyful bad ass when I listen to it - every song gives me power. Performing these songs would feel incredible, although I don’t think I have got anywhere near the level of stamina that Jemina Pearl does when she performs.
What piece of your music are you particularly proud of?
Our new single ‘Lightweight’, out the 26th of May! There are so many things to be proud of in regards to this release… the song itself, the music video, the artwork, the team work within the band, and the outside help we received!
The track takes a deep breath into how ingrained and normalised body dissatisfaction is within society. A relatable subject to most, thanks to the constant push of “The Perfect Body” from most media outlets. Within the music video we wanted to celebrate ourselves in our true form… no airbrushing, nothing fake… being unashamedly ourselves
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
Destroy Boys - every song is an absolute hit. Drenched in emotion, dripping with catchy riffs and melodies.
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
Millennial here! I will eat a CD up!! It’s small, decent sound quality, fits nicely on my wall and can have an abundance of artwork. I miss the feeling of actually owning something special, digital just doesn't compare.
Whiskey or beer? And defend your choice
Neither. Beer is like drinking a man's armpit and whiskey is toilet bleach. I'll take literally any other drink. Mega pint of red wine, vodka red bull or cider - that's not too sweet or farmy AF.
We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?
There are a bunch! Brighton has Resident, which has everything you could dream of and does regular stripped-down shows in the evenings + signings.. But Lewes is where I live, and has a great store called Union Music Store, which is located right by the train station.
What's next for the band?
We’re playing LOUD WOMEN fest 2023 on the 16th of September!! If like me, you're fed up with the male dominated line ups - then grab yourself a ticket! LOUD WOMEN celebrate, supports and lifts up women in music, which is so important, as other festival and event platforms continue to push women led music to the sidelines.
Also, we’re recording our first E.P very very soon…
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
Thank you, Ripple Effect readers! If you want to check us out further, here are some links:
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