Titus writes:
The three piece indie rock band Honeyglaze hail from South London. and were formed by Anouska Sokolow, Tim Curtis and Yuri Shibuichi. They released a self titled album in 2022, followed by a second, ‘Real Deal’ in 2024. Anouska is the vocalist and plays guitar; Tim plays bass and Yuri drums. Anouska was originally a solo artist, but having met up with the other two shortly before the Covid 19 pandemic, they decided to form a band, and worked on their debut LP at a place of isolation. Upon watching one of their early You Tube videos, producer Dan Carey signed them to his label Speedy Wunderground. They recorded and released a single ’’Burglar’, and festival-wise, the trio performed at Green Man and Swn in Wales. Prior to the release of their first album, the band released the track ‘Shadows’ which was co-directed by the band Sorry, who rather spookily I was originally going to compile my blog on, prior to listening to Honeyglaze. The self titled LP hit the top spot in the Independent UK Album Breakers Chart.
Honeyglaze were soon to support Wet Leg on the UK leg of their 2022 tour, and they also opened the ‘BBC Music Introducing Stage’ at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. They also gained valuable festival experience by appearing at the Great Escape Festival, the Victorious Festival and the Latitude Festival. The band signed up with Fat Possum Records in 2024. and it was on this label that they released their second album ‘Real Deal’. In fairly quick succession they released from the album, the singles ‘Don’t’, Cold Caller’ and ‘Pretty Girls’, and it was the video for ‘Don’t’ that was nominated for Best Rock / Alternative Video Newcomer at the 2024 UK Music Video Awards.
The band was asked about what particular influences they used when compiling their debut self-titled LP, and the members replied that Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, Sasami, Squid, Dirty Projectors and Puma Blue played a big part. Specifically Sokolow stated that she admired the strong vocals of Angel Olsen and Adrianne Lenker. Now shamefacedly, despite my love of new & alternative music, I have to admit that I haven’t heard of any of these people! Redemption time though, because when Honeyglaze were asked to name their influences for the ‘Real Deal’ album, they named the Zombies rhythms, Destiny’s Child’s riffs (really?), and unbelievably Scott Walker’s songwriting.......guess what? I’ve heard of all three!
‘The Guardian’ described the band as “One to watch” and seemed to note a Titus ‘Not a lot of people know that’ fact when they disclosed that Honeyglaze only became a band three days before their first gig, when Sokolow realised that she badly need back up. I suppose you could say that Tim Curtis and Yuri Shibuichi ended up sticking around MUCH longer than originally intended. When looking back a few years, Sokolow rather simplistically summed things up by apparently stating that she felt that she had suddenly become an adult, was in need of a job, and was going to be a full-time musician! Having listened to both albums, I personally think that whilst the first record is good, ‘Real Deal’ marks real progression. I have requested Lex to play ‘Ghost’ from this, which can be found here.