BUZZ CULTURE: BLACK HONEY | INTERVIEW
As part of the Buzz Culture project earlier this month, Chelsea Jones and Alysha Doel spoke to Izzy B Phillips from Brighton rockers Black Honey to talk about the new album, Tarantino vs Lynch, imposter syndrome, women’s safety and connecting with fans.
Written & Directed, the long anticipated second album from Black Honey, is out now, and frontwoman Izzy B Phillips is just as thrilled as their fans to finally have new music released. “We’re quite overwhelmed with the response so far,” she says. “Feels almost surreal it’s out, it has been such a long buildup. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it just feels really good.”
Inspired by an appreciation for Tarantino, Written And Directed sees a re-establishment of their sound through an infectious medley of 90s style rock riffs and dark instrumentals, ensnaring the listener through skilful merging of pop and rock. When asked who she’d rather do a soundtrack for, Izzy aims for another cinema heavy hitter, David Lynch. “It’s more arthouse – there’d be slightly more longevity in the artistic credibility of it.”
With Black Honey’s videos emphasising the visual, could a Black Honey visual album have potential? “I would find it stressful to make a full-on visual album, but if I had the team and the facilities, it would be something I’d seriously be considering.”
From the raw grit of opener I Like The Way You Die to the more tender Summer ’92, this sophomore record plays out like a production, offering a bold exploration of themes such as female empowerment (Fire) and politics (Disinfect) through the hypnotic vocals of its leading lady. Syncopated brass beats in Believer and stripped-down acoustics on melancholy ballad Gabrielle add to the theatrical experience – while the manic sounds and lyrics of Run For Cover show that not only can women feel empowered through sex, but also that Black Honey mean business.
We ask Izzy’s feelings on empowerment in relation to recent conversations about women’s safety. “It’s been absolutely eye-opening. As a woman, I thought it was a given that we all know we’re in danger.”
Women have always been conscious of staying safe, but it doesn’t make it any less daunting.
“I’m saddened by the reality of the world that we live in. I would be terrified for young women coming into this world. At the same time, it’s the best that it’s been. I’m learning we’re not equal because there’s people that would shout women down. Just the fact that it’s so surprising to people that we aren’t safe is just so insane, and that they’re denying it and saying that I’m shameful for saying things as it is, is really sad.”
Raising awareness remains vital to her, even through dealing with trolls. “You have a responsibility: if you have access to people you should have a commonality where they think it’s important to try and create a common way of thinking.”
During the pandemic, though, Izzy utilises this platform to show support. “I don’t believe in protesting during the pandemic. I don’t want to send a message, that’s going to put people at risk, especially when it’s people of colour and women who are at high risk.”
Black Honey also connect with their audience online. “We have Twitch, we have Discord, we have a private Facebook group. We’re talking to fans every single day.”
Though the vocalist has found a strong connection to fans, especially women who look up to her, she too battles imposter syndrome. “I don’t feel like I deserve to be where I am; I feel like I can’t do it and I don’t have the strength to do it. It’s so tiring and draining, I feel fragile about it all the time.”
Does Izzy have advice to women on how to deal with feeling like an outsider?
“Look at how resilient you are: you have strength in you that you don’t even know. It will be fucking hard, but it will happen. At the end of it, you’ll be this battered thing that asks yourself ‘was it worth it?’ – but you still do it. I think that’s something that women are really programmed to do.”
Black Honey play Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on Tue 12 Oct. Tickets, plus new album Written & Directed, can be purchased here.
words CHELSEA JONES / ALYSHA DOEL photos CHELSEA JONES / LAURA ALLARD FLEISCHL
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