Honey Guide

Photo by Liam Waddell

Name, where are you from?
Jacob Andrews, from Leeds.

Describe your style in three words?
Rustic and one too many layers, even on a hot day.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I’m struggling to think of anything other than Big Thief at the Albert Hall in Manchester. It was right on the cusp of the pandemic and I sort of feel that everyone in the audience knew it, at least in retrospect that’s what it felt like to me. Everyone was soaking in it, beholding these incredible musicians, hanging onto every word. Either that or Australian Pink Floyd at Leeds First Direct Arena, getting to see 'The Dark Side of the Moon' being re-produced in a big arena and executed very well was quite cool. The track I nominate is 'Replaced'. It was my favourite on the 'Two Hands' LP and I was really glad to hear it live.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
George Harrison during the 'All Things Must Pass' days, cause it’s the best music ever written and to see it live would shatter my world to the core. And Joni Mitchell during the 'Hejira' days. Again, it’s some of my favourite music and to hear Joni and Jaco Pastorius work their magic live would obviously be really special. I’d try to wrangle them into the same room afterwards to lull me into my slumber for the night.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
The DIY indie rock scene out of New York that birthed bands/artists such as Real Estate, Beach Fossils, The Babies, Kevin Morby etc. I feel like those bands really opened up the door to the music that really makes me tick these days. It also influenced the first songs I started to write solely by myself. I wanted everything to sound like Real Estate, phaser and delay on all of the guitars with the ride cymbal playing 8th notes. Thankfully the natural progression of writing music has let different tastes and influences work their way into my sound without it just being a carbon copy of Real Estate haha. A lot of my nearest and dearest are really big on hip-hop, so in turn, I found myself really delving into it alongside them for a while. Artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Slick Rick and Outkast just to name a few. It’s just really cool, the creativity and attitude and storytelling really sunk its hooks in me for a while.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Henri Matisse. I just finished watching the Nat Geo 'Genius' series based on Pablo Picasso, and it must have been pretty overwhelming seeing that kind of use of colour from an artist at that time. I’m not very clued up or well versed in art but I’d love to have the chance to pick the brain of the man that Picasso was so driven to be better than that it literally made Picasso, Picasso. I know this answer wasn’t about a musician OR Picasso, but I nominate 'Pablo Picasso' by The Modern Lovers. It’s somewhat related and it’s a great tune.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
It’s such a cliche answer from someone who grew up in Leeds but it has to be the Brudenell Social Club. Growing up in Leeds the Brudenell was the Mecca for a local music fan/musician and getting to play it for the first time felt like such a big thing for me. Even just as a local watering hole it’s the best place to go for a drink, you always bump into friends there, and the staff are all really great, it’s just a great place to be in.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Sam Owens (Sam Evian). I personally feel that from a production and songwriting point of view, Sam is the real MVP in music today, at least in the music that I find myself being obsessed with anyway. He’s had a hand in so many amazing records that all just seem to resonate with me sonically. As a producer/engineer, it pushes me to master my craft more and I feel like I can learn a lot from his productions.

Honey Guide recently released his new single 'I Feel Funny'. Stream it via lnk.to/ojR4eIPY.