Honey Made, Cedar Park Tx 78613, Us, TX
Austin's Honey Made bring back memories of legends like James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and Earth Wind and Fire with their modern take on slamming primal soul and focus on their R&B roots. Having shared the stage with George Clinton & the Parliament Funkadelic, Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars, The Motet, Lee Fields, Tomar & The Fcs, Funk You, The Soul Rebels and Flow Tribe, the band has already made quite a name for themselves locally and are currently planning on rapidly expanding their audience beyond the Austin scene.
Honey Made began performing in 2018 and has become known as one of the best live bands and party bands in town. As one reviewer said, “You can't help but smile at Honey Made. It's hard not to delight at their athletic musicianship, their infectious hooks, or hairpin turns between the entire canon of funk feels-hard funk, hip hop groves, or James Brown – you name it, they did it. If that was all it was, I'd still call Honey Made a great band, but it's more than that, it's their willingness to bring you into the fold makes seeing Honey Made a great time.”
Honey Made derives the diversity of sound mentioned above from many influences. These include James Brown, Parliament Funkadelic, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings and Prince. Honey Made delights in bringing all of these influences into its music.
The bands discography includes the release of five singles including “Perfect Getaway” (2019), “Do Ya?” (2019), “Ashy Pockets” (2020), “Brand New” (2020) and “Upstairs” (2022). The band has also released an EP “Couple Few” (2020) and a full-length album 'Brand New” (2020). Here are some of the reviews for those releases.
The band's EP titled “Couple Few” released in 2020 shares these influences. This EP of five tracks includes influences of funk, rock and soul. The Word is Bond blog states that the self-titled track Honey Made Top submissions EP2 Apr, 2020 | Word Is Bond (thewordisbond.com)
“… is rife with all the goodies of the vintage funk-rock and soul jams from yesteryears. The production is super funky and edgy while the vocalists bring that catchy, call and response type performance to the forefront.”
The A&R Factory states that the track “Perfect Getaway” Honey Made serve up sweet soulful nostalgia with their latest single “Perfect Getaway” - Independent Music - New Music - Music Industry Blog (anrfactory.com
“.. contains enough Soul to induce goosebumps from the first few notes in the prelude. As the drippings of soul nostalgia intensify in Perfect Getaway, you'll find yourself in an effervescently shimmering soundscape where every instrumental in the arrangement exudes fluid expression.”
The band has released its first full length record titled “Brand New” in November of 2020 produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. The record is comprised of ten tracks of original music. The title track “Brand New” is about how finding the right person can make all things “Brand New.” It also speaks to the emergence of Honey Made new music and a new direction. “Chicken Sweats” is about one of the band's favorite foods but also let's the listener know that there is more going on here. “Be True” is a more of traditional soul sound. Then there is funky instrumental “Southern Fried Funk” and the feel good track “So Good.”
In a review of the album Take Effect Reviews states Music reviews- Take Effect (takeeffectreviews.com):
“ An album that parallels the energy of George Clinton And Parliament Funkadelic, but also possesses the capacity for slow burning timelessness, too, Brand New is an excellent starting point for a band we will all be hearing much more about in the future.”
The band continues write and perform new music as well playing to enthusiastic fans throughout Texas. In 2022 Honey Made was selected as an official SXSW Showcasing artist playing to a capacity audience at the Parker Jazz Club. The band released the single “Upstairs” in June 2022. The single has been played on over 20 AAA Radio Stations across the US. The A&R factory had this to say about “Upstairs”, Good Time: Honey Made grows tired of the games with the groovy delight Upstairs - Independent Music - New Music - Music Industry Blog (anrfactory.com).
“Upstairs from the 9-piece Austin, Texas-based indie primal-soul RnB band Honey Made is one of the more crisply woven-into-your-soul singles that will make you smile. There is an incredible quality attached here that is rather magnificently created and world class to the max, as you just imagine that sparked up night that has turned into something memorable.”
To add credence to the statement that Honey Made is one of the nest live bands in Austin, Tx, in December 2022 Honey Made was named the “Best Live Band” by the readers of Austin Fit Magazine in their “Best of Austin 2022” list.
December 2022 Issue Reader | Austin Fit (austinfitmagazine.com)
Honey Made band members include: Willie Barnes, Vocals; Donald Ford Jr., vocals; Brian Cokeley, Keys; Lee Braverman, Bass; Chris Barnes, Drums & Vocals; Mark Saldana, Percussion; Dustin Hunter, Tenor Saxophone & Baritone Saxophone; Joseph Marrow, Trumpet & Flugelhorn; and Donald McDaniel, Trombone.
Follow Honey Made on social media for tour updates, new music releases, and special announcements. Facebook: @HoneyMadeATX. Twitter: @honeymadeatx. Instagram: @honeymadeatx. You can also follow the band at www.honeymadeatx.com.
