Black Honey (band)

Black Honey is a British four-piece indie rock band formed in Brighton, England in 2014. The band is composed of lead singer and guitarist Izzy Baxter Phillips, guitarist Chris Ostler, bassist Tommy Taylor, and drummer Alex Woodward, who joined the group after the departure of Tom Dewhurst. The band released an eponymous self-titled debut EP in late 2014 followed by a series of singles leading to the release of self-titled debut album in 2018.
In early incarnations, Black Honey were partly defined by their signature guitar sound. Although this sound continues to be present in the latest material, the band's repertoire in this aspect has expanded since the middle of 2017. Through 2014 to 2017, Black Honey's output consisted of the regular release of singles and EPs. The EP "Black Honey" was released in 2014, and the EP "Headspin" followed in 2016, with both featuring artwork by Olivia Savage.
The self titled debut album was released on 21 September 2018, reaching number 33 on the UK Albums Chart, despite being unsigned to any major record label.
Black Honey released three singles during 2020 and two further singles in 2021 to heighten interest before releasing their second album, "Written & Directed", in March 2021.
History.
2014.
Black Honey the band was formed and a self-titled debut EP was released early in 2014 on CD and 12" vinyl formats. It featured the songs Sleep Forever, Teenager, The Taste and Bloodlust.
A second Black Honey single was released in October 2014. It was released as a 7" vinyl and featured the songs "Bloodlust" and the acoustic version of "Corrine".
2015.
Tour dates during the year: 19/01/2015 Lexington; 20/01/2015 The Old Blue Last; 03/02/2015 Red Rooms Nottingham; 08/04/15 Birmingham - supporting Superfood; 09/04/15 London - supporting Superfood; 25/05/15 Focus Wales Festival; 02/05/15 Live at Leeds; 03/05/15 Live at Glasgow; 14/05/15 - 16/05/15 The Great Escape Festival; 30/05/15 Wychwood Festival; 22/07/15 Croatia Rocks; 24/07/15 Secret Garden Party; 31/07/15 2000 Trees; July 2015 Y Not Festival; 01/08/15 Standon Calling; 02/08/15 Kendal Calling; Sunflower Lounge Birmingham, Sunday 18 October 2015 
Black Honey generated a lot of interest in the media during 2015. They released the single: Spinning Wheel during April. In July the single: Madonna was released. They were invited to do a prestigious BBC radio 1 Session for Huw Stephens and got a break supporting Superfood at The Rainbow Warehouse Birmingham on Wed 8 April 2015
2016.
Black Honey toured various venues in the Uk during 2016 and generated much interest in the newspapers and the "blogspace" during the year. They were invited to support Catfish And The Bottlemen on their UK tour. A second EP, "Headspin", was released later in 2016.
2017.
Black Honey embarked on a headline UK tour during spring 2017. Later in the year they were in the Netherlands for the NPO 3FM Festival. Once again, the band generated much interest in the media worldwide. Finally, a UK and Europe arena tour took place where Black Honey supported another UK indie band: Royal Blood 
2018.
A busy year for Black Honey, 2018 began with touring in the UK. Tour venues: The Rodeo 16 March 2018 | 09/05 Welly Club, Hull | 10/05 Sugarmill, Stoke | 11/05 The Leadmill, Sheffield | 13/05 The Globe, Cardiff | 14/05 O2 Academy 2, Oxford | 15/05 Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth. The band were in more demand for interviews as they became a little more well known and they featured in many newspaper and blog interviews during the year. Black Honey released their first album "Black Honey" on 21 September 2018.
They embarked on an autumn tour around the UK to promote the debut album.
Next, they were in Europe for a further headline tour later in the year. Dates: Friday 2 November, Le Botanique Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, Belgium | Saturday 3 November, Bitterzoet, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Monday 5 November, Molotow Skybar, Hamburg-Nord, Germany | Tuesday 6 November Cassiopeia, Berlin, Germany | NOV 8 THU MTC Club, Koln, Germany | Friday 9 November, LE GIBUS, Paris, France
Finally to round off the year, Black Honey released the single "Crowded City", with accompanying video during November 2018.
2019.
For 2019 Black Honey were reported to be writing and recording songs for a second studio album which was predicted to be released early 2020. More recognition came when they became NME Front cover stars and for a "long read" were forthcoming with more details inside the pages of the well known music newspaper for April 2019.
Black Honey toured again during 2019, selling out at most venues. The headline spring dates included: Esquires, Bedford 29 April 2019; Sugarmill, Stoke 30 April 2019; Caves, Edinburgh 1 May 2019; Grand Social, Dublin 2 May 2019 Live at Leeds (UK Festival) Saturday 4 May 2019; Handmade Festival, Leicester (UK) on Sunday 5 May 2019, Joiners, Southampton on 6 May 2019 The Forum, Tunbridge Wells on 7 May 2019; The Boileroom, Guildford on 8 May 2019.
A New song, "I Don't Ever Wanna Love" was now being played during live setlists and during the UK tour, Black Honey came up with additional YouTube material named: "le Crousti Garçons", which was just a bit of fun for the fans. The Great Escape, Brighton, 10 May 2019.
The video for the single, "Midnight" gained an accolade when it was nominated at the Berlin Music Video Awards.
More tour dates during 2019: Poltimore Festival, Exeter, 26 May 2019. European leg: Spring Tour: Dauwpop Fest, Netherlands. 30.05; Vestrock Fest, Netherlands 31.05; Hurricane Festival, Scheeßel, Deutschland 21 June 2019; Privatclub, Berlin 22.06; Southside19, Neuhausen, Deutschland on 23 June 2019; Chelsea, Vienna 26.06 ; Cafe V Lese, Prague 27.06 ; Exil, Zurich 28.06; Rock Werchter Fest, Belgium. 30.06. Summer 2019 dates were: Y Not Festival, Matlock, Uk, 25–28 July 2019; Neverworld Festival, Edenbridge, Uk, 1–4 August 2019; Grape Festival, Slovakia, 9 August 2019; Summer Well Festival, Domeniul Stirbey, Buftea, Romania, Sunday 11 August 2019; Reading Festival, Uk, 23 August 2019; Leeds Festival, Uk, 24 August 2019; Lost Village, Lincoln, Uk. 22–25 August 2019;
In June 2019, Black Honey released a music video for their new single "I Don't Ever Wanna Love" featuring an art deco Ibiza hotel as a backdrop.
A change of personnel occurred late in the year and Tom Dewhurst left the band, to be replaced on the drum kit and percussion by Alex Woodward.
2020.
2020 proved to be a difficult year for the entire music industry, Black Honey included, as the COVID-19 pandemic affected every aspect of planning and touring.
First gig of 2020 and first also with new band member Alex Woodward on drums was at the Green Door Store, Brighton (29 January 2020). This proved to be one of only two performances possible during the year.
A new Black Honey single was released in July 2020 called "Beaches". At the same time a music video was also released. It was directed and produced "in house" by the band during COVID-19 restricions. 29 July 2020.
DIY put on a 100th issue party. A live gig under COVID-19-compliant distancing conditions happened. Black Honey headlined the gig on 9 September 2020.
Next for 2020 was another new single release, 18 September 2020, "Run for Cover" along with its accompanying video; released on 25 September 2020. Filmed in an empty working men's club. Directed by Sam Kinsella. Production and styling: Craig Hemming.
Black Honey announced their second studio album "Written & Directed", with the album initially scheduled to be released on 29 January 2021. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band decided to reschedule the release of the new album to 19 March 2021.
2021.
New single release, 8 January 2021, "Believer".
New single release, 19 February 2021, "Disinfect", along with accompanying video.
Release of the second album "Written & Directed" on 19 March 2021. At No. 1 in the iTunes UK Album chart during a lot of release week. The UK official album chart was released on the 26 March 2021 with "Written and Directed" at position No 7 overall. It achieved No 1 in the UK independent chart. Scottish Album chart position #3. UK vinyl chart position: #2. UK cassette chart: #2. UK physical chart: #4.