Honey Honey

Who is Honey Honey?

Honey Honey is an indie rock band from Los Angeles featuring singer-songwriter Suzanne Santo and multi-instrumentalist Ben Jaffe. Known for their lush harmonies, psychedelic influences, and energetic live performances, the duo has built a dedicated following through their distinctive blend of rock, pop, and experimental sounds.

Topics and Timestamps

• 01Honey Honey discusses the creative process behind their indie rock sound and songwriting approach
• 02Suzanne Santo and Ben Jaffe talk about their musical influences and what shaped their band's identity
• 03The band explores how they built their fanbase and navigated the independent music industry
• 04Discussion about live performances and the energy they bring to their shows
• 05Insights into collaboration between band members and how their creative partnership works
• 06The duo shares stories about their journey from LA to becoming a recognized indie rock band
• ▶Introduction to Honey Honey and their background0:00:00
• ▶How Suzanne and Ben met and formed the band0:12:30
• ▶Creative process and songwriting approach0:28:45
• ▶Navigating the independent music industry0:55:20
• ▶Live performances and the importance of touring1:32:15

The Show

Joe sits down with Honey Honey, the LA-based indie rock duo of Suzanne Santo and Ben Jaffe, to dive into what makes their sound tick. The conversation explores how two musicians with different backgrounds came together to create the psychedelic, harmony-driven rock that defines their project. Santo and Jaffe break down their songwriting process and explain how they balance individual creativity with collaborative vision, which is no small feat when you're essentially running a two-person creative machine.

The discussion touches on the realities of being an independent band in today's music landscape. They're candid about the challenges of getting heard in an oversaturated market while maintaining artistic integrity. Rather than chasing trends or trying to fit into predetermined boxes, Honey Honey has carved out their own lane with their distinctive sound that pulls from classic rock influences while incorporating modern production techniques and experimental elements.

Joe and the band talk about their live shows and the importance of translating their recorded work to the stage. Santo and Jaffe emphasize that performing is where their music really comes alive, and they discuss the energy exchange between themselves and their audience. They share war stories from touring and the unglamorous reality of making it as touring musicians in America.

The conversation naturally drifts into how Los Angeles shaped their sound and their career trajectory. Being in LA gives them access to world-class studios, musicians, and industry connections, but it also means they're competing with countless other talented artists in one of the most saturated music markets in the country. They discuss finding their people, building a loyal fanbase, and how social media and streaming platforms have fundamentally changed how bands promote themselves and reach listeners.

Throughout the episode, there's genuine chemistry between Joe and the band members. Santo is articulate and thoughtful about her creative process, while Jaffe brings a more technical perspective on the production side of things. Together they paint a picture of what it takes to stay committed to your art while navigating the business side of the music industry. It's a conversation that will resonate with anyone interested in how modern musicians actually make it work.

Best Quotes