Honeyblood – Stina Marie Claire Tweeddale
Stina Tweeddale is the Scottish rock act Honeyblood. Honeyblood started out as a duo with Stina Tweeddale and Cat Myers. Honeyblood is releasing their 3rd album In Plain Sight and having their first US dates before a European tour. Honeyblood is a band that has a hint of 90’s alt-retro mixed with bold punkish rock. In Plain Sight moves the band into a new territory with Tweeddale taking on the songwriting and arrangements. It signals a new chapter for this band whose presence is long overdue to be felt in the US. They will be playing the US in April at:
4/22/19 – Baby’s All Right – Brooklyn, NY
4/23/19 – The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
They album’s first single is “The Third Degree”
FEMMUSIC: What was the biggest challenge in making In Plain Sight?
ST: I guess it’s just been a massive change. I changed record labels and decided to do the album on my own so the whole process was pretty challenging. Making the decisions and having the courage to do so has been the biggest challenge, but here I am!
FEMMUSIC: Tell me about John Congleton. How did you meet? How was he to work with? What did he contribute in the studio?
ST: I’ve been a big fan of his work for a while. I really loved how he could make guitars sound otherworldly. It was something I really wanted to pull into my own music and the reason I was so set on having him produce the album. Lucky for me he agreed! I love that he works so fast, he’s really great at impulsively laying down parts that complement the song without doubt. If it’s the first thing that pops into your head it’s probably the right part.
FEMMUSIC: Tell me about Marathon Artists. What made you decide to change labels? What made you sign with Marathon? What did they contribute to the project?
ST: I’ve had a great relationship with Marathon for years after meeting Courtney Barnett in 2014. I think it was definitely very natural for Marathon to become the new home for Honeyblood and I’m very excited to work together on this album. They’ve been super supportive and I’m feeling pretty excited about the future.
FEMMUSIC: Could you talk a about your latest single, “Glimmer.” I read it described about the “wonders of women.” I was wondering how it compares, both in style and creation, to “Babes Never Die” – the single.
ST: I think “Glimmer” draws some comparisons to “Babes Never Die” in a way. “Babes” is all about finding inner strength when someone screws you over, “Glimmer” is the song you sing to your best friend when she’s glowing and you’re like ‘that’s my girl, I’m so proud of you. You’re strong and beautiful but you don’t take no shit.”
FEMMUSIC: Can you describe your songwriting technique? How has it changed over time?
ST: I find myself writing very differently now, I don’t have a certain way. I sometimes end up writing whole demos from one melody I’ve sang into my phone or sit for hours toiling over a guitar riff. I demo everything before I hit the studio which I never did until the second album. It lets me have a clearer vision on how the songs will turn out.
FEMMUSIC: What song (not your own) has had the biggest influence on you and why?
ST: At the moment it’s Carly Simon – “You’re So Vain”. It’s just the ultimate burn song but with such sass and class.
FEMMUSIC: What challenges, if any, have you faced as a woman in the music industry? And how did you overcome them?
ST: I mean there’s so many things that I could talk about but mostly I’d like to concentrate on the fact that I believe things will and are changing. I’m a big supporter of the PRS Keychange Initiative and do feel that if we make a conscious effort to change things then it will eventually become the norm.
FEMMUSIC: I understand you grew up with riot grrrl music. How do you think women musicians are viewed today vs then?
ST: I’m not really sure as I guess I wasn’t around when riot grrrl was breaking I only found the music in hindsight so even my view of the movement isn’t a contemporary one! I do believe it was a big shake up to the industry that opened up a platform for lot of female artists and bands that came next.
FEMMUSIC: Whom would you most like to collaborate with, or tour with? Why?
ST: PJ Harvey, she’s just incredible. A ever changing artists not scared to experiment and progress, she’s a true inspiration. And she kills the live show!
FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to change about the music industry?
FEMMUSIC: I guess some more support for the mental health and wellbeing of artists. There isn’t much stability in the music industry which leads to many mental health problems as well as the dangers of touring. I think if there was a way to better support musicians in that area it would be very welcomed.
