by Han S.
Creative Director: Craig Hemming // Photographer: Ines Ziouane // Stylist: Tara Ziegfeld // Movement Director: Lukasz Pryzytarski // Makeup Artist: Laure Jolibois // Hair: Vasso Stathopoulu
Black Honey is a British four-piece indie rock band that hails from Brighton, England. The band is fronted by Izzy Bee Phillips (lead vocals and guitar), Chris Ostler (guitar), Tommy Taylor (bass), and Alex Woodward (drums).
The band has released 3 full-length records. Their latest record, A Fistful of Peaches, peaked at number 6 on the Official Albums Chart in the UK. We caught up with Izzy Phillips after the release of their cover of "Wild Thing" for the series My Lady Jane on Amazon Prime.
Your music in three words?
Femme
Grainy
Bittersweet
What message or feeling do you hope people walk away with after listening to your music?
I want people – especially women and minorities – to be able to stomp around and say “get fucked” to the people and thoughts holding them back. I wanna set a fire in people's bellies and give them some place to get away to.
When you’re not making music, what’s something surprising you love to do that helps fuel your creativity?
Over the last year I’ve been learning to tattoo, and I’m loving it! I have always been an artist, so it has been incredible to discover a new medium and finding ways outside of music to express myself. Last year I also painted all the walls of my home weird shades of pink.
How do you balance creating music that’s true to yourself while also staying in tune with what’s trending in the industry?
So, I hate trends. I’ve seen so many that at this point that I feel fatigued, and kind of lost. It’s funny, as I got lucky as the things I liked and did were considered “very cool” and then they became very uncool. Now, suddenly it’s coming back around and guitar bands are “cool” again.
TRENCH COAT: MAITREPIERRE, COAT (WORN AS SKIRT): SAINT LAURENT; SHOES: GANNI
"I’ve learnt that I can’t change what interests the public, or if they see me as cool or not. All I can do is remember that artists aren’t supposed to follow. They are supposed to innovate."
What’s the biggest lesson you've learned about the music industry that no one told you before you started?
History is written by the winners. Own your own copyright. No one knows what a hit song is, even if they have written them – and anyone claiming they know hits is lying. NOBODY can predict virality. The point of art is perspective, not superiority. I feel like I did kind of know this, but it’s really something I wish I hadn’t listened to other people about.
What advice would you give someone just starting out their music career?
I’d tell them to choose life. Save yourself the masochism. Please buckle up. Be ready for your self esteem to get pounded. But I would say trust yourself – you know what good work is. Don’t pretend to be more stupid than you are to appease men. It will cause you more problems long term. Consider a route that will protect you artistically and financially. Do whatever you have to do to keep your journey yours. Allow yourself to make mistakes. It’s okay to evolve and have ebbs and flows.
"Your story is unique and the essence of you is inevitable. Take control of your own output and try to enjoy the ride."
FULL LOOK: CELINE
What stands out to you as the main differentiator on your next album from your previous work?
We're making it right now, and it’s currently in the "I have no idea how this sounds" stage.
What does tomorrow mean to you?
Probably coffee, a verse I wanna get sunk into, and a walk to the local patisserie in Brussels.
Make sure to follow Black Honey on Instagram and check out their cover of "Wild Thing" below.