We chat to Superfood and Honeyblood about the 1990s, being the ÔÇÿones to watchÔÇÖ and exactly what they think about music magazines
ÔÇÿWe didnÔÇÖt take it very seriously, we were quite bored at the time.ÔÇÖ It seems a pretty devil may care attitude, the way Ryan Malcom – ┬águitarist of Superfood – speaks of his early days in the band. ÔÇÿWe actually booked a gig before we had any songs,ÔÇÖ he continues, ÔÇÿwe kind of just thrashed out four songs so that we could play the show.ÔÇÖ Cavalier and carefree spring to mind, but, chatting amongst the hustle and bustle of the UKÔÇÖs biggest music magazineÔÇÖs radar tour, it becomes clear that the whole doing-a-band-thing wasnÔÇÖt quite so off the cuff as it may sound.
Ryan sits with Superfood comrade and drummer Carl as the stream of fans flows steadily behind them. ÔÇÿThe shit two [of the band],ÔÇÖ they brand themselves, chuckling, before launching eagerly into a discussion about their debut album; DonÔÇÖt Say That was officially released just under a month ago. ÔÇÿWeÔÇÖre really proud of the album.ÔÇÖ Ryan looks over at Carl; ÔÇÿwe put so much work in before hand, saw it progress and develop and [now] weÔÇÖre really focused on getting the live shows up to scratch.ÔÇÖ ThereÔÇÖs an air of integrity in the way they talk, bouncing off one anotherÔÇÖs sentiments, and when it comes to ÔÇÿit was just what came out naturally,ÔÇÖ you canÔÇÖt help but believe them.
ÔÇÿWeÔÇÖve always made a conscious decision not to let [the press] have an influence over what weÔÇÖre writing,ÔÇÖ they explain, a mantra easier said than put into practice when picked up so early on by covetous music publications, staking their claim on the next big thing. ÔÇÿHaving people watching you and watching what songs youÔÇÖre going to put out there does play a part [in the writing process]ÔÇÖ Ryan admits, but itÔÇÖs something the midlands quartet have tried to give a wide-berth. ÔÇÿItÔÇÖs the worst position to be in when youÔÇÖre writing music and youÔÇÖre writing with the intention of impressing people.ÔÇÖ
Impressing people isnÔÇÖt something they needed to be worrying about, though. DonÔÇÖt Say That shot straight into the good books of fans and writers alike, its addictive hooks and 90s throwbacks satisfying all those who fell into its grasps. Drawing comparisons to all the Britpop greats, DonÔÇÖt Say That has more than put the band in good stead for the coming months, but ÔÇÿtheyÔÇÖre my favourite band from the 90sÔÇÖ harks not to Blur or Oasis as you might expect. Instead, Carl has other ideas: ÔÇÿWe should sound more like Steps I think,ÔÇÖ he smirks, reminiscing on being caught revisiting Steps Gold on a recent trip to Berlin.
Despite the recent release, thereÔÇÖs an air of confidence that surrounds future work. ÔÇÿThereÔÇÖs always new material that weÔÇÖve got in our sights,ÔÇÖ Ryan ensures, detailing hopes of recording ideas throughout the tour. For now, though, itÔÇÖs enjoying the fallout of the debut theyÔÇÖve worked so hard to put out thatÔÇÖs the priority, and do you know what? We donÔÇÖt bloody blame them.
ThereÔÇÖs little left of the 1990s that Buzzfeed havenÔÇÖt got their mucky paws on; breeding sentimentality and nostalgia is, after all, what they do best. But back in 2013, a year after Glaswegian lo-fi indie-pop duo, Honeyblood, first started making waves on the scene, a somewhat unexpected throwback list encroached on the World Wide Web. ÔÇÿHereÔÇÖs Why The Riot Grrrl Movement Will Always Be EmpoweringÔÇÖ seems a fairly left-field rambling for a site more concerned with telling you which Friends character youÔÇÖre most like, but perhaps theyÔÇÖd picked up on something worthwhile this time. ÔÇÿThey were my role models as a teenager,ÔÇÖ lead singer and all-round girl power advocate Stina Tweeddale explains, speaking of the artists behind one of decadeÔÇÖs most vocal subcultures. Characterised by a DIY attitude and fanzines galore, the riot grrrl movement stood up for female-kind worldwide with an influence still felt nearly twenty years down the line; itÔÇÖs 2014 and Honeyblood are part of a resurgence.
ÔÇÿThe biggest compliment is if someone references a [riot grrrl] influence that is very close to my heart, it makes me feel that I’m putting across the right ideas,ÔÇÖ Stina goes on to say. For Honeyblood, itÔÇÖs the ideas that ground the music; grassroots ethics and honesty in both principal and production. ÔÇÿI don’t think anyone can successfully set out to make music in a certain way without making it artificial,ÔÇÖ Stina ventures, thinking about their original aims as musicians.
ItÔÇÖs the authenticity of HoneybloodÔÇÖs debut self-titled release that has earned them a place in Rough TradeÔÇÖs Top 20 Albums of 2014 and the hearts of many, a series of events that still seem phenomenal to the rising duo. ÔÇÿI couldn’t be more thrilled about the reception the album has received,ÔÇÖ Stina enthuses. ÔÇÿIt makes me proud to hear that people enjoy it; it makes me think we did a good job by the people who like the band.ÔÇÖ
And they have; Honeyblood went down a storm, leaving only the future open for discussion. With a support slot for Catfish and the Bottlemen lined up, along with more writing and recording, Stina and drummer Shona arenÔÇÖt letting up any time soon. For Honeyblood, 2015 is shaping up to be ÔÇô in their words – ÔÇÿreally exciting.ÔÇÖ
What’s it like being on a tour supported by one of the most popular music magazines in the UK?
Stina (Honeyblood): To be honest, from day to day it’s just like any other tour! The things I have noticed that are different are the crowds. The people coming to these shows have been great fun! They’ve wanted to dance about and sing, and even crowd surf at some of the crazier gigs! When a crowd is like that, I love every minute of the show.
Ryan (Superfood): ThereÔÇÖs been a lot of work put into the shows promotion wise. ItÔÇÖs always a bit daunting when you play a show and you donÔÇÖt know if thereÔÇÖs only going to be like, five people in the room. ItÔÇÖs nice to know that thereÔÇÖs definitely gonna be a crowd!
 
What has your experience of the music cycle been like over the last couple of years? With the influence of the Internet, it’s a lot easier for artists to get music out thereÔǪ Have you noticed things moving quicker than you expected?
Ryan (Superfood): ThereÔÇÖs been a steady progression with us, even in our live shows. Our last headline tour was to about 20 or 30 people a night.
Stina (Honeyblood): We have been lucky; although the Internet really gave us a big push when we weren’t ready for it, our label FatCat have given us time to develop. I think the Internet has advanced music listening so it can’t be bad! But there are more eyes on the artist nowÔǪ With Instagram and Twitter, youÔÇÖre posting about your life to people, and it can get quite personal. Gone are they days when bands were enigmatic!
 
Do you think music publications have become too interested in ensuring they’re ahead of the up and coming music nowadays? Words like ‘Buzz Band’ and ‘Ones To Watch’ get thrown around a lot; can this have an adverse effect on how people consume music?
Ryan (Superfood): Do you know what, I think it might be the other way around. I think itÔÇÖs normal for the music press to try and jump on a new band, but I think a lot of new bands try to milk that. If they get a bit of hype then they try to go all out and take advantage of that rather than develop naturally as a band. You see a lot of bands start fast then burn out and by that point, theyÔÇÖve put everything out there.
Stina (Honeyblood): I think terms like ‘Ones To Watch’ are for the bands who are different to their scene in some way, and that makes them get attention. But mostly, when I read these terms and the bands they are quoting, I’ve seen the acts at festivals or heard their music already; they’ve been working hard to get noticed like that.
Ryan (Superfood): People will [always] dispose of a band if the next hype band comes along. Its good to have the kind of people that will stick with you through thick and thin and not move on when a new trendy band comes along, with better hairstyles