Today I will telling you about Alternative Rock Band Heroine Honey as our Artist of the Week!
Here’s their story in their own words!
Heroine Honey is:
Chastity Raper (Lead Vocals)
Steven Raper (Guitar/Vocals)
Brian Cantrell (Bass/Vocals)
Dylan Self (Drums)
VMS: “When did you start writing and performing your music. What’s your backstory.”
Heroine Honey: “Everything started off with Steve (guitar) Chastity (singer) writing songs a few years ago. We teamed up with Brian and we initially had another band name…but after the pandemic settled a bit we linked up with Dylan in 2022 & played our first show as Heroine Honey for the Desert Honeypot showcase at Vamp’d in July of that year.”
VMS: “What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.”
Heroine Honey: “We are a very 90’s inspired band with some definite 60’s pop/rock influence. Nirvana, Soundgarden, The Beatles, Queen, & The Doors are big ones for us.”
VMS: “What’s your writing process and inspiration for your music.”
Heroine Honey: “It differs a bit from song to song, but usually Chastity & Steven write the core of the song, then we share it with the rest of the band and we all work on it together. Inspiration comes from a lot of different things. Usually life itself. The lyrics lean dark, have provactive yet romantic undertones, & a touch of death & self deprecation for good measure lol. The music (though still dark) adds a pop/rock sensibility. This juxtaposition is a recurring theme & has become a bit signature to our sound. Lyrically… I’m a poetry & dark fantasy lover, so that tends to creep in.”
VMS: “I love your songs “Mary Mag”, “Sub Rosa” and “Print in the Sky”. What’s the story or inspiration behind these songs.”
Heroine Honey: “Thank you! They are all personal experiences. I wrote the lyrics to “Mary Mag” & “Sub Rosa” about some of the darkest experiences in my life… and honestly “Print in the Sky” was kind of a fun lyrical venture. That song has a more playful nature & leans more about fantasy and divination.”
Listen to all these songs on Spotify!
“Mary Mag”:
“Sub Rosa”:
“Print in the Sky”:
VMS: “What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.”
Heroine Honey: “We want them to feel nostalgic, but excited to be hearing something familiar, yet unique in its own way. We just want people to feel something real and hopefully recognize how deep our love is for songwriting and playing rock music in a pure form.”
VMS: “Which local artist would you like to work with and why.”
Heroine Honey: “Honestly we have a lot of talented friends in the scene! It would be tough to choose just one.”
VMS: “What’s your overall theme or message of your music.”
Heroine Honey: “Not sure we have a theme, but the importance to keep making music despite the odds of industry/societal standards is an important one. Helping to keep rock music in its pure form alive is another. Showcasing female empowerment & working together equally as a band on our music means a lot to us as well.”
VMS: “Do you have any crazy awesome stories from working in the music scene that you would like to share, or anyone that you have met or loved working with.”
Heroine Honey: “We have had the chance to open up for Steel Panther & LA Guns this past year which was a lot of fun. Both bands were extremely kind & fantastic live! No crazy stories though… yet…”
VMS: “Tell me about your new single “Metanoia”. What’s the story or inspiration behind this song.”
Heroine Honey: “In this song “Metanoia” uses the psychology definition which is used to describe ditching a false self for a more open one. It describes the journey to discovering and embracing your authentic self and it is rarely a pretty one. It’s an intense experience of self surrender. It can be chaotic, dark, and awaken mayhem in the mind, body, and spirit… but will eventually get you to a place where you can start living as your true self. The song can get intense, but I think the music mirrors the energy of the lyrics just as I imagined it would. Plus, the music was written by Steve while he was playing GTA… so I guess that adds to the anxiety and chaos as well lol. On a personal level the song is about the dark path I endured to find myself…I finally got to a place where I wanted to write original songs & pursue being in a band again after previously deciding to quit making music due to associating it with my traumatic past.”
Listen to “Metanoia” on Spotify:
VMS: “What does the future hold for Heroine Honey.”
Heroine Honey: “We are working on a new batch of songs in the studio as we speak, so more music is what’s currently in store. We are hoping to play more shows and tour soon as well. Eventually we would love to tour outside of the country…Our first show in 2024 will be on Jan. 30th opening up for the amazing Jared James Nichols, so the year is certainly starting off with a bang for us & we are very grateful.”
What I’ve always loved about Heroine Honey is what a breath of fresh air their music sounds like. They are bringing back that 90’s gritty pop rock metal vibe that I miss oh so very much, while still keeping true to who they are as a band. They are not afraid to talk about love, sadness, breakups, anger, all while keeping it tight, fast and so incredibly catchy. Chastity’s vocals are a forced to be reckoned with, and the band compliments her abilities with their impeccable musicianship.
I feel they are a beautiful combination of making me feel things, but also could kick my ass in a heartbeat and I always love that juxtaposition in music and in a band. Between their wonderful music diversity and incredible stage shows, they are definitely the ones to watch. I feel they are on the cusp of something great and I know I will always be here for the ride.
—-VMS
For more information about Heroine Honey please follow them on their social platforms:
Official Heroine Honey Website:
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/heroinehoneyband
Spotify:
YouTube: