For Scottish duo Honeyblood, ‘Babes Never Die’ is more than just a record title: it represents an attitude that bursts through their second album’s storming twelve tracks. As singer and guitarist Stina Tweeddale explains, the genesis of the album was established even before she and drummer Cat Myers had begun writing. “It’s something that I’ve been saying for a long time,” she begins. “It’s like my crazy war cry. I have it tattooed and have had it for around two years now. When we started writing the album I wrote a song called ‘Babes Never Die’ which was the beginning of what became the whole album.”
The album takes Honeyblood to the next level while highlighting an increasing confidence as writers and musicians. It’s “heavier, faster, punkier and more in your face,” Stina excitedly proclaims. It’s almost as if Honeyblood are a completely different band. In a sense, they are as this is the first album recorded with the hard-hitting power of drummer, Cat but when the two of them are together there’s an uncanny alchemy and spark that makes it seem like it’s always been this way. This album is the sound of Honeyblood in full bloom.
Part of Honeyblood’s appeal has always been a sense of playful darkness and a desire never to take themselves too seriously. On ‘Babes Never Die’ this comes together perfectly on an album full of character and rich storytelling.
Its recording allowed the duo to ramp up the theatricality of their music and songs and indulge in all their dark fantasies. “It’s based on real life but has all this creepy, dark imagery intertwined within it,” says Stina. “All these songs are connected and the stories intertwine. The characters intertwine. We did go to a really creepy house in Dumfries to demo which affected the songwriting.”
The creepiness of their environment and feeling of foreboding actually helped to inspire them. “I love being scared,” reveals Stina. “I think it makes things exciting. It’s a rush of adrenalin.”
