September 21, 2018

Weekend Recall: HONNE

by flaunt

Atlantic Records U.K. based duo, HONNE, is the eclectic electro-soul group infiltrating the music scene. James Hatcher and Andy Clutterbuck are the masterminds behind the synth-pop music. While meeting at university, the two conceptualized their sound in the industry under the name of Honne (本音)— translating from Japanese as true feelings, those you keep to yourself. While the duo has been crafting their sound since 2014, they most recently released their second album, LOVE ME/LOVE ME NOT.

Capturing life’s emotional rollercoasters, LOVE ME/LOVE ME NOT covers topics of love, nostalgia, contentment, and it’s duality of heartbreak, anxiety, and grief. Jazz-like instrumentation and lusty beats accompany hypnotic vocals, portraying the ups and downs of a 21st-century romance. The split concept album is stacked with contributions featuring the likes of Tom Misch, Anna of the North, and Nana Rogues, to name a few. We caught up with the duo on tour to get a glimpse of a week in their life of dualities:

The scenery driving around the US and Canada is amazing. Sometimes we clamber around the windows trying to get pictures. Smudges on bus windows can be quite upsetting.

One of our favourite parts of touring are the random days off in a place you’ve never heard of. Here’s a picture taken by a passer-by of us in Kamloops.

This is always a good sign. Pardon the pun. This was at The Warfield in San Francisco.

About 5 minutes before doors open, you’ll probably find James and I frantically signing posters by the merch stand.

Side of stage in Santa Cruz. One of the more intimate shows on this run. Amadu our bass player was on one this gig. Must have been that sea air.

A random theme park on our run around Santa Cruz.

Our latest phase is waking up and finding somewhere that’s too far to walk to for breakfast and jogging there. It’s a great way to see a city.

Our merch guy Austin putting in another sterling effort on the merch display in Portland.

This is Mo our drummer. He kicked our football onto a neighbouring bus’s roof. With the help of the other drivers we got it back. Football’s coming home.