In 2016, Tim Brennan rediscovered songs he was sitting on after years of songwriting for other groups. Armed with the “new” material, he wanted to start a band of his own and soon enough found partners in vocalist Spenser Hook, guitarist Brandon Bagby, and Britain-based drummer Emily Dolan Davies (thank you, Craigslist). The result? The Charleston-ish-based indie-rock band, Honeythief.
The band’s self-titled debut EP came together via an internet collaboration between the members, with Bagby recording his parts in closets and hotel rooms while on tour with other artists. How’d that work out for him? Find out by having a listen to Honeythief’s, debut single, “Pieces,” (below), and learn a little more about the group in this week’s Beat Juice.
What song is stuck in your head today?
Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall — Bob Dylan. For obvious reasons. I’m assembling my hurricane playlist.
Last album you bought?
Paul McCartney’s Egypt Station and Lucero’s Among the Ghosts on MP3 at the same time. But I just got a copy of Robert Johnson’s Delta recordings and Whiskeytown’s Strangers Almanac on vinyl as I rebuild that collection.
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Recent musical discovery?
Castlecomer for some pop candy. They release in October and a friend of mine at a record label has been pushing them lately. The Interrupters for some throwback punk ska. Grandson’s Blood // Water has me interested in his political passion. Then all these good, young rock bands like Royal Blood, Struts, and Badflower. There is just so much to discover every week.
Fave local venue?
Tin Roof. I don’t get there enough, but it feels like home whenever I’m there.
What’s your best, go-to T-shirt?
The cleanest one.
Your hangover cure is …
Water and time.
Last show you went to?
A locals only: Matt Megrue and A Fragile Tomorrow.
What station’s always on your radio dial?
Sirius XM Alt Nation, XMU, or the Spectrum. As much as I’d listen to the Bridge’s list, I just don’t have time for commercials.
Your musical style can be compared to?
Hmm. Classic college alternative? I was influenced a lot by ’80s bands and the alt country of the ’90s, like Wilco. Or newer like Spoon’s Gagagaga record. Their structures stuck with me when I was writing. I try to take simple musical structures with lyrics a few steps above predictable, and introduce as many elements as I can to make them stand out. Every song tries to have a pop element to it, whether I am writing it with an indie vibe, an alt country acoustic, or a three-chords-and-a-cloud-of-dust punk, it all starts with a song.
What band have you been meaning to listen to?
Ty Segall. A guy who knows me says I’d be into him. I just haven’t taken the time.
What’s next for you? Shows, videos, song or album releases?
Ha, trying to round out the band to do some live shows locally. Then really back into the studio. I have another 22 songs that I’d like to commit to recording and see where they go. As much as I enjoy playing live, I really am focused on getting this backlog of songs out of my head and free up space to develop my writing further.
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