Indie duo Fuzzhoneys are set to launch their debut album Love Juice. Adam Brimmer catches up with Caroline Spiteri and Francesca Mercieca ahead of the launch performance.
When did you start working on the new album?
Caroline: We are constantly writing new music, so some of the songs have been written since 2015, such as Period. We finalised seven tracks by the end of 2016, and these were recorded in March 2017 at Temple Studios (Malta).
From this first professional recording session we managed to combine the advice we were given by producer David Vella, to strengthen our drum and guitar duo style. By the end of that same year we went back in the studio to record another four tracks, which were purposely written to make up the 11 tracks for Love Juice.
Does it carry the trademark rebel sound and themes we have come to expect from Fuzzhoneys?
Caroline: The main concept revolves around equality, and is a celebration of self-identity and love. All the tracks have our trademark rebel sound, as I believe it comes through the ‘fuzz’ which would be silly of us to lose. Most of the themes do express a sense of rebellion, however, our softer side definitely comes through, especially with Amy.
Francesca: Lyrically, we have been evolving from day one. The approach was always personal and from the heart, which initiated the blues and rock dynamic. We started by finding what messages we want to convey, both as personal and fictitious stories. Then, from our debut EP CD Tal-Ġenn, to our single and zine release of Femmetastic we increased the noise, expression, soul and character. With this new album we started working on the sum up.
Do you have a favourite track?
Francesca: It depends on the space and time of performing and on the energy of the audience. If it’s an intimate space, it’s Amy, or Luna. If we’re at a venue like Funky Monkey or The Garage, it’s probably Cream and Period.
Caroline: For me, it is usually the one I enjoy playing live the most. At the moment it has to be Bonnie, but this changes constantly.
What was the most challenging aspect in finalising this second album?
Caroline: It’s always time and money – trying to have everything ready within a certain time frame, with enough money to take care of all the expenses. When it comes to writing the music it comes very natural to us and we learnt to work well together musically.
Francesca: If only we could drop everything for a few months and just write, we’d have another two albums. But time and money really restrict us, especially to get all the different mediums/collaborations releasing at the same time.
You will be touring the album in the UK shortly after its release. Which locations are you hitting?
Caroline: The tour will be taking place between November 9 and 17. We will be starting in London at D.I.Y. Space for London, then moving on to Manchester, Sheffield, York, Liverpool, Doncaster and Leeds.
You are known to throw unusual themes at your audience. Where do you get the ideas?
Caroline: We try to make our events interesting, so that the audience can get involved in their own way. We are constantly brewing up ideas, especially Francesca; it is in our nature. The themes are always discussed with the bands we would be hosting the event with, to create more fun and bonding between us.
Francesca: We are but the fruit of our inspiration and experience, so it depends – it can be from concerts we attend, the friends and colleagues we spend our time with, films, books and the internet. Personally, a lot of my stage setting comes from watching Timbre Timber, Laura Marling, Radiohead, Massive Attack, St.Vincent, David Byrne and Anna Calvi. These all really pushed how I see the stage for light, design, projection, performance and intimacy – and I really strive to improve with each experience.
Being a two-person band can get intense. Do you ever get creative disagreements?
Caroline: Besides being different in character from one another, every person has their own perspective to everything, so disagreements of any form are bound to happen.
Francesca: Both agreements and disagreements, even with the collaborations and artists we work with; working in the creative industry has taught me so much on communication and artistic sensitivity. It’s underrated and easily turns the table around when an artist suddenly becomes a client/vice versa. The trick is to be honest and supportive. Just like every other human relationship.
How do you solve any disagreements?
Caroline: Like any sort of relationship, we try to be patient and take the time to talk everything out to decide on a compromise. Having a third person can come in handy sometimes, but we enjoy our dynamic.
Francesca: I really do feel like we’re married a lot of the time. It always boils down to communication, really, and the compromise begins to happen in the midst of that discourse.
If your music was a drink, what would it be?
Francesca: A Single Malt Scotch, coming from the salty shores, with tones of honey. Or maybe a red beer with a design of the moon on the glass and edible glitter swirling around.
What should we expect from the launch event?
Francesca: Expect the celebration of all the mediums combined. The album cover is a painting crafted by Karen Caruana; the light and sound will be a highlight of all the things we dreamed to achieve with our live stages before – having a theatre to showcase a first show with backing singers on stage with us, and enough love and imagination to outline some pretty cool characters in our new array of songs, such as the birth of Venus, Bonnie & Clyde, Glitter and Amy Winehouse, to name a few.
We’ll be sharing this physical CD for the first time with launch day perks if you’re present. The night is about the sound and art within us. We really welcome newcomers as it’s going to be a bigger, familiar space to invite different circles. Being a Sixth Form Hall, not an underground bar or venue, we hope to diffuse the barriers. Whoever is reading, you are beautiful and immensely welcome, so don’t be scared to show yourself and tell us what you think.
Love Juice will be released on Saturday at St Aloysius’ College Theatre Hall, Birkirkara. The band will be supported by Princess Wonderful. Tickets are available at the door. Doors open at 8pm.
www.fuzzhoneys.com