Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing bands coming to town to play this year’s first ever MidWest Friends Fest. Taking place on August 31 at The Southgate House Revival, MidWest Friends Fest features 21 local, regional, and national acts on all 3 stages, as well as a local artist and community partner showcase taking place the first half of the day.

Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Brooklyn’s Honeycrush, an indie/alt/rock artist who will be making their Cincinnati/NKY debut at this year’s fest.

I think you have a really interesting origin story as Honeycrush, so I would love for you to tell our readers a little bit about who you are and how you got started.
 I started Honeycrush as a solo project so I could begin pursuing songwriting. It was a lifelong aspiration that I never thought I’d realize, ever. I thought I missed my chance completely. But right around the pandemic I decided that I had to do it so in 2021 I got a guitar, started learning how to play and started songwriting for the first time ever. I also learned to record and produce myself, then released my first song in 2022. Since then I got a band together, released two EPs, and this year we’re playing our first out of town shows and summer festivals! It’s been an incredibly rewarding whirlwind.

As things developed for you as Honeycrush, was there a moment, or a series of moments that made you realize what it was you wanted to do with the project?
 My only goal for Honeycrush is to become the best songwriter I can be and to find out what that means. Maybe at some point, that will shift into having a desire to make a certain style of music, but right now the goal is exploration and discovery. It’s very much a delayed experiment in finding out what kind of songwriter I am, what kind of stories are important for me to tell, and of course what kinds of sounds come out when I pick up my guitar.

Are there any particular sonic touchstones that maybe influence you more now than when you were just getting started - where do you think your sound lies at the moment, and do you see yourself staying in that sandbox or do you feel like, just getting started, there’s a lot more evolution to come?
 I get comparisons to Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey, and to Dolores O’Riordan sometimes, but the artists that have influenced me the most are Fiona Apple and Kurt Cobain. I think Kurt’s melodies left a huge stamp on my brain and that alternative, ‘90s sombre rock thing really formed me. Fiona’s approach to songwriting has always been a touchstone for me, too. Not that we write the same way, just that if I ever doubt myself as I’m writing I think, “What if Fiona wrote that…” and that makes me give myself more grace or refine it in a more objective way. I’m in a moment where the sound of the songs are evolving. They’re definitely taking on a gentler, acoustic kind of vibe now, but I’m not usually satisfied with sticking to one mood. I feel like there will be periods where the music is heavier, then a little more experimental and bare. I’m excited to make all of it, honestly!

Can you tell our readers how you got involved with MidWest Friends Fest, and what you’re most looking forward to?
 The internet, baby! Jared tagged me in a Threads post when my band and I announced our tour schedule to see if we would ever want to come to Cincinnati and I said of course, and the conversation took off from there. I’m so excited because this will be my first ever festival and our first festival as a band. The lineup looks incredible and the venue is jaw-droopingly beautiful from what I’ve seen.

Have you been to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky before? What are you excited about doing or seeing while you’re in the area?
I was there over a decade ago but this will be totally different. I’m excited to meet everyone and get some good, good food, so, send suggestions!

Is there anything else you would like to add or mention?
 If you want to follow along on our journey, sign up for the free newsletter on honeyyycrush.com. New music will be out in late fall and I’ll be sharing everything across socials, of course. Honeycrush on Spotify, Apple Music, etc., IG honeyyycrushmusic

Find out more about Honeycrush on the MidWest Friends Fest website, where you can also stream music from all 21 bands, follow along on social media, and purchase tickets to the event. If Facebook is more your speed, check out the event page and be sure to RSVP to let your friends know you’re ready to have some fun.

Check out the stage lineups and set times below - we’ll see you at the fest!