By Eileen Tilson
Did you know that before the launching a songwriting partnership for honeyhoney with Suzanne Santo, guitarist Ben Jaffe composed music for Nickelodeon and various cartoon shows? Meanwhile, Santo paid the bills as an actress, landing supporting roles in Law & Order, Blind Justice and the Sigourney Weaver film Imaginary Heroes. This couple is no stranger to the limelight. Originally on Kiefer Sutherland’s label Ironworks, their first album First Rodeo hit strong with audiences with hit single “Little Toy Gun.” To support the release of Billy Jack, the pair will take their full band on the road for a 41-date nationwide “Ten Buck Tour,” a co-headlining trek with indie folk singer-songwriter Joshua James that begins on September 21st—with all tickets priced at $10 or less. They joined us for our 5GB series.
What is the the first gig you ever went to?
It was Grateful Dead in March of ’93 or ’94 — the last show they played in Atlanta before Garcia died. I don’t remember it that well — I was only nine, but I do remember hippies dancing in the aisles and dancing with them. And the smell of weed smoke. Never forgot that one after that.
Best gig you have ever played/performed at?
We are neck in neck with the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival two summers ago when the power went out in front of 10,000 people and a bad ass show in Denver when we opened up for Xavier Rudd and broke a record in merchandise sales. That Denver crowd was so damn uplifting.
Best gig you’ve ever been to?
One of Suzanne’s “favorite” gigs, as I can’t really pick a best gig that I’ve attended, was Old Crow Medicine show at Coachella 2 years ago. They played so damn well together. The guitar player broke a string and I watched him restring his guitar mid song and get it up and running just before busting into a wicked solo. Ben’s best / favorite gig was a local LA show by a guy named Benji Hughes who blew his god damn mind. Benji wore a cape. With no shirt.What is the gig you would most like to play?
At this point, probably SXSW next year. We’re in the process of doing our application and lining up showcases. We’ve heard so much about Austin, and can’t wait to go. That or NXNE in Toronto, which we were invited to when we were up there.
Gig you are most excited to play?
It’d be pretty rad to play “Late Night with Jools Holland.”
If you could put your dream lineup on a gig, who would it be?
In no particular order, honeyhoney would cream their jeans to playing alongside Tenacious D, Mozart and Biggie Smalls. Seriously.
honeyhoney is playing Smith’s Olde Bar with Joshua James, Oct. 1
