Review Fix Exclusive: Good Job Honey Talk ‘Why You So Sticky’ And More

Review Fix chats with Good Job Honey, who discuss their origin in music, influences and so much more.

About the Band:

Originating in Mendocino, CA, while enjoying a few special brownies, cannabis farmers April and Sean Robert alongside Sean’s brother, Austin, formed Good Job Honey in 2012. A year later, the trio expanded to include violinist Tommy Letchworth, drummer Colin Braley, trumpeter Tucker Heintz and bassist Gio Betus. After multiple unforeseen hardships, Good Job Honey is set to release their whimsical, eclectic debut album, Why You So Sticky, on July 30, 2021. 

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music? 

April: Good Job Honey is the first band I have ever sung with professionally, not for lack of desire, just because I have been painfully shy most of my life. Regardless, I have been singing on the sly for as long as I can remember and I always knew it was something I would have to share one day. I credit my husband and bandmate, Sean for giving me the courage and opportunity to sing in public. Once I started, of course, I was hooked. Now you can’t keep me off of the stage! 

Austin: Sean and I grew up around music with our parents exposing us to eclectic genres. I started playing guitar at age 14 when my grandma taught me how to play some chords and I started teaching myself the rest of the way. I’ve been playing in bands ever since. Sean: I had a drum kit in high school. I would get home every day and run up the stairs to play, tossing my backpack off my shoulders on the way up. It was my safe place. I Loved it and would fantasize about playing with a band. Later on, in my early twenties while living in Mexico, my friends asked if I would like to go to their rehearsal to listen to the music. I went and when I got there, everyone was waiting for the drummer who turned out to be a no-show. Everyone was just standing around so I asked if I could noodle around on the kit. Soon the bass player, guitar player, keyboard player and I were jamming hard! When the song stop the keyboard player stood up and exclaimed “hoooo weee!” What song was that? To which I said “we just made it up.” I was then asked if I wanted to practice their set. So I did. At the end of the rehearsal I was told I was playing that night at 8:30. Earlier on, my mother owned and taught at a Montessori School in California. We would sing every morning during circle time. There was always music playing in my house and my parents had fairly eclectic taste, so Austin and I were always surrounded by all kinds of music. 

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like? 

April: For our first album, “Why You So Sticky”,, we had a variety of song-writing methods. A lot of the songs were started by Austin laying down a riff and all three of us closing our eyes and letting our imaginations run wild. Then honing into a theme and working out the words. We always know we are onto something when we can’t contain our excitement over a lyric or an idea for a song. 

Austin: I start with drawing a bath, lighting some candles, and a nice glass of chianti . . .Honestly though, I write wherever I find inspiration in life. 

Sean: I take the rawest emotion from the darkest part of my soul, and wrench it out into the world for all to see. Haha. No. Austin usually What inspires you? April: I like to let the mundane seep it’s way in and inspire me. It’s easy to be inspired by remarkable things, the trick is to see the magic in all the things we often take for granted. Austin: See aforementioned answer. Sean: Real life events. Good music. Food. Love. Travel. Hard work. Magic. 

Review Fix: What does music mean to you? 

April: Music, specifically singing, is the purest form of release I have found. When I sing, I can get lost in that space between consciousness and oblivion, that’s when I know I’m doing it right. I think music creates a realm where people can go to escape. You can listen to the same song over and over and find yourself in the same place, no matter where you are. Music makes it’s own time and space separate from everything else. 

Austin: Music is an integral part of my life and it’s how I express all the different moments, the ups and downs, and share those human experiences with anyone who will listen. 

Sean: Music is very important in my life. Music allows me to be completely present. When I play, I go to a place of serenity. Unbothered by the everyday struggles of existing. 

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you? 

April: Fun, I guess? We try to keep it pretty light. We touch on some deeper things in some of our songs, but I think one of our goals is to find the humor in things. Life is easier with humor. 

Austin: Folk fusion that’ll tickle your fancy. 

Sean: I would describe our music as Folk Fusion. It’s easy on the ears and borrows from many different genres. Our music tells stories. It can be funny sometimes, and at other times, it can be thought provoking or even melancholy. 

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work? 

April: In the studio we have the ability to nitpick everything and work out all the details until they are up to our standards. I think the hardest part of studio recording is knowing when to stop. I love to layer harmonies in the studio, and probably would keep doing so forever if there was no one there to stop me. In live performances, we are able to feel out an audience and give them what they want… or at least what we think they want. You can judge by the expressions of people’s faces if they’re having a good time. You don’t have to guess if you’re doing well on stage; the audience will let you know. 

Austin: Live shows bring a whole different energy because we feed off the crown and vice versa. It’s an indescribable feeling and connection. 

Sean: Our live shows are an experience! We work really hard to put on a good show and like to entertain and engage the crowd. We are very goofy band dorks. In the studio, we are more focused and serious, though it’s not all business. We like to treat the studio like our home. We eat, drink, hang out and let the moments happen naturally. 

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single? 

April: The inspiration for it is pretty self-evident when you listen to the song. What happens when you’re horny but also really tired? It ain’t the best, but it ain’t the worst. This song is Austin’s brain child though, so I’ll let him take it from here… 

Austin: A lethargic paramour. Sean: Couldn’t have said it better myself. 

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2021? 

April: Our goals for 2021 are what our goals would have been for 2020 had the apparent apocalypse not kicked our plans in the shins. We really just want to get our music out there. We finally finished our first album after 5 years and are so excited to finally share it in earnest! Our first three releases will be singles and then the full album will drop in July. We are planning a small tour in the Pacific Northwest to celebrate the full album release. 

Austin: Release the album, tour, and get back in the studio for our sophomore album! 

Sean: We’re really excited to play some live shows again! We’re also getting together a lot of fun content, including a music video that should be out in late June. 

Review Fix: What’s next? 

April: We want to keep writing, recording and performing music. The cat escaped the bag and has no interest in returning! 

Austin: Meow! 

Sean: I could use a nap! April: Amen!