sound check: Sweet Times with Easy Honey

Charleston-based indie rock stalwarts Easy Honey are riding the waves of another big year. First came their headlining tour this spring in support of their new EP, “Plaid,” followed by a summer romp up and down the East Coast on Surf Tour, kickstarted with their inaugural appearance at Lollapalooza. Then came a new “Rock Hall Rising” session at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The band’s growing recognition—earned through talent, passion, and undeniable work ethic—is hard to miss.

Since their 2017 formation, these Sewanee students who moved to Charleston in 2019 (Selby Austin—vocals, guitar; Darby McGlone—vocals, guitar; Webster Austin—bass, vocals; and Charlie Holt—drums, vocals) have created a ripple effect of feel-good energy through a sound equal parts introspective and rowdy. “Plaid” is a five-song grab bag of what makes Easy Honey great: guitar-driven fun, emotive lyrics, down-south nostalgia, and a harmonica feature on opening track “Basement Kissing” that’ll make you feel right at home no matter wherever you are. 

How is life on the road treating you?

It’s been a good year—a crazy year. We did our biggest headline tour to date, including the West Coast for the first time. We drove to Phoenix in three days straight, and it was the loudest crowd we have ever had. 

Your first Lollapalooza? 

Yes, and a very humbling experience. The coolest thing was how many people rail riding there had seen us before, fans we recognized from Florida to the Midwest. Our ride-or-dies. We’re so thankful they celebrated Lollapalooza with us!

Tell us about the Surf Tour?

We’ve been doing it for a couple of years now. It’s a concept tour of sorts: We bring our surfboards, get in some surfing, and partner with local groups on cleanups, like Coastal Expeditions Foundation and Charleston Waterkeeper. The litter sweeps are important—and hot, sweaty fun—but it’s really about spreading awareness. 

How was this summer’s hometown show at the Windjammer?

Exciting as always! While all the local venues are great, the Windjammer is pretty unique: people love being there, it’s beautiful, and it’s just fun to play. We got to road test some new songs. And we had these giant inflatable honey bears, lent to us by San Francisco-based artist fnnch. A whole logistical thing, but they turned out great. Long live the honey bear!

Any new music?

Yeah! “Dizzy Sunday” came out in October and “Adieu” drops mid-November. They’re rockers. While “Plaid” was built on the idea of going into the woods and writing music, these were more “Let’s get in the room together and just rock these out and play them live.”

How did “Dizzy Sunday” come about?

We co-wrote it with Kevin Griffin from Better Than Ezra. We had the song, but we were stuck on the chorus. We went to his place in Nashville, pulled up the demo, got the acoustics out, and had some fun. Kevin was a joy to work with. We ended up recording it with him, so he produced it as well. 

What about “Adieu?”

We recorded it in California with pop and R&B producer Imad Royal (Doja Cat, Carly Rae Jepson, Rico Nasty). We went in thinking it might be a straight pop track, and it ended up as indie rock. 

What’s next?

A short little tour this winter. Possibly some renegade shows downtown. We’re chasing goosebumps moments. We’re on the train of the slow burn—with every show, song, fan by fan, experience by experience, we’re creating the world of Easy Honey, built on a feeling that once you get out of your own way, it’s just there. It always has been. We feel like everyone goes through that.  

SOUND BITES

Easy Honey in three words. Passionate. Sentimental. Corduroy. 

Favorite Charleston hangs? Longboard surf session at 6th Street on Folly, a drink at Chico Feo, going home and grilling out with friends. A late-night visit to The Break on James Island.

On-the-road essential soundtrack? Turnstile’s record “Never Enough” and anything by folk singer Gillian Welch.

Current favorite song to play live? “Homesick.” Typically our show-closer, it means what you’re looking for is probably right here. 

What can fans expect from an Easy Honey show? Connection—with other people, with themselves, with the music. And to dance their asses off.