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Honeythieves are less a regular band than a musical meeting of minds. Two producers and a singer/songwriter with thousands of miles between them, dozens of diverse projects behind them and a shared aim to push themselves creatively, the trio makes music that effortlessly crosses genres and oozes modern soul. Fronted by Havana-born, jazz-trained singer, songwriter and guitarist Liset Alea – whose previous credits include fronting acclaimed New York-based band Etro Anime and penning hits for Pop Idol winners and platinum-selling Czech artist Ewa Farna – Honeythieves began their journey almost by accident. Five years ago, Liset was taken to a Paris studio by a percussion player friend, where she met renowned French composer, producer and dj Alexkid, then a staple of the famous F Communications stable, whose credits as a remixer include Llorca, Richard Dorfmeister, George Michael and Astor Piazolla among others. “I heard Liset sing that day,” recalls Alex. “Right away, I knew I had to work with her. I didn’t even want to let her out of the studio.” Though Liset was soon to begin work on her debut, the pair managed to record three tracks together featured on Alexkid’s Mint and Caracol albums. The response to the songs was overwhelming – two were featured in different episodes of TV series Six Feet Under and Las Vegas, and ‘Come with me’ became a major hit in European clubs. When Alexkid later discovered that his friend and fellow F Comm producer, Brussels-based Olivier Mateu (hidden behind The Youngster and Rodriguez Junior) - had also begun working with Liset, he suggested the trio become a band “Olivier and I were already looking for a joint project because we were big fans of each other’s music,” says Alex. “When I found out he knew Liset, it made sense for the three of us to join forces, rather than battle from different corners. “Both Olivier and I have made mostly electronic music. We were looking to explore other musical interests we share, like R&B and hip hop. All three of us also love good pop music - proper pop with strong melodies. We agreed we wanted to include pop in our productions, possibly even bring in a bit of folk, but filtered through our electronic backgrounds.” Still, Honeythieves didn’t set out with a specific musical destination in mind. “We had a menu of likes and dislikes, but no fixed idea of the sound we were aiming for,” explains Liset. “We all liked the idea of an electronic album with strong songwriting. We sought to make intelligent songs that tell a story and show emotion, but are modern in sound.” Since forming, while still working on individual projects, Honeythieves have squeezed in several studio sessions in Paris, Brussels or Berlin. Mostly though, tracks from their We Are entitled debut album, were written by parts being emailed across the world to each other - with Alex and Olivier working on the beats and Liset in Miami (where she has lived for the last two years), composing lyrics and melodies. “I could bang out the bones of a melody on a table, add a few vocals, then send it to the boys and they could turn it in to great song,” says Liset. “They are amazing. We could feel the chemistry between us, even when we were all in different countries.” Honeythieves’ beautiful music takes in broody electronica, fluttering dancefloor beats, sweet dreamy pop. In the atmospherics and layers of sound, there are nods to other electronic artistes, though the stylish songs are more uplifting than melancholic. Little wonder since, for lyricist Liset, Honeythieves marked the end of low chapter in her life. “When we began the project, I was at a point in my life where I was closing a lot of doors and getting myself out of certain situations that were no good for me,” she reveals. “I was trying to pull myself back up, both emotionally and career-wise. “What had gone wrong? Let’s just say, everyone cracks now and again. A lot of shit had happened – love and work was falling apart for me. This album helped me get my life back together.” “For all of us, recording the album was so rewarding,” adds Alex. “We had total control of this project – no-one telling us what to do or making suggestions as to how the songs should sound. We all had a great time. You can hear that in the music.” The first song Honeythieves completed was forthcoming, first single Reminder, which is already being used to soundtrack a series of TV adverts for leading, Scandinavian & Baltic fashion house Lindex. With a riff reminiscent of late-80’s electro-pop, a slinky bassline and Liset’s sultry vocals, Reminder is smart, sassy, atmospheric electro-pop. Also among the album’s highlights is The Riddle. “When we recorded The Riddle, we knew we had hit on our sound,” smiles Alex. “It’s that mix of soul, electronics, odd sounds and a great melody. Production-wise, we knew we had achieved exactly what we set out to do.” Another band favourite is the haunting On 14th, which sets lyrics with a childlike sense of wonder to skittery beats and a lovely, chiming tune. “On 14th is about walking through Union Square in New York,” says Liset. “I was actually in Brussels and Olivier gave me this incredibly colourful, little backing track. It was almost a music box sound. I put in on my headphones and spent the day walking around Brussels on my own, imagining being back in New York, watching the sunset. I returned to my hotel room and wrote the song straight away. When I played it to Olivier, he cried.” “That song will always be very special to me,” says Olivier. “I get a strange vibration every time I hear it. You can really hear the three of us connecting on that track.” Honeythieves will tour their debut album WE ARE throughout the world. Meanwhile, Liset may or may not be designing a range of Honeythieves underwear. “I have an idea to do underwear with coloured honeycombs and Rubik’s Cube designs,” she giggles. “For men or women? Oh, definitely both. The great thing about this whole project is that it was made in our own image, with our own creativity. There was no major label pushing us in a certain direction, so we got to choose our own path. If we want to sell underwear at our concerts that’s what we’ll do. In Honeythieves, we can do whatever we want.” |
Liset AleaCuban born, American assembled, and European adopted, singer and songwriter Liset Alea is at home anywhere. After leaving Cuba - and as if to try and prove the point - she has lived in Costa Rica, Miami, New York, Amsterdam, London, and Paris, absorbing influences as she goes. Being fluent in English, Spanish and French, and having a working Dutch, Italian and German has certainly eased her passage. Olivier Mateu aka Rodriguez Jr.Not many electronic music producers manage to release award-winning albums, sell shedloads of 12''s and perform the world over before they hit the big 3-0. Over the past nine years he and his partner in crime have released loadsof EPs and remixed tracks of dozens artists. Now holed-up in the Belgian capital, Olivier’s Rodriguez project is the product of an almost schizophrenic brand of creativity, and a thirst for the new and unexpected. While it’s all electronic, and put together largely in Rodriguez’s own MLab Mk5 studio in Brussels, his music can be leftfield and experimental or rich, melodic and poppy – depending on his mood. This is probably why Rodriguez Jr has released award winning material on imprints like Anja Schneider’s «Leena», Claude Von Stroke’s «Mothership», «Boxer Records» or «Giant Wheels», ... and even more exciting things to come during the year 2009. Beyond the dancefloors, he has also collaborated with brands looking for a modern, urban and organic indentity, like Hugo Boss or Gucci. Be prepared for the unexpected. Freedom indeed. Alexis Mauri aka AlexkidFrom roots in early nineties Parisian rave culture, this multi instrumentalist, composer, remix artist, DJ and sound engineer has set on a formidable trajectory since Laurent Garnier invited him to put out his debut single, ‘Playground’, in 1997. Alongside definitive producers like St.Germain and Mr.Oizo, Alexkid spent many years as a flagship artist for Garnier’s F Communications label, playing a pivotal role in sculpting the profile of French electronic music both at home and abroad while developing his own inimitable identity. Refining his production skills over three critically lauded albums, Alexkid has mastered a kaleidoscopic range of styles from his early experiments with Drum and Bass, Nu Acid and Electro to the sparse House and Dub textures he is best known to weave today. His 2001 debut album of Funked up House, ‘Bienvenida’, compiled some of the best tracks from earlier single releases, including a collaboration with Austrian downtempo master Dorfmeister. The early success of these diverse and accomplished productions would prove prophetic of what was yet to come. 2003 saw the release of deep electro house single ‘Come With Me’, featuring the vocals of New York artist Liset Alea. A slick and seductive cocktail of stuttering beats and sultry pads, the track made it’s way onto numerous mixes and compilations, also being reinterpreted by Brett Johnson and Canadian electro mogul Tiga in a series of remix EP’s on F Communications. Leaving no time for dust to settle, his sophomore album ‘Mint’ firmly embedded Alexkid in the electronic landscape. An electronic missionary, Alexkid has taken his epic live arrangements and inventive DJ sets to the four corners of the map and everywhere in between, transferring his early infatuation with the live spectacle into moist celebrations of the moment. Connection is key, and Alexkid’s intuitive interpretations of other artist’s music extends far beyond the DJ booth. After ending five years of residency in Berlin's Weekend club, he has finally moved to the German capital where he's now set his base at Water-gate club. In demand as a remix artist, he has lent remixes to everyone from Damian Lazarus to George Michael, cultivating a collaborative understanding that is no more present than in the minimalist pop leanings of his 2006 album ‘Caracol’. Alexkid tamed his ecstatic compositions into works of profound balance and precision. Working as much with the absence of sound, punches of silence punctuated slick productions in a body of work that simultaneously complimented both dance floor and kitchen floor. With a collaboration with Berlin minimal troupe M.A.N.D.Y in the works, as well as forthcoming releases planned on both Cadenza , Rekids and NRK, 2009 looks to be another significant chapter in the ever transforming and enterprising career of Alexkid. Mat Dryhurst |
Honeythieves are currently looking for a record deal.
The RAC remix of Reminder was recently picked up for an episode of 90210 while an instrumental version was used in Entourage.
Coming soon
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Liset Alea : vocals Recorded & mixed in Paris at Taklab Studio, Brussels at Mlabmk4 and Berlin at The 12th Floor. Mastered by FST at DubPlates & Mastering (Berlin) |
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HERE TO FORGET YOUI’ve been waiting here ‘Cause I can’t do anything I Came Here to Forget You Yesterday I woke up I came Here to Forget You forget Lyrics : Liset Alea THE RIDDLEI am the flute melody finish me ------ Paroles : Liset Alea TALK TO MEI’ve got something that’ll make you wanna talk I got a little taste to give you Oh why do u wait so long Talk to me I don’t throw coins in the fountain Oh why do u wait so long? Go ahead pretending I’m not here Oh why do you wait so long? Talk to me
Lyrics : Liset Alea REMINDERNobody Knows I need a reminder to open up my eyes Don’t forget the ones that turn you on Nobody knows Clean me up Need you to remind me to forget I need a reminder to open up my eyes Don’t forget the ones that turn you on I need u to give it Chorus Lyrics : Liset Alea ON 14thI was walking on 14th I’m the same girl If I told you since I lost you is this Lyrics : Liset Alea ALL I AMwhen u’ve had something good when I’m with you is this like heroin? I always thought the day I feel but I cant tell u what I want from u make it hard to stop your touch is something else I’ve gone from solid stone Lyrics : Liset Alea RUN AWAYyou can’t see the stars I wanna run , run away I wanna run, run away where do u wanna go? if you were me I wanna run , run away I wanna run , run away where do you wanna go? Lyrics : Liset Alea OUT OF BODYJ’aime succomber à la tentation. I like to fall into temptation I’m gonna overtake you slowly You take me out Everyone tells you not to follow You take me out Viens… And when you’re gone I’m so gone Nobody’s ever done this to me You take me out Lyrics : Liset Alea I FELL ASLEEPThe past is gone could it be our favorite street could it be so many things could it be I think I fell asleep…
Lyrics : Liset Alea |
Reminder Remixes |
Reminder Versions |
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Coming soon
Management: Adam Elfin & Jean-Michel Reusser |
Booking agent: |
Myspace: |
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Website designed by Olivier Chabance @ Graphite Multimedia Accordion navigation by stickmanlabs Honeythieves logo & original artwork : Nim Ben-Reuven Reminder Video : Gella Zefira & Mark Lovato |
