How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
A.I heard about Exposed Vocals from an industry contact and wanted to introduce myself
Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
A. I grew up in Milton Keynes and latterly Northamptonshire, UK. Living pretty much in the middle of nowhere, my passion for music developed very early as I had very little distractions such as TV and shops, so my focus was very strong. I also grew up with a strong passion for dancing. When my parents took my three brothers and I to see a West End show, that’s more or less when I decided I could pursue my love for music and dance and make a real go of it as a career.
Q. How did you come up with the name Hontis? What was your inspiration behind it?
A. Together we were hunting for something that would truly reflect the essence of our music. It’s a very unusual sound yet earthy and classical in some ways. From spending time in the studio together, working through sounds and seeing the stories to these tracks unfold, our creative similarities and differences blending, Jorden began to see a rough sleekness, a knowledgeable naivety about me that reminded him somewhat of a modern day Pocahontas. And there it was, the edgy alternative name we were looking for… Hontis
Q. What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
A. Maybe in the future..
Q. Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
A. Never give up. No matter how long it takes, be persistent. Nothing happens overnight so let your passion for your sound push you to promote your self. Believe that what you are selling will make a difference to people. The thought of people getting pleasure from your music keeps your spirit alive and your music fresh and exciting.
Q. Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
A. Sure, little mistakes here and there but I think it makes each performance exciting. It makes you really alert and you have to let go and allow your self to be truly drawn into the story behind the song. That way if you do, for example, forget a word, your are in the position to improvise along the lines of the story. I’m not going to deny it, the thought of making a mistake absolutely terrifies me but this fear also spurs me on to do the best performance of my life, every time.
Q.Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
A. We haven’t yet begun to tour but the thought pending is very exciting! It will be undoubtedly character builder for me personally, as time away from my home is something I struggle with, but for music…anything. Again, fear is a massive part of our lives. It makes your mind tick, makes you take a chance and do something that scares you which I am all for! So yes, we are very excited about getting on the road!
Q.Where do you usually gather song writing inspiration? What is your usual song writing process?
A. Jorden Milnes is the writer/producer but we always collectively work together to create Hontis’s unique sound. I’m the inspirational muse and Jorden will work ideas into a song and production ready for me to put down vocals. Sometimes you can still be writing at this stage as you can find things change when you hear the vocals laid down so the song and production can adapt as the recording process takes place
Q.Do you have a band website? Do you have a Facebook or Twitter? Do you use Bandcamp, Spotify, ExposedVocals or SoundCloud to share your music?
A. Yes we are currently on Facebook and Twitter and have a youtube channel with our personal website pending.
www.facebook.com/hontisofficial
www.twitter.com/hontisofficial
www.youtube.com/hontisofficial
Q.What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
A. Oooh Boy! Anything from Bon Jovi- Living on a payer to T-Pain- I’m Sprung. One of my personal favourites, Harry Belafonte- Man Piaba. Come on, it’s a classic!…..no?
Q.If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
A. Firstly, I would take my friends and family to a private villa in the sun, relax and spoil them for a few weeks. Family is a very important part of my life, they’re my rock and I treasure them. It’s important they remain a massive part of my life and they deserve the world. I would most likely take this time to invest in my future with my man, get a place of our own. Stability is something I need and getting our house is imperative. You can see me skirting the fact that, yes I would most likely go for a little shop But I would also make sure I donate to the charity where my family sponsor children. We have two we sponsor so that would, with out a doubt, be high on the list.
Along side this, music is never a muted part of my life so no doubt there would be an album or two in the pipeline in this time. I actually think to take a year off would be somewhat impossible for Jorden and me. We both like to keep busy, keep creative and build our success and fan base. Got to keep the fans entertained after all!!
Q.What are you working with now?
A. Our first album is in the pipeline at the minute. The majority is complete, just a few tweaks and additions here and there. It’s very exciting and we are very proud of what we have put together for you.
Q.How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
A. we have had a huge response from our unplugged tracks on youtube. The likes and comments have been fantastic and we are getting more and more requests for live performances and acoustic sets so this is something we are working on and pushing at the moment.
Q.If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
A. Me personally, it would be Emeli Sande in a small cosy venue. You can’t beat the atmosphere of a crammed little Smokey bar, (well minus the smoke but just to set the scene) because the audience get so involved and you can feed off their vibes to create a unique show every time. And as for Emeli, well I am just in awe of her sound, her lyrics and her overall outlook on life. She truly is amazing.
Q.So what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
A. It’s still early days for us so it’s the initial push we’re working towards at the moment. I am raring to get on the BBC Introducing Live Lounge so that’s a personal project I’m determined to get done this year!
Q.If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
A. Designing. I have been running my own business designing various collections from burlesque costumes to bridal head wear so that’s definitely the road I would turn to and indeed will expand upon once the music is under way. I would love to do the two hand in hand and also have 48 hours in a day!
Q.Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
A. Ok now I have an appalling memory so this may not be 100% fact but I expect it’s not far off. I believe The Spice Girls was my first album. What was going through my head? Who knows, I was a kid!
Q.How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
With difficulty. I am, thankfully, a reasonably organised person and have been since I was tiny. This does have it’s down side as I get very stressed if things aren’t going as planned. But yes generally I make sure I make time for my family, help my Mum out when I can, make sure everything’s in order at home as my partner works very long and unconventional shifts which makes things a little trickier but all the same, it keeps me on my toes. Then I will be designing and up keeping sales in my business whilst ensuring I get in my rehearsal time with my guitarist, who happens to be my Little brother, so that is a bonus as I get to keep an eye on him too! (Laughing with regret) He’ll kill me for saying that. It is a lot to deal with but its something you have to do if you want to pursue your passion and when you have people around you who love and support you, it works that bit better.
Q.What should fans look forward too for the rest of 2015 and beyond
A. Well, to put not too fine a point on it, the release of an exhilaratingly fresh sound on an eclectic album with unique twists and turns that will leave you gagging for more! Well, that’s what I’d imagine some might say! Whatever the response, this project truly has my heart and I will be glad to play for people who share the passion and love this unique sound as much as we do!
