Today we’ve got the incredible opportunity of presenting and interviewing singer-songwriter and self-titled “Sad Bastard” of music, Sloe Honey. She’s bringing her latest album “Lovesick” to the forefront, delivering a mix mash of emotions and genres with every song. Melissa Trinchere began her career in the early 2000s, releasing a total of 4 studio albums.
She’s no stranger to the music scene. Taking big influences from 90’s RnB, Hip Hop, Funk/Soul, Alternative Grunge, and Electro-Pop. While she went on a break from music to devote herself to her children, she’s back in full force to lead us on a wild ride. Melissa is known for not being afraid to take risks, which is why her music is so unique. Her fans can expect to be taken on an unexpected journey with every song. She has come back stronger and better than ever, ready to showcase her latest work. Her sound is a mix of old and new, creating a fresh style that appeals to old and new fans alike. Melissa’s music is sure to inspire and energize listeners, delivering a much-needed dose of soul and power. She is ready to make her mark on the music industry with her unique and captivating sound.
HI MELISSA! OR DO YOU PREFER I CALL YOU SLOE HONEY? HOW ARE YOU DOING?
Hello! Melissa is good! I’m doing quite well! I am up to my eyeballs in this intoxicating new music energy! I love the process of making an album, and then finally releasing it into the world!
HOW WERE YOUR EARLY MUSIC YEARS? I HEARD YOU WERE GOTH. TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT!
I grew up around music. It was being played on the television, on our home stereo system, and live in my living room (while my parent’s rehearsed for their shows). I was definitely a goth in high school. I dressed the part in all black, velvet, and lace fabrics, corsets, fishnet stockings, doc marten boots, and black lipstick. I would even dye my hair black even though my natural hair color is very dark brown! Haha! I was quite the Type D personality and all I listened to were: The Cure, The Smiths, Nine Inch Nails, Tori Amos, and any sad music that I could find. I’m still a goth at heart, and I adore all things dark and macabre.
YOU HAVE A CHILD. HOW IS YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A MOTHER?
I actually have two children! Being a mother is simultaneously the most difficult and the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I took a long break from my music career to have children, and I focused pretty much 100% on them during the first few years of their lives. Now that they are getting older, I am able to do more with my music again and my heart is very full.
YOU WORKED IN THE INDIE FILM “LOSE YOU” AND CW SHOW “I SHIP IT”. IT’S AMAZING TO SEE A MUSICIAN WHO CAN ALSO ACT! DID YOU ENJOY WORKING ON THOSE PROJECTS?
I was actually a featured vocalist on two songs in the CW’s “I Ship It”, and a featured vocalist in the indie film “Twilight Saga Short Stories: We’ve Been Here Before”. It was an amazing experience to sing those songs that were so masterfully written and composed by Brian Grider. I’m very proud of the work that we did, and I learned to be a more flexible vocalist. I basically had to act with my voice to fulfil the brief – which was to sound like Lana Del Rey!
LET’S DISCUSS YOUR UPCOMING ALBUM “LOVESICK”. HOW DID THE ALBUM’S CREATIVE PROCESS UNFOLD?
Most of the songs on the album were written a long time ago. I even played some of them at my live shows (Torch was one that the audience really loved!). Recording, and re-imagining the songs started out slowly, and I ended up writing a new song during the recording process (album title track, “Lovesick”). I had a pretty solid team throughout and it made the collaboration process incredibly energizing!
WHO ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS FOR THIS ALBUM? IS THERE ANYONE SPECIAL YOU WOULD LIKE TO MENTION?
I was listening to a LOT of Caroline Polacheck and Kimbra during the recording of this album. I was also really, really inspired by Agnes Obel’s album, “Citizen of Glass”. I’m not sure you can hear any of these influences on the album, but the emotion and the passion beneath the music of these women truly inspired me to be completely vulnerable and to give the songs what they needed.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SONG ON THE ALBUM? MINE IS “TORCH”! I REALLY LIKE ITS FOLK SOUND AND RHYTHM.
Thank you! The torch has been a fan favourite for years and it’s definitely one of my favourites! I think “Somewhere in Between” is my favourite song on Lovesick. I had a vision for it in my mind, and my co-producers brought it to life better than I could have ever dreamed of! It was also my mom’s favourite song of mine, and while she is no longer on this earthly plane to hear it as we can – I feel like she would have loved how it turned out.
IN “SHACKLES AND CHAINS” YOU DUET WITH MAX RUNHAM. HAVE YOU WORKED WITH HIM BEFORE? HOW WAS IT?
I found Max Runham on a website called SoundBetter. It’s been such an incredible resource for me to find very talented session musicians, producers, mixers, and mastering engineers. He’s from the UK and it was such a pleasure to work with him through the magic of the internet!
YOU DESCRIBE THE ALBUM AS “TRANSMUTING MY PAIN INTO POWER, INTO BEAUTY, AND INTO PEACE.”. A VERY CURIOUS WAY TO DESCRIBE IT. CAN YOU ELABORATE MORE ABOUT IT?
In 2019, my mother passed away, and it triggered a spiritual awakening of sorts. The year 2020 was very different for me than it was for most of the world due to the pandemic. I started to dive into Spiritualism. I listened to Alan Watts lectures, and read some of his books. Meditation became part of my daily life and I learned that I have the power to turn any emotion, and any feeling into peace. I learned a different perspective on pain and heartbreak. I realize now that when I have expectations and attachments and get disappointed, I can throw myself into that feeling, write about it, sing about it, process it fully, and create art. I feel like I’ve turned all my frustration, sadness, and longing into a peaceful acceptance.
WELL MELISSA, THAT’S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US HERE AT KALTBLUT. IT WAS AN IMMENSE PLEASURE! ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD? MAYBE SOMETHING FOR YOUR FANS?
It was a pleasure for me as well! Thank you so much for talking with me! I would like to tell everyone who listens to my music and supports my art in any way: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can’t help but express myself through music, but your support makes it so much more enjoyable.
