Interview - Justin Honigstein
Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing an up-and-coming vocalist whom I have the honor of calling a close friend, someone who enjoys and excels at music, Justin "Honeystone" Honigstein.
Justin is a vocalist who has been passionate about music for over a decade, but has recently dedicated his life and self full-time to pursue his passion as a musician in Chicago. He has been a part of multiple Acapella groups, bands, chorus' and chorales throughout his life, all of which have eventually led him to this point in his musical career. He recently created a YouTube channel under the name Honeystone, feel free check out some of his highlights below:
Hallelujah Cover:
A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke Cover) :
Justin took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for Computed Beats:
CB: How long have you been singing?
JH: I've been singing for about 10 years now.
CB: 10 years, that's almost half your life man, what made you start singing?
JH: I have always been a sports kid, but I got compliments on my voice, and ever since my Bar Mitzvah 10 years ago, I auditioned for a musical in 8th grade and have not stopped singing ever since.
CB: Amazing, where has music taken you?
JH: It all started off with the 8th grade musical, after that I joined a co-ed Acapella group in high school called the Orphenians , while doing chorus and chorale on the side as well as getting into musical theater. After that, my whole life revolved around it; in college I joined another male Acapella group called the Bison Chips. All this music exposure led me to meet different bands, friends and contacts that were all musically inclined. I was also flown once from Prague to Lewisburg, PA to perform for a weekend, it was incredible, easily one of the most memorable weekends of my life. Most recently, I performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City with the New York City's Men's Glee Club.
CB: Throughout this journey, who do you think inspired you the most?
JH: It would definitely have to be Van Morrison. He continues to do so every day.
CB: Great choice my friend, why do you think that is?
JH: I kind of see myself in him, or him in me , let's be real. His music and songs are heavily based on vocals, which I love. He sings with an incredible passion, which I relate to and portray myself. His music also falls under my favorite singing genres: Rock, Funk and Soul.
CB: So Rock , Funk and Soul are your favorites, how willing are you to expand ?
JH: Yes they definitely are. I am more than willing to expand and have tapped in to other genres over the years. Punk music has expanded my vocal range significantly. I have also sang R&B and blues songs over the years.
CB: How do you fill your days with music usually?
JH: Oh man, so many different ways, I have recently just picked up the guitar and have been practicing that 2-3 hours a day. I have also been practicing writing my own lyrics and themes to different chord progressions on the guitar that I'm learning. So it is kind of a simultaneous expansion of knowledge. I obviously am always listening to music, going to concerts, talking to other artists and finding new music on the internet, all different sources to garner some new inspiration. I have also just purchased some new recording equipment that I have been learning to use along with its software for mixing, mastering and editing. Some video editing has come in handy also, that's why all my YouTube videos are so cool.
CB: What is your plan musically?
JH: I made the decision to leave my job and move to Chicago in order for music to be my primary focus in life. I looked at Chicago, New York City, Austin and Nashville as possible cities to move to, as they are all very musical, and came to the conclusion that Chicago is the best one out of the bunch for me. Chicago has a thriving Rock N' Roll and Blues scene and I knew it would be the best pick for me . I have also taken it upon myself to dedicate myself full-time to becoming a better musician. I plan on doing so by growing myself as a solo musician, getting better at the guitar and enhancing and sharpening my musical ear. I also want to find and meet people with similar musical interests and goals as myself. Finally, I want to create a band where I can be the lead vocalist and start creating music.
CB: What is the ultimate goal ? Where are you planning to go with this?
JH: I would honestly love to support myself as a musician. Ideally, a Van Morrison or a Stevie Wonder caliber musician is what I thrive to become. Realistically though, I want to create a band along the lines of Phish or My Morning Jacket, in the sense that they are both cult bands. Bands who have fans who are fully dedicated to their music and are also bands that create live concert experiences that are always memorable and special.
CB: Why should people buy into Honeystone, what do you have to offer?
JH: My greatest asset as a person not just as a musician is that I want to connect with my fans and my audience on an emotional level. I want to make people feel my music, not just listen to it. It is all about feeling for me. If it wasn't for the feeling I get every time I sing or listen to music, I wouldn't be doing this in the first place.
CB: Last words?
JH: I actually just recorded a new song today with my new equipment, check it out. And for Honeystone, this is only the beginning.
CB Update: Here's the video for said song:
Atlantic City - The Band Cover:
_________________________________________________________________________________
I honestly cannot wait to hear what else is going to come from the Honeystone laboratory. He has so much raw, untapped potential that he will do amazing things with. Best of luck to him . Hope you enjoyed this read, and as always , stay tuned for more awesome music !
Justin is a vocalist who has been passionate about music for over a decade, but has recently dedicated his life and self full-time to pursue his passion as a musician in Chicago. He has been a part of multiple Acapella groups, bands, chorus' and chorales throughout his life, all of which have eventually led him to this point in his musical career. He recently created a YouTube channel under the name Honeystone, feel free check out some of his highlights below:
Hallelujah Cover:
A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke Cover) :
Justin took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for Computed Beats:
CB: How long have you been singing?
JH: I've been singing for about 10 years now.
CB: 10 years, that's almost half your life man, what made you start singing?
JH: I have always been a sports kid, but I got compliments on my voice, and ever since my Bar Mitzvah 10 years ago, I auditioned for a musical in 8th grade and have not stopped singing ever since.
CB: Amazing, where has music taken you?
JH: It all started off with the 8th grade musical, after that I joined a co-ed Acapella group in high school called the Orphenians , while doing chorus and chorale on the side as well as getting into musical theater. After that, my whole life revolved around it; in college I joined another male Acapella group called the Bison Chips. All this music exposure led me to meet different bands, friends and contacts that were all musically inclined. I was also flown once from Prague to Lewisburg, PA to perform for a weekend, it was incredible, easily one of the most memorable weekends of my life. Most recently, I performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City with the New York City's Men's Glee Club.
CB: Throughout this journey, who do you think inspired you the most?
JH: It would definitely have to be Van Morrison. He continues to do so every day.
CB: Great choice my friend, why do you think that is?
JH: I kind of see myself in him, or him in me , let's be real. His music and songs are heavily based on vocals, which I love. He sings with an incredible passion, which I relate to and portray myself. His music also falls under my favorite singing genres: Rock, Funk and Soul.
CB: So Rock , Funk and Soul are your favorites, how willing are you to expand ?
JH: Yes they definitely are. I am more than willing to expand and have tapped in to other genres over the years. Punk music has expanded my vocal range significantly. I have also sang R&B and blues songs over the years.
CB: How do you fill your days with music usually?
JH: Oh man, so many different ways, I have recently just picked up the guitar and have been practicing that 2-3 hours a day. I have also been practicing writing my own lyrics and themes to different chord progressions on the guitar that I'm learning. So it is kind of a simultaneous expansion of knowledge. I obviously am always listening to music, going to concerts, talking to other artists and finding new music on the internet, all different sources to garner some new inspiration. I have also just purchased some new recording equipment that I have been learning to use along with its software for mixing, mastering and editing. Some video editing has come in handy also, that's why all my YouTube videos are so cool.
CB: What is your plan musically?
JH: I made the decision to leave my job and move to Chicago in order for music to be my primary focus in life. I looked at Chicago, New York City, Austin and Nashville as possible cities to move to, as they are all very musical, and came to the conclusion that Chicago is the best one out of the bunch for me. Chicago has a thriving Rock N' Roll and Blues scene and I knew it would be the best pick for me . I have also taken it upon myself to dedicate myself full-time to becoming a better musician. I plan on doing so by growing myself as a solo musician, getting better at the guitar and enhancing and sharpening my musical ear. I also want to find and meet people with similar musical interests and goals as myself. Finally, I want to create a band where I can be the lead vocalist and start creating music.
CB: What is the ultimate goal ? Where are you planning to go with this?
JH: I would honestly love to support myself as a musician. Ideally, a Van Morrison or a Stevie Wonder caliber musician is what I thrive to become. Realistically though, I want to create a band along the lines of Phish or My Morning Jacket, in the sense that they are both cult bands. Bands who have fans who are fully dedicated to their music and are also bands that create live concert experiences that are always memorable and special.
CB: Why should people buy into Honeystone, what do you have to offer?
JH: My greatest asset as a person not just as a musician is that I want to connect with my fans and my audience on an emotional level. I want to make people feel my music, not just listen to it. It is all about feeling for me. If it wasn't for the feeling I get every time I sing or listen to music, I wouldn't be doing this in the first place.
CB: Last words?
JH: I actually just recorded a new song today with my new equipment, check it out. And for Honeystone, this is only the beginning.
CB Update: Here's the video for said song:
Atlantic City - The Band Cover:
_________________________________________________________________________________
I honestly cannot wait to hear what else is going to come from the Honeystone laboratory. He has so much raw, untapped potential that he will do amazing things with. Best of luck to him . Hope you enjoyed this read, and as always , stay tuned for more awesome music !
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