We Are The Honorable South

First things first, please introduce for me the members of The Honorable South…

Charm: I am the Rock-n-Soul Goddess, Electric Soul Lady, vocalist, Supernova, and songwriter, Ms. Charm Taylor. THS is my brother, guitarist and composer Matthew Rosenbeck. My ”twin,” bassist and songwriter, Charles Lumar II. The drummer of the decade, Jamal Batiste, and renowned guitarist and executive producer of our last two albums, Danny Kartel — We are The Honorable South.

How did you all actually come together to form the group?

Charm: Matthew and I, Ms. Charm Taylor, met at a lounge in downtown New Orleans (in) 2008, and began working together after we learned that we both loved Rock music. In 2009, we released an Electronic Rock EP called Dirty in the Light, which featured Jamal Batiste on drums. Danny actually worked sound at our first live performance. The band expanded to include the rest of the South between 2011-2012.

Where did your moniker originally derive from?

Charm: Anyplace south of the Mason-Dixon line has a bad reputation because of such a bloody racial past. However, the south was and still is home to some of the world’s most courageous freedom fighters and hardest workers. So, it’s impossible to just write it off as just a bunch of bandits. If we do that then we turn our history and our future over to the bad guys. The people here know how to bounce back from any and all challenges. The name originates from our belief that New Orleans is truly the most culturally unique and spiritually strong city in the country. There is something extremely honorable about preserving and living through centuries old traditions of African Americans, French, Spanish, Haitian and Native Americans, in the 21st century with such style and ease!

How would you describe and/or define the style of music that you all create and perform?

Charm: It depends on the song; a song like “Lions for Higher” or “Bass on the Pavement,” we describe as ‘Freedom Trapp Music.’ (It’s) melody and flow over heavy trap production, but instead of selling dope we’re selling light! Most of the time, we do this thing we like to call ‘Electric Soul Rock’n’Roll’! Our sound reminds people that Rap, Soul and Rock, share the same angst, edge, attitude and power. Our concerts are dope Rock’n’Roll parties with a message.

Last month saw the release of your sophomore collection Faithful Brave & Honest — Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you all?

Charm: Those three words are like our code of arms. It’s what has kept us together as a band, and what has kept me, Charm Taylor, together as an individual. When you grow up amongst violence, poverty and crime, and make a conscious decision not to fail, not to get locked up, not to drop out of school, but instead to soar, well that takes a whole lot of faith, courage and character. You don’t have to mess people over to win. Despite what the statistics said little brown girls from the ‘hood were likely to become, I’ve just been chasing my higher self all my life.

How does Faithful Brave & Honest either differ and/or compare to previous The Honorable South efforts?

Charm: We planted an incredible amount of seeds since the season of I Love My Tribe, our debut album, and I think the process was creatively fruitful. We’ve grown into ourselves and we own our sound. Faithful Brave & Honest captures all sides of our sound. Songs like “Love Me or Leave Me Alone,” featuring the late Soulja Slim, amplify our Soul, Rap and Rock tendencies. While a song for lovers like “Overdue,” blends electric guitar and hypnotic 808. I’m proud that we were brave enough to take our listeners on an adventure just beyond the surface of Pop music. I’m proud of our journey and all of our growth.

Reflecting, how did you all first discover your musical talent?

Charm: We’ve always been lovers of sound. Danny started playing guitar fairly early, as did Matthew. Charles and Jamal were both passionate and technically trained and talented. They played in Honors Band years ago. I’ve been dressing up in my grandmother’s mink coats and jewelry, running into the kitchen and performing old Soul songs, as well as original songs, for my family since I was little girl. Danny had a number one song with “Slow Motion,” before I’d even graduated high school!

Who have been your greatest inspirations musically and why?

Charm: All the great truth-tellers like Nina Simone, Tupac, OutKast, Curtis Mayfield, Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, Erykah Badu, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Santana. They were never afraid to tell real stories, no matter how dark or grim, and they connected with people from all walks of life. There was always a message to the music, and a sense that those musicians were on a mission to master themselves, push boundaries and push the world to better. I simply adore the indie-Rock band Modest Mouse. If you ask me, those guys designed that genre, and Isaac Brock is a phenomenal storyteller. I can’t forget the “Goddess,” Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs! She is so fierce and a huge inspiration to me.

What do you feel you all offer the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?

Charm: There are an overwhelming amount of artists creating music that pins folks against one another. The vibration is so negative. It’s all very “I have this because I’m better than you are and I look prettier in my selfie!” or “I hate him and I only love my money!” Although I believe all art and types of energy have the right to be here, we choose to create from a different place and a higher vibration. Songs like “The Sun Dance” or “Lions for Higher,” say WE — all of us — are the victors! And, WE have dreams and WE have everything we need to propel ourselves forward in life all inside of us. We are largely anti-bully, and, at the same time, we’re kind of like that older sibling that dares anyone to mess with their little sister or brother. We don’t apologize for writing songs that champion the underdogs and the “others.” I think certain artists have tried to push light and love fiercely, but it comes off as cheesy, preachy or self-righteous, and so people can’t relate. We keep going because we see the effect our musical approach has on listeners.

Have you all encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?

Charm: The only “problems,” so to speak, have been “jive” press types who want to reinforce the old local guard. You know, keep the same “type” of traditional artists in the forefront, because it’s less work to come out to a show and get hip to someone new, I guess. So, six years have passed and some folks in the city, besides our day one ‘Tribe,’ are just discovering the music. It was hard for us to reach tons of people. This whole movement has been virtually our own indie machine and word of mouth. Of course, it can be tough when you’re on an independent budget. The people were craving something new, something that challenged their minds and ears, and felt like an experience instead of the same old two-step. After every show we’d play, the feedback would be very positive, and many people were in disbelief; as if we’d been hiding, when really the so-called music writers were rewriting the same old features about the same old artists and same old style of music, and because we don’t fit that mold it was tough to carve out a lane for ourselves and our ‘Tribe.’

What do you all want people to get from your music?

Charm: We want people to tap into a higher sense of personal freedom, love and community. That’s why we call our friends, family and fans, are our ‘Tribe.’ We want people to know that they are not alone. Life is rough, there will be obstacles, but it’s also the most beautiful thing that we know and we should live it passionately.

What has been your greatest achievement(s) so far?

Charm: Creating a sophomore album that is accomplished, and more developed than our first, is pretty dope! The biggest achievement so far; believing in one another and our sound, no matter what.

If you all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Charm: There are too many between the five of us to name. I’ll go ahead and say Kanye (West) can get a verse on “Overdue” like tomorrow, and King Kendrick (Lamar) can get one on “Lions for Higher,” or any song for the matter! They each have an abundance of creativity, confidence and bars. Ms. Lauryn Hill writes with such poetic fury and voice! Fela Kuti! Oh, my god, too many!

If you all could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Charm: Each and every outdoor venue from Fuji Rock (Festival) to the Roots Picnic to Coachella to Bonnaroo! There is nothing like performing under a big sky, the sun, moon and stars, feeling like you are doing exactly what you were put on this earth to do.

One track of yours that you think defines you all and why?

Charm: You already know. “Faithful Brave & Honest” — That’s our anthem!

Any “parting” message(s) for our readers?

Charm: You are alive! Be exactly that. Don’t let people limit you by insisting that you’re “too poor, too young, too different or too ______” because the truth is you, yes YOU, are too fly not to soar! Oh, and of course I love my ‘Tribe.’

@honorablesouth

Interviewed By: Hype Staff