Amy Honey
Subter Magazine by Ann Murphy

It’s not often one makes a musical discovery because of an owl. But it is precisely because of an owl, or a picture of an owl, that I discovered Amy Honey. Our friendship began because she wondered what type of owl she had seen, and my librarian nature had to find out for her. I got it wrong – understandably – but for a time we believed it was a spotted owl. It was a wonderful delusion. The mere thought that she had seen a spotted owl in the woods brought a sense of joy to the world – a joy that is much needed in these troubled times. And the serendipity of it all led me to one of my most recent favorite musical finds – Amy Honey, a woman of style, class, and talent not often seen these days.

One thing I am sure of, and have no delusions about, is Amy Honey’s music. Her latest CD, Pioneer Woman, is aptly named. Amy has the true spirit of a pioneer in both her music and approach to life. No frills, yet full of the beauty, joy and heartache that are so easily hidden by all the glitzy trappings of modern day life. She sings of the things close to her heart, and after listening to Pioneer Woman I feel like I know her in a way I know very few people. She opens up her soul to those of us that take the time to sit a spell and listen to what she has to say.

Pioneer Woman is Amy’s second CD, the first being her self titled disc of 2004. I find it difficult to categorize her music – some songs have a country sound, others have a good pop sensibility about them, and a few really rock and roll. I prefer not trying to pinhole her music though, and give each song a fresh ear whenever I listen. We could call her alternative, but that doesn’t really mean much anymore. The songs on Pioneer Woman are an eclectic collection of tunes, yet somehow they fit together nicely to complete the whole.

Amy originally hails from Nova Scotia, Canada – a land of hearty souls and excellent music; she certainly has inherited both characteristics! It must be something in the water there. She grew up on the shores of Chezzetcook Inlet, near Halifax, on the northeastern coast of the continent. Amy sings dearly of her home in Sweet Old West Chezzetcook, and it’s very clear she cherishes her roots. However, almost ten years ago she felt the need to spread her wings and move westward to Vancouver, B.C., where she now makes her home. She is truly one to step out into the unknown and take what lives sees fit to give her.

Two songs on the disc, Woods Hag (Modern Life is Such a Drag) and the title track, Pioneer Woman, touch especially close to my heart. I sometimes think that I had a previous life as a pioneer crossing the continent in a covered wagon, or that maybe I was just born during the wrong time period. I am confident Amy feels the same way. In Woods Hag she sings of moving to the woods, where she can live free from the crowds of the city:

I don’t mind you but I hate people
They’re all so worried about gettin’ old
They can’t seem to live for the day at hand
I wonder how they’d do livin’ off of the land

I believe the desire to live a simpler life is growing stronger among certain groups of people, and it is so refreshing to hear her sing of that wish. The simple life is not an easy life though, as Amy makes clear in Pioneer Woman. It’s the story of a woman living off the land in a sod house with her family, making her way in a “mean, mean world.” Even though it’s a tale of a difficult time in the past, the strength of that woman can be just as relevant today, as the heavy metal break towards the end of the otherwise banjo infused hillbilly-esque song conveys. In Amy’s world, the simple life is desired, but is not necessarily the easy path to take.

Amy Honey is certainly not without humor, as the song Larry the Homicidal Maniac shows. She claims it is the true account of a boy she went to school with in Nova Scotia. In fact, I think we all went to school with a kid like Larry – the boy with the crazy look in his eyes; that wears the black trench coat. The boy it’s best to run away from when you see him coming. The song itself has a very upbeat sound – quite danceable! And what better way to remember the crazy kids in school than with a cheery sounding tune?

The rest of the disc ambles through a lovely collection of songs that showcase Amy’s beautiful, earthy voice. There are the bluesy tunes Red Wine and Hopeless, and the celebration of a life well lived, Do or Be Damned (despite the roadblocks life herself throws in our way). Amy also sings a tribute to her favorite author and biologist, Farley Mowat. Amy had originally planned to become a biologist herself, but the issue of grades and the draw of a musical life sent her down a different path. Whether she’s singing of sadness or joy, life or death, Amy finds a way to reach the depths of our hearts with her music.

Amy and her husband recently sold their Vancouver record shop, Red Cat Records. Amy plans to forge ahead full time with her music career, and see what she can do with it. She admits she’s nervous about the changes, but excited at the prospect of throwing herself headlong into her music. I suspect she’ll be a success, as she taps into that pioneer spirit and resilience that lives on so strongly in her heart.

Not too long ago I had the opportunity to meet Amy in person and see her play live. It is easy to see where her down to earth songs come from. She is nothing if not a true gem of a woman, as friendly and unpretentious as one could possibly be. If you ever have the chance to meet Amy, you will know her by her polka dot dress, the glass of red wine in her hand, and her welcoming smile. And you will be very lucky indeed.