An eclectic mix for a folk duo A thrifty look for struggling folk artists L.A. folk duo does a vintage turn Folk duo wrapped in tradition
STYLE PROFILE
LOS ANGELES has deep roots in folk music -- from Joni Mitchell's Laurel Canyon scene in the 1960s to the rise of intimate acoustic venues such as Largo and Hotel Cafe in the last decade. But with L.A.'s indie-rock bands commanding the spotlight, it's been a while since this town turned out a fresh folk outfit. Enter HoneyHoney, a duo from Venice that infuses indie rock, country, jazz and the blues into its folk bedrock.
On the band's debut album, "Loose Boots," the unconventional mash-up works beautifully: There are sweet, homespun folk songs, rabble-rousing giddyups and even a profanity-laced ditty about a guy who's not moving fast enough toward the boudoir for his lady friend.
Suzanne Santo and Ben Jaffe, who met through mutual friends, weren't discovered at an L.A. club, but online by a French record executive via their humble MySpace page. That relationship eventually led them to Kiefer Sutherland, who signed them to Ironworks, the label the actor co-owns with singer-songwriter Jude Cole. Now Santo and Jaffe are in the midst of their first national tour. "One minute we're in Venice Beach, and the next minute we're drinking at a party with Kiefer Sutherland," Santo says. "It was surreal."
The duo's style is as eclectic as their music. Scouring thrift and secondhand stores, they zero in on quirky but classic pieces -- simple button-front shirts for Jaffe and minidresses for Santo, who did time as an actress and a model for Macy's and the like before finally "choosing the tunes."
What do you like to wear onstage?
Ben: I'm a big fan of the snap-button shirt. It's really a family tradition at this point --my dad always wears these blue Wrangler cowboy-type shirts, and I wear them too. It's kind of a workman-looking thing. I'm trying to look rugged, I guess.
Suzanne: I used to stress out about having to make this huge statement. But after playing so many shows, I stopped worrying about it. I usually wear a baby-doll dress and some boots because I need to be able to move. But I've been trying to switch it up.
If your house were burning, and you could get out with only the outfit on your back, what would it be?
Suzanne: If I was naked, I would grab my instruments -- my violin, banjo and guitar -- and go.
Ben: It depends on who's outside the burning building.
Where do you shop?
