Artist Spotlight: Sailor Honeymoon Challenge Perfection With Authenticity
In the K-pop industry where perfection is the standard, Korean punk band Sailor Honeymoon break the mold with a fresh and carefree approach to music. Abi Raymaker, Zaeeun Shin, and Mio Si released their first EP, Sailor Honeymoon, on April 30. The eight-track EP allows Sailor Honeymoon’s authenticity to shine through as the songs are inspired by the members’ personal life experiences. Known to switch instruments with each other and invite fans on stage, they challenge perfection by letting loose and having fun.
In an email interview with EnVi, Sailor Honeymoon opened up about their first EP and what it means to defy expectations through music.
Where It All Began
The formation of Sailor Honeymoon began by playing around in the studio with different female musicians in Seoul. Once Raymaker, Shin, and Si tested their sound together, their chemistry and energy felt just right. The creation of the band was solidified after a local friend asked them to perform at the 2022 Block Party music festival. Hurriedly making songs to fill their performance time slot, Sailor Honeymoon’s self-titled EP was born along the way.
Although the EP was made in a time crunch, the trio felt comfortable and confident in the creation process of this EP. “The vibe in there was really good, we all felt free to voice our opinions and try things out,” Sailor Honeymoon said.
The band’s lighthearted nature shines in their name Sailor Honeymoon. Inspired by the animated character Sailor Moon, the name is meant to reflect the individual talents of each member. “Different girls with different powers doing cool stuff, I guess!” they noted.
Sailor Honeymoon’s sound is raw with minimal layering, consisting of only guitar, bass, and drums. They take inspiration from a number of artists in the punk, rock and psychedelic rock scenes, including IDLES, Kim Gordon, Seo Taiji, and Bikini Kill.
Raw and Honest
Sailor Honeymoon’s latest EP consists of the singles they have released throughout the past two years, such as “Cockroach,” “Bad Apple,” “PMS Police,” and “Fxxk Urself.” These four intense and fast tracks follow a similar theme of unwanted relationships and inner turmoil. Four new songs were added to the mix, including “Tired Angels,” “In Dreams,” “두부천원 (Tofu is $1),” and “Count to 5.” The raw vocals paired with simple instrumental layers in their music reflect the band’s aim for authenticity. “I think it came out as a pretty raw and honest expression of who we are as a band,” they stated.
No Rules = More Fun
Smaller music scenes in Korea are the hidden gems for those looking for something off the beaten path. The girls explained that bands with Japanese punk influences are the most popular and a handful of different punk subgenres exist. “I guess compared to other countries, there’s a smaller audience for the music [in Korea], but I think punk fans are some of the most dedicated music fans around the world,” they said.
The K-pop industry comes with many rules, guidelines, and boundaries in order to appeal to a mass audience. Sailor Honeymoon use their creative freedom to make music that not only resonates with their audience, but more importantly, with themselves. “We don’t have to follow those rules because we have different motivations for making music, so we are able to create music in the way that feels right to us,” they added.
The group explained that rather than rebelling against K-pop industry standards, they are offering an alternative. “Having clean and well-produced pop music as well as messier and louder music like ours means that people can find the music that resonates with them and enjoy it,” they said.
Girls Rock the World
Making music that challenges established standards, Sailor Honeymoon want to use their voice to motivate others to do the same. “We’d like to spread the message, especially to young female musicians who are interested in starting a band, that anyone can just do it, too,” they emphasized.
Beneath Sailor Honeymoon’s edginess and intensity are three girls who are striving to stay true to themselves. As they continue their musical journey, their wish is to never lose their passion for creating music that resonates with them. “Our hope is that we never lose the enjoyment and excitement that we get from playing music,” they said.
Want to discover more artists? Check out our Artist Spotlight with PSYCHIC FEVER here!
