“This record is all about love and good lovin’ and other things that matter,” says The California Honeydrops’ frontman, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Lech Wierzynski of the band’s brand new LP, Soft Spot. Released today, Soft Spot finds the band drawing deep from the soulful well of the great rhythm and blues acts that came before them—from roots rock to classic Bay Area R&B, to Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second line. “We continued the Honeydrops’ album tradition of bringing special musical guests to bless the studio with their magic,” adds drummer Ben Malament. “Sousaphones, strings, space echoes…it’s all here.”
The Honeydrops have come a long way since Wierzynkski and Malament started busking in an Oakland subway station, but the band has stayed true to that organic, street-level feel. Listening to Lech sing, it can be a surprise that he was born in Warsaw, Poland, and raised by Polish political refugees. He learned his vocal stylings from contraband American recordings of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Louis Armstrong, and later at Oberlin College and on the club circuit in Oakland, California. With the additions of Johnny Bones on tenor sax and clarinet, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards, and Beau Beauilleu on bass, they’ve built a powerful full-band sound to support Wierzynski’s vocals.
Fans can purchase or stream Soft Spot today right here as well as vinyl for pre-order here and CD for purchase here. The Honeydrops will continue their nationwide Lil Bit Of Lovin’ Tour at Tempe, Arizona’s Marquee Theatre on October 14th. A complete list of tour dates can be found below or at cahoneydrops.com.
Soft Spot In The News:
“Everyone in this band knows exactly what they’re doing, and they do it well, which means that the result is always an absolute blast.” – Consequence
“Soulful & groovin’.” – Relix
“The California Honeydrops is reminiscent of Bay Area greats like Tower of Power and The Grateful Dead.” – Riff Magazine
“A rollicking, joyous good time…Evokes the heyday of retro-soul, even while retaining a thoroughly fresh vitality.” – Under The Radar
Catch The California Honeydrops On Tour:
Oct. 14 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
Oct. 16 – Flagstaff, AZ – Yucca North
Oct. 18 – Durango, CO – Animas City Theatre – SOLD OUT
Oct. 19 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf
Oct. 21 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
Oct. 22 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads
Oct. 23 – St. Louis, MO – The Big Top
Oct. 25 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club – SOLD OUT
Oct. 26 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
Oct. 27 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
Oct. 29 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Annex
Oct. 30 – Ferndale, MI – Magic Bag
Oct. 31 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Brewery
Nov. 2 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
Nov. 3 – Portland, ME – Aura
Nov. 5 – New York, NY – Sony Hall – SOLD OUT
Nov. 6 – Boston, MA – Royale Boston
Nov. 8 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
Nov. 9 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
Nov. 11 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theater
Nov. 12 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Nov. 13 – Highlands, NC – Highlands Food and Wine Festival 2022
Jan. 15-22, 2023 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sandy Beaches Cruise 2023
