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Music

PREMIERE: Bruising - "Honey"

Channelling emotional turmoil through irresistible college rock riffs and fist-in-the-air choruses.
Emma Garland
London, GB

As far as "how we met" stories go, Bruising probably has one of the best: Naomi Baguley spotted Ben Lewis wearing a Perfect Pussy t-shirt in a Leeds nightclub and that led to them trading song ideas through phone voice memos. Some of those memos soon led to "Honey," one of the band's earliest songs that's been ravamped for release as a split single, which we're premiering below.

They've only been together for a year, but Bruising's musical output in that time has been 100% bangers. Channelling emotional turmoil through irresistible college rock riffs and fist-in-the-air choruses, their back catalogue is like a single-handed 2015 spin on the eternal feels of the American Pie soundtrack.

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Listen to "Honey" and read our Q&A with Naomi below:

Noisey: Hi Naomi! So, what is "Honey" about?
Naomi: When I first played the demo I made to Ben he said it was "sexy". I guess it's about feeling like you're letting someone down by not being able to be in a relationship with them.

Bruising has basically gone from meeting in a club to touring with Los Campesinos! in less than a year. What's the weirdest thing that's happened in that time?
It feels pretty crazy! The weirdest moment was probably when we played in Dundee, in the basement of a pub to five Scottish punks in their seventies who then bought the record and kissed me on the cheek. Our opener for that show was a sweet man doing slam poetry too.

If you had to name three of your biggest inspirations what would they be?
My biggest inspirations in no particular order are: Dolly Parton, because she is unapologetic about her boldness and her femininity. She seems incredibly warm and kind and has an amazing voice. Meredith Graves, because on stage she is so fearless and angry - it seems like when they play live she is always the most powerful person in the room. Plus she has so many beautiful dresses! Laura Marling, because she keeps putting out incredible albums. She works so hard and takes songwriting very seriously, and doesn't pretend that she doesn't.

What's your favourite thing to put honey on?
I used to put honey on slices of apple as an after school treat but it's also good on carrots. Also apparently it's a natural antiseptic so it would be cool to put it on a wound but I've never actually done that.

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If you were an American Pie character which would you be? (to the whole band)
So after careful deliberation between the band we have come to the following decisions…

Naomi would be Jim cos she's a cute little nerd and loves apple pie.

Ben would be Jim's dad but very possibly The Shermanator. This feels pretty self explanatory.

James would be Finch because he's suave and sophisticated and may or may not have a thing for the mums.

Steph would be Heather, more for the trajectory of Mena Suvari's career and her involvement with American Beauty though.

Thanks Naomi!

Emo Friends / Honey is out on November 20 via Beech Coma and is available to pre-order.

Catch Bruising on tour in the UK: 18 November – Exchange, Bristol (SOLD OUT)*
19 November – Stereo, Glasgow (SOLD OUT)*
20 November – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (SOLD OUT)*
21 November – Hope and Ruin, Brighton (SOLD OUT)*
22 November – Instore at Rough Trade West at 3pm
22 November – Scala, London (SOLD OUT)*
23 November – The Victoria, Dalston (free headline show)
Sat 9 January – Sheffield Bungalows and Bears **
Sun 10 January – Glasgow Broadcast **
Mon 11 January – Bristol Louisiana **
Tue 12 January – Old Blue Last DIY Hello 2016 **
* w/ Los Campesinos!
** w/ Diet Cig