Bay-Area R&B/Soul favorites The California Honeydrops set the scene for their new single, “I Miss You Baby Pt. 1,” with a sensual, unassuming piano intro before a snare drum crack ushers in the song’s signature staccato horn line and the dance party ensues. The juxtaposition of the song’s upbeat feel and lonesome lyrics is exactly how Honeydrops vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lech Wierzynkski wanted it to play out. “Dance to this one to get all that reminiscing and regret out of your mind, body, and soul,” he encourages. The second sneak-peek from their upcoming full-length album, Soft Spot, “I Miss You Baby Pt. 1” has all of the energy of a band returning to the studio after a forced hiatus—and all of the classic, groovy feel fans have come to love over The California Honeydrops’ 14-year career together.
The Honeydrops have come a long way since Wierzynkski and drummer Ben Malament started busking in an Oakland subway station, but the band has stayed true to that organic, street-level feel. With the additions of Johnny Bones on tenor sax and clarinet, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards, and Beau Beaullieu on bass, they’ve built a powerful full-band sound to support Wierzynski’s vocals.
Today, Relix premiered “I Miss You Baby Pt. 1,” writing “a soulful groovin’ tune that could easily slip into the finest of leisure suits.” Also adding, “Not only does the track inspire the listener to slow down, but it also serves as a perfect example of the group’s inclination to blur the line between the stage and the person dancing in the first row.” Fans can hear the Honeydrops’ new tune at this link, listen to the previously-released “Takin’ My Time” here, and pre-order or pre-save Soft Spot ahead of its October 7th release right here.
This year has also brought the Honeydrops’ return to live music with their first headlining date at Red Rocks as well as performances at festivals across the country including FloydFest, High Sierra, and Burning Man, and now, The California Honeydrops will kick off their nationwide Lil Bit Of Lovin’ Tour in Napa on September 9th. A full list of tour dates can be found below or at cahoneydrops.com.
Catch The California Honeydrops On Tour:
Sept. 9 - St. Helena, CA - Charles Krug Winery
Sept. 10 - San Luis Obispo, CA - SLO Gathering
Sept. 11 - Perris, CA - Same Same But Different Festival 2022
Sept. 19 - Buena Vista, CO - Ivy Ballroom at Surf Hotel
Sept. 20 - Crested Butte, CO - Center for the Arts
Sept. 22 - Telluride, CO - Sheridan Opera House
Sept. 24 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up
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
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
For all tour dates and ticket information, please visit cahoneydrops.com.
