Honey Honey
Honeyhoney (stylized as honeyhoney) was an American Americana and indie rock duo based in Los Angeles , California , formed in 2006 by vocalist Suzanne Santo and guitarist Ben Jaffe. The pair met at a costume party shortly after Santo moved to Los Angeles following a personal breakup, where she began writing songs that would shape their early sound.
The duo gained recognition for their gritty, harmony-rich style blending Southern-flavored rock & roll with influences from alt-country, blues , and folk, often evoking a mix of "sweet and sleazy, light and dark." Their debut album, First Rodeo , was released independently in 2008, followed by Billy Jack in 2011, which peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Folk Albums chart. Their third and final studio album, 3 , arrived in 2015 under Rounder Records , produced by Dave Cobb and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee , showcasing matured songwriting centered on themes of trust and emotional depth.
After parting ways with their label in 2017, honeyhoney went on indefinite hiatus, though they reunited for occasional live performances in 2024, with Santo and Jaffe pursuing solo careers—Santo releasing albums like Ruby Red (2017) and Yard Sale (2021) along with singles such as "Punk Kid" and "Let My Love" (2023), while Jaffe explored independent projects including the single "Behave" (2025). Despite the break, their music continues to influence the indie folk scene, highlighted by live performances and soundtrack contributions, such as to the TV series The Guest Book .
Honeyhoney was an American Americana duo composed of Benjamin Jaffe and Suzanne Santo. Jaffe served as the guitarist , vocalist, and primary songwriter, contributing the bulk of the band's original compositions. Santo provided lead and harmony vocals, along with playing banjo and violin , adding a multifaceted instrumental texture to their performances.
Benjamin Jaffe, originally from Massachusetts , began his musical career as a solo artist in his youth before relocating to Los Angeles at age 18 to pursue opportunities in the local scene. His pre-Honeyhoney experience included independent recordings and performances that honed his songwriting and guitar skills, which became foundational to the duo's sound.
Suzanne Santo, born Suzanne Alisa Santosuosso in Cleveland , Ohio , entered the music world after establishing a career in modeling and acting . She appeared in television series such as The Guest Book and films like Imaginary Heroes , leveraging her expressive stage presence into her role as Honeyhoney's charismatic frontwoman and multi-instrumentalist .
The duo's partnership, forged through an initial creative spark in 2006, defined Honeyhoney's intimate and collaborative ethos, where Jaffe's intricate guitar work intertwined with Santo's emotive vocals and string arrangements to create a raw, harmonious blend. This close-knit dynamic emphasized direct interplay without extensive reliance on additional personnel, though the band occasionally incorporated session or touring musicians for live expansions. The duo went on indefinite hiatus in 2017, with members pursuing solo careers.
Honeyhoney was formed in 2006 when multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ben Jaffe met vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Suzanne Santo at a costume party in Los Angeles . Santo was dressed as a cheetah , while Jaffe appeared as Ralph Macchio's character from The Karate Kid , and the encounter sparked an immediate creative synergy between them.
The pair quickly transitioned from acquaintances to collaborators, bonding over their mutual passion for music and beginning to write original songs together shortly after their meeting. They started performing as a stripped-down duo, with Jaffe handling guitar, piano , and harmonies alongside Santo's lead vocals and violin , establishing the core sound that would define the band.
