Random nostalgia: The Honeymoon
The Honeymoon, comprised of ex-Thirteen:13 vocalist Wayne Murray and Icelandic songstress Thorunn Magnusdottir, supported BNL on tour back in 2004. But where are they now?
If you attended a Barenaked Ladies UK gig in 2004, chances are you caught The Honeymoon, the light, poppy English-Icelandic band, opening up the show. A trip down memory lane (and the power of the internet) allows BNLUK to delve a little further into the duo who performed to BNL fans on the Everything to Everyone tour. Read more…
The Honeymoon, originally called The Lovers, are comprised of Thorunn Magnusdottir and Wayne Murray. They formed in 2004, after a chance meeting in London, and released a four track EP, Passive Aggressive, in April that year. Their debut full length release, Dialogue followed; released on 19th July 2004 on the RCA label. The Honeymoon toured supporting Darren Hayes, and then Barenaked Ladies, to promote its release. Here is a press release put out at the time:
DIALOGUE is a 12-track debut release songwriting duo, The Honeymoon, featuring the tracks “Passive Agressive” and “Truth Hurts.” One is a beautiful blonde hailing from Iceland, the other a Hackney born songwriter with foppish good looks. Together they are The Honeymoon the latest blissed out pop act ready to take on the charts. When Wayne Murray & Thorrun Magnusdottir had a chance meeting in Camden they could not have known that three months later they would be signed to RCA creating the sublime tunes that you can hear on their devastating debut album ‘Dialogue’. Musically the pair complement each other perfectly wrapping majestic vocals around laid-back beats & acoustic guitars to an otherworldly effect. Compared to Fleetwood Mac (the mid-70s output), The Carpenters & Mazzy Star, The Honeymoon make what Thorrun describes as, ‘sexy, Sunday music’ that is destined to soundtrack lovers’ caresses & smoochy reconciliations throughout 2004.
What are The Honeymoon up to these days?
They’re still very much musically active, and their career paths may surprise you…
Wayne Murray:
Murray has been in the music business for over a decade, having previously fronted the bands Catch and Thirteen:13 before his stint in The Honeymoon. Thirteen:13 released a string of singles, none of which had too much of an impact on the UK charts, but “Truth Hurts” emerged as a fan favourite and was subsequently re-recorded by The Honeymoon.
He since went on to land a touring role with James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers, who was a fan of his work with The Honeymoon. Murray describes the encounter in this online interview: “Being dropped played a big role in what happened to me, so when James Dean Bradfield offered me the chance to play guitar in his solo touring band I was understandably nervous. But blisters on fingers of practice later, I was on tour and my confidence was restored”. Murray performed live as a second guitarist for James Dean Bradfield, and later toured with the Manic Street Preachers themselves. He counts playing festivals such as Glastonbury and V Festival as some of his career highlights.
Murray is currently working under the name Boy Cried Wolf, and released his debut EP in January 2010, entitled The Firebrand. He tours regularly and maintains a blog here. You can visit the official Boy Cried Wolf site here.
Thorunn Magnusdottir:
Thorunn has also been involved in a number of projects since The Honeymoon. Soon after the band’s split, she sang with the Danish band Junior Senior, famous for their hit “Move Your Feet”.
She then joined the band Fields, an Anglo-Icelandic electronic/indie band formed in London in 2006. Thorunn contributed vocals and keyboards to the band. After playing their first live shows, they signed a deal with Atlantic Records, who released their debut album Everything Last Winter with producer Michael Beinhorn. Fields played on tour with Wolfmother and Bloc Party, and headlined their own tour in 2007. The band split-up in 2009.
Magnusdottir also sang on a number of her father’s solo records, before a stint in Los Angeles recording a Velvet Underground cover record with Beck.
She has now moved back to Iceland to record a solo album.
The Honeymoon – in video:
The Honeymoon – in pictures:
For more information on The Honeymoon, click here. To read the full interview with Wayne Murray, click here. “Dialogue” is still available to purchase through Amazon - from 48p.
