Despite a broken electric guitar and car trouble on the way to the venue, local band Heaven Honey delivered a seven-song set at the Blockhouse Bar on Sunday night.
When Jordan Gomes-Kuehner, guitarist and vocalist, removed her guitar from its case she found that the guitar head had broken from the neck of the guitar and was dangling from two strings.
Gomes reacted calmly by shaking her head and laughing. Matthew Leetz of the Bloomington band Fever Dream saw what happened and quickly offered his guitar as a stand-in.
Pink lights lit the stage as Gomes-Kuehner took the stage with a borrowed guitar.
Those standing by the bar and outside the venue quickly filled the space around the stage as the band began their first song, “Angel.”
"You called me an angel 'cause I won't do you no harm," Gomes-Kuehner sang.
In addition to Gomes-Kuehner, the band members of Heaven Honey are Iain G. Donkin on drums, Nick Harley on guitar and Jacob Gumbel on bass.
After the song, “Angel,” Gomes-Kuehner thanked Leetz for lending her his guitar and thanked the bands Fever Dream and Out the Car Window for opening for Heaven Honey.
Heaven Honey went on to play its first and only released single, called “Been Anybody.”
The crowd bobbed their heads and swayed to the song in the dim venue lit mainly by Christmas lights.
“We just got back from a mini tour this weekend,” Gomes-Kuehner said. “We are very happy to be here.”
"Heaven Honey" toured to Indianapolis, Chicago and Muncie, Indiana for their mini tour or short tour. The band was in Muncie for a show on St. Patrick’s Day.
"Muncie knows how to do St. Patty’s Day," Gomes-Kuehner said.
The crowd chuckled and cheered.
For the fourth song, "Find You," Gomes-Kuehner remained on stage while the rest of the band descended into the crowd.
“I wrote this song a couple of weeks ago,” Gomes-Kuehner said. “We will get a chance to work on it together soon.”
Gomes-Kuehner played guitar and sang. Drummer Iain G. Doinkin blew bubbles while weaving through the crowd.
“And if I can’t have you, I’ll find someone like you,” Gomes-Kuehner sang.
The band came back on stage and, before playing the song “Cherry Red,” guitarist Nick Harley lit a small scented block of wood on stage. The sweet and earthy scent filled the Blockhouse and added to the intimate atmosphere.
Gomes-Kuehner took the mic from the stand and swayed while her sheer Victorian-style top flowed around her.
As the show came to an end, Gomes-Kuehner announced the band’s new EP “Head Case” to be released March 30 from 1212 Records. The EP will feature four songs and will be available online and on cassette.
Heaven Honey recently recorded three songs during a live session with WIUX. These three songs will be on the new EP.
The band will host a tape release show on Tuesday, April 3 at the Bishop with the bands ABC Gum and The Bills. Heaven Honey will play the WIUX Culture Shock Music Festival on April 14 and will open for Mary Ocher at a show June 2 at the Bishop.
The show ended around 11:45 pm. Gomes-Kuehner encouraged fans to purchase Heaven Honey shirts, stickers and buttons.
"Feel bad for me," Gomes-Kuehner said. "I have to work at seven in the morning."
