Hondees is an artist that survives on music the way a patient relies on ventilators. With his lungs inflated by sound and a stethoscope placed over his heart, the doctors were startled at what was more than a heartbeat. His heart pounded at 130 BPM, it’s strings tugged by guitar riffs and his ribs were staff lines with notes blooming between them. Music to Hondees was a means of survival. “Music has kept me alive and going for quite a while now,” he says. “If I didn’t exist in the sound, I don’t know where I’d be in life.”

I had the chance to speak with Hondees over the course of a few days and could see the passion jump through his words. He is someone clearly invested in his craft and not treating it as something temporary. It is always refreshing to see artists embrace the unpredictable and gruelling journey of pursuing art. Despite the struggle, they stay committed. He brings real joy into his craft, and you can feel it.

Do you feel like it lets you express things you might struggle to say outside of music?

HONDEES: Absolutely, it does let me. But also, music has helped me find my footing in this world. Helped me find the magic in my personal confidence to also say things outside of music.

The artist doesn’t use music as a shield; he uses it to amplify his message. Music is an expression of who we are. It’s the way we make sense of our lives, our situations, in moments when our tongues are tied in a knot, music slips beneath and slowly unravels the loop.

Maryland has long had a diverse music culture, grounded in jazz and folk, and over time it has grown to embrace far more than just those historic roots. It has a strong presence in hip-hop, R&B, indie rock, and punk. From Billie Holiday to Beach House and Brent Fiyaz, the state’s legacy is clear, and now Hondees sketches his star.

His creativity, fed by his observations of everyday life and his community, has been heavily shaped through skate sessions with friends, an ever-growing collection of cameras, and the power of photography.

“It really bleeds into the music. Just being present, capturing those moments and still having that footage, looking back on it, the nostalgia. It all circles back into the music.”

Hondees used the imagery of “horses in a barn” to casually convey how he sees photography as an artistic catalyst. Through imagery alone, it tells stories that don’t need any words to be interpreted. When music and photography are combined, they become powerful symbols that represent defining eras and movements in music history. For example, there’s the iconic shot of Bob Dylan, by Barry Feinstein, a representation of what society defined as rockstars, or Iggy Pop crowd surfing amongst a hungry, grinning crowd. Photography shapes how we perceive an artist, guiding our attention and influencing what we choose to notice. That’s why album covers and music videos matter so much. They shape feeling, extend the story of the music, and create a visual identity that stays with the audience. Hondees is one of the artists who truly understands the value of music videos. Whether the experience is polished or imperfect, it leaves an impression, and that memory is what lasts beyond the music.

If I had a word to describe his music videos, cinematic would rush to mind. Often directed by Speeding Stars and OokayBenny, the collection of videos each possess a similar theme but are never the same. In Grapes in Bed and When Siiora Left, both videos begin in black and white, and only shift in colour when the artist’s voice enters, as if the sound itself brings the frame to life. In Grapes in Bed, he is constantly in motion, whether riding his bike through the city or running across open fields, it reinforces a sense of urgency and momentum. In When Siiora Left, colour plays a key emotional role, shaping the mood and deepening the feeling of the scenes. In Deeply Departed, the faster cuts heighten the energy, creating a more intense and dynamic experience.

Are there any artists or genres out there that have influenced or shaped your music?

HONDEES: UK Grime music was so influential to me and my sound. I got into Skepta and then went down a rabbit hole. The freedom and fun in Uk grime was everything to me. Taught me to be loose. That “just flow” mentality helped me a lot.

Among the figures who helped define the movement, Skepta stands out, his presence and attitude aligned with Hondees’ approach. Skepta’s influence on the music scene reinforced the genre’s looseness and its refusal to take itself too seriously, an element reflected in the music Hondees creates.

Grime is deeply rooted in community, something that is similar with Hondees’ approach, from producing and directing with friends to featuring them throughout his projects. Known for its raw energy, the genre emerged in London in the early 2000s. Often within tower blocks and independent spaces, it was shaped by limited funding and restricted opportunities for young people. Its reflections on social, economic, and political struggles in the UK helped form a voice that is honest and unapologetic.

Whilst Grime has given Hondees freedom, Reggaeton has taught him rhythm and movement.

HONDEES: Another genre is reggaeton. That changed my life. There’s fun and freedom in that too. Bouncy and fun. I’m really excited to start introducing some reggaeton influence in my production soon.

There’s a clear pattern in the music Hondees mentioned. This was yet another genre made to elevate and unite the working-class, marginalised youth and turn their experiences into global rhythmic forces. Initially an underground movement in Puerto Rico, Reggaeton was once refused and banned, though it’s defiant nature broke itself free.

HONDEES: “Then of course there are bands like Weezer and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They really changed my life. They have such punchy raw talent.”

With Red Hot Chilli Peppers bringing funk-rock energy and Weezer delivering catchy power-pop, this artist isn’t afraid to blend vulnerability with an attention-grabbing boldness.

Hondees has announced that his new release, Silver Teeth, will arrive on March 20th. When I asked about the project, he shared his excitement for what will be his first record of 2026.

HONDEES: “A song my friends and I made. My best friend Drew O was fishing around with some guitar riffs and boom magic was made. The song has a sick video attached to it directed and shot by my other best pal, OokayBenny. It’s a mellow record with an exciting upbeat moment.”

Hondees doesn’t position himself above his listeners. He stands right beside them, cheering them on just as they cheer him on. Like many of us, he’s still figuring things out through his music. As he puts it, “Hondees is for the people. I understand what it’s like to chase this art thing heavily. You can do it too, have fun and do your thing!”