The Honeys

Tian (Chinese band name: tian mi de hai zi) are one of Shanghai’s oldest and most popular alternative music groups, who also have been known as ‘The Honeys’ throughout China and abroad.

Tian cut their debut album “On the Street” in 2002 with Fanyin Records, which was the second-ever album released by a Shanghainese rock band, and the first on a Shanghai-based label. The eleven original tracks range from heavy riffs to crooning ballads, and their catchy rock buzz and singer Yu Tian’s irresistible charisma have made them integral to the Shanghai soundtrack.

In 2003 they were nominated for “Best Band” by listeners of Shanghai Oriental Radio. Since then they have been profiled by the BBC and also got featured in the South China Morning Post and in tour guide books by Lonely Planet and Time Out Magazine.

In 2006, Tian entered the studio to record several new tracks with UK producer Safta Jaffery and sound engineer George Shilling, where they also combined traditional Chinese instruments with modern rock grooves.

Beside innumerous live performances in China (among others at the Beijing Pop Festival, the Shanghai Rock it! Festival, the Hangzhou West Lake and Qianjiang Music Festival), Tian also have toured overseas in the US, Germany (twice), France, Hong Kong and Canada. Their first gig abroad was at a showcase during Musexpo in Los Angeles in May 2007 – with Tian being the first Asian band ever to be part of Musexpo. Their showcase at “Keyclub” on Sunset Boulevard not only marked Tian’s first international concert, but also the first-ever concert by a Shanghai-based alternative act in the United States. While in L.A. the band also got a chance to perform at the legendary “Whisky a Go Go”. In September 2007, the band went to Germany for a small tour, where they played together with the German band 4LYN (www.4lyn.com) whom they had met in Los Angeles. After the tour the two bands went to the studio together and recorded the Chinese-English duet “Nostalgia – Yi Wan Li”. In January 2008 Tian followed an invitation to headline the MIDEM opening party in Cannes (France), which was organized in co-operation with the Chinese Ministry of Culture. Besides the live shows, songs of Tian have been licensed for the Mel-Gibson-production “Another Day in Paradise” and for the soundtrack compilation of the German movie "Kein Bund für’s Leben". Also the French/German TV station ARTE has used their music in a documentary about the latest work of the Chinese artist Yang Fudong.

In October 2007, Tian signed their first endorsement deal with the German company Sennheiser, which provides equipment and service for the band’s microphones and in-ear monitoring systems. This was the first time that the company has offered such a contract to a rock band in China. Another endorsement deal with Fender (guitars, bass and amplifier) was signed in 2008.

In December 2007 the first song of the new album, “Yi Jiang Nan” was released and promoted by Rongxi Entertainment all over China – reaching 2 on China Music Radio‘s and 1 on Oriental Radio’s charts. The long-anticipated album followed in January 2008, with gigs in several big cities in China. After having played their biggest show so far in May 2008 – together with 4LYN in Chongqing for 10,000 people at a festival organized by the German Goethe-Institut – the band traveled abroad again for their first appearance in Hong Kong (including a showcase at Music Matters). After a short summer break they were back with gigs e.g. at the China Now! Music Festival (part of the Shanghai International Tourism Festival) and as opening act in Hangzhou for the QianJiang Show by Cui Jian, known as the godfather of Chinese rock.

In 2009 Tian were awarded “Best Band – Mainland China” by China National Radio.

Tian’s latest project is a charity co-operation with the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), who have been working with musicians around the world (e.g. Neneh Cherry, Morcheeba, Massive Attack) on a CD to raise awareness for World Hepatitis Day on May 19. The compilation album, entitled “This Day: World Hepatitis Day”, includes the single ‘Yi Jiang Nan’ featuring ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler.