Ben Malament (California Honeydrops): From Busking to Big Stages episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 21, 2025 · 8 MIN

Ben Malament (California Honeydrops): From Busking to Big Stages

from On the Record with Live Music Junkiez · host Livemusicjunkiez

What happens when you take a few soulful musicians, put them in a subway station, and let the groove lead the way? You get the California Honeydrops—a band that’s gone from busking in Oakland to lighting up stages across the country with their feel-good, dance-your-face-off sound.In this episode, Ben Malament (drummer and co-founder) takes us inside the journey of the California Honeydrops. From their roots playing 'New Orleans R&B' on BART platforms to jamming with legends like Bonnie Raitt and Dr. John, this is a story about staying true to your sound, your people, and your joy.We get into: 🎶 Why they never use a setlist (and how that changes the vibe every night) 📣 How connecting with fans—on and off stage—is part of the mission 🎧 The making of their latest album Keep On Digging 💡 Real talk for emerging artistsIf you’ve ever caught a Honeydrops show, you know it’s more than music—it’s a party. And if you haven’t? This episode will make you want to dance your way to the next one (which by the way is October 17, 2025 at Variety Playhouse!)🎧 Follow and subscribe to Live Music Junkiez for more interviews, local concert tips, and behind-the-scenes music stories.Keep up with the California Honeydrops at https://cahoneydrops.com/--------------------Did you know Metro Atlanta has 200+ concerts EVERY WEEK! And we've got the full scoop!  Discover concerts, festivals, and open mics near you + exclusive videos from Atlanta's music scene!🔗 LiveMusicJunkiez.com 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📺 YouTube

What happens when you take a few soulful musicians, put them in a subway station, and let the groove lead the way? You get the California Honeydrops—a band that’s gone from busking in Oakland to lighting up stages across the country with their feel-good, dance-your-face-off sound. In this episode, Ben Malament (drummer and co-founder) takes us inside the journey of the California Honeydrops. From their roots playing 'New Orleans R&B' on BART platforms to jamming with legends like Bonnie R...

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Ben Malament (California Honeydrops): From Busking to Big Stages

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This episode was published on August 21, 2025.

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What happens when you take a few soulful musicians, put them in a subway station, and let the groove lead the way? You get the California Honeydrops—a band that’s gone from busking in Oakland to lighting up stages across the country with their...

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