Here’s the premiere of “Guru Honk”, the new single from Los Angeles-based duo Thee Holy Brothers. Marvin Etzioni and Willie Aron deliver melodic harmony vocals, floating over a twanging guitar and a powerful rhythm supplied by Pat Thomas on drums. Added textures come from John Kruth on horns and Mellotron from Rami Jaffee (keyboardist for Foo Fighters), creating an absorbing musical blend. In the video, Carter Armstrong on the stand-up bass and Adam Pike on the electric bass give an underlying warmth that supports Aron’s tuneful voice. Etzioni says of the song: “No matter who you are, guru, prophet or sage, it’s alright to honk. Honk your horn! You don’t need to be the perfect anything. Guru honk.” His enigmatic words mirror the song’s distinctively different style.
“Guru Honk” will appear on the duo’s forthcoming album, “High In My Balloon”, which is due for release on 9th May 2025. This follows the critically-acclaimed first album, “My Name Is Sparkle”, which was a song sequence centred around a genderless character called Sparkle. Their second album is the second part of a trilogy, focused on the same character. However, during the recording sessions, Etzioni was diagnosed with cancer. Around that time, Aron’s spouse passed away following a battle with the disease. These personal challenges became the inspiration for their sophomore album as they turned to music and one another for support. When Etzioni was declared free from cancer, he said: “I was so elated at the news, I felt like I was levitating, like I was high in my balloon. I did what I always do: I wrote a song about it.” Throughout the songs, Sparkle’s challenges reflect those of Etzioni and Aron.
Etzioni and Aron are stalwarts of the LA music scene. Etzioni is a GRAMMY-winning producer, who has worked with the likes of Counting Crows and Stephen Stills. Also a GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, he was a founding member of country-punk group Lone Justice. Aron is an award-winning film and TV composer and multi-instrumentalist. Together, they form an irrepressible combination, a collaboration that will lift your spirits. This is upbeat, feelgood music, despite the difficult times that influenced the songs. Enjoy.
