I sat down with HoneyLuv before her set at Adriatic Sound Festival, a converted airport on the Adriatic Coast packed with awesome stages and a crowd that came ready to move. It was the first day of the festival and she was about to play on the 360-degree main stage, the Temple Stage. The sun was still out, but soon it would be gone, with remains of an orange color on the horizon mixing with the red lights of the festival. She was about to be in charge of putting the soundtrack to that moment. The Cleveland-born house star opened up about soulful house, Whitney Houston dreams, tour bus soundtracks, and the one non-musical item she never travels without.
This is my first time at Adriatic Sound and I’m really excited about it. The set looked amazing, and the lineup is crazy good! What kind of energy will you feel stepping off the stage tonight, and how does this specific Italian crowd compare to the rest of the world?
This is my first time at Adriatic Sound, so I’m really excited to finally experience it. The lineup is incredible, and the setup looks amazing. Honestly, I’ll probably walk off stage feeling grateful and energized. The crowds in Italy always bring such great energy. They come ready to party no matter who’s playing, and I really appreciate that. There’s always a passion and excitement that makes playing here special.
You’re playing a festival in a converted airport with 360-degree house and techno stages set against airplane hangars. What is the most unconventional or surprising venue you’ve ever played, and what did that teach you about controlling a crowd without a traditional “stage”?
One of the most unexpected and beautiful places I’ve ever played was Plaza de España in Seville. It’s such an iconic space, and being surrounded by that architecture made the whole experience feel really special. What it taught me is that when you don’t have a traditional stage setup, it becomes less about the production and more about the connection. You have to read the crowd differently, stay present, and let the music do the work. In a setting like that, it feels like everyone is sharing the same moment together.
Your sound is constantly described as “soulful house.” To you, does “soulful” refer to the vocal style, the chord progression, or the feeling in the room? How do you inject soul into a purely instrumental track?
For me, soul is a feeling. It’s that moment when a song gives you chills or goosebumps and connects with something deeper inside you. It can come from a vocal, a chord progression, a groove, or even a simple melody. Even in an instrumental track, the right combination of sounds and emotion can tell a story and make people feel something beyond just wanting to dance.
Your recent track “Don’t Stop” with Muni Long is a huge vocal moment. You’ve worked with R&B voices before. If you could pick any R&B legend from the 90s to get in the studio with tomorrow, who would it be and why?
Without a doubt, it would be Whitney Houston. She was the voice of a generation, and her voice is truly timeless. We’ve heard incredible house remixes of her records, but getting the chance to create something original with her in the studio would have been a dream come true. I can only imagine what a Whitney Houston vocal over a house record would sound like.
You grew up in Cleveland, a city with a deep and proud house music history. Is there a specific memory or venue from your formative years in Ohio that still influences how you build a set list today?
Honestly, my biggest influence wasn’t the local scene; it was my mom. She was always playing house music when I was growing up, and those are some of my earliest memories of the genre. I didn’t really know much about Cleveland’s house music history at the time, but hearing those records around the house definitely shaped my love for the music. Even today, I think that’s why I’m drawn to records that make people feel something and create a sense of connection on the dance floor.
You’ve credited your Navy service with making you organized and disciplined. On a busy festival weekend with travel delays and little sleep, what is the one “military habit” that saves you from burning out?
I’ve always been a pretty disciplined and organized person, even before the Navy. The Navy definitely amplified those qualities and reinforced them. I’ve always been the type of person who likes to stay prepared, plan ahead, and keep things organized. On busy festival weekends, that mindset helps me stay focused and adapt when things don’t go according to plan. It’s less about one specific military habit and more about carrying that discipline and structure with me wherever I go.
You are on a massive bill here with Honey Dijon, Sven Väth, and ANOTR. Is there a secret language or silent nod between DJs backstage when you hear someone play a track you wish you had brought?
Honestly, not really. I spend a lot of time digging for music and going down rabbit holes to find records that aren’t being played everywhere, and I appreciate DJs who do the same. That’s one of the things I love about this scene. The DJs I respect most are usually bringing music you’ve never heard before, not just what’s popular at the moment. So there’s not really a backstage nod situation. It’s more about appreciating that someone else is putting in the work to discover great music too.
Looking at your 2026 tour schedule, you’re playing everywhere! What is one non-musical item you never travel without that helps you maintain your energy and sanity?
I’d have to say books. With all the travel, airports, flights, and hotel rooms, having a good book helps me slow down, disconnect for a bit, and recharge. It gives me a chance to be present and have a moment to myself in the middle of all the chaos.
You’re stuck on a tour bus for 12 hours. You can only listen to one artist. Who are you choosing?
Aaliyah, without a doubt. Her music is timeless. Whether I want to relax, feel inspired, or just zone out and enjoy the ride, her catalog never gets old. I could listen to Aaliyah for 12 hours straight and still not get tired of it.
You’ve started 2026 with huge collaborations and a global tour. What is the one milestone or goal for the rest of this year that would make you say, “Wow, I can’t believe I did that”?
Releasing a record that becomes a true global anthem. The kind of song you hear everywhere and that people connect with for years to come.
