The Honored Guests

The Honored Guests are a band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with a history spanning over 15 years. The group's origins trace back to a Fayetteville basement where bassist Jeremy Buenviaje taught singer Russell Baggett how to play guitar. Initially, Baggett and Buenviaje were part of a band called Milo with drummer Andrew Kinghorn during their college days. After Milo disbanded, Baggett and Kinghorn continued to collaborate while living abroad, eventually reuniting with Buenviaje and adding keyboardist Patrick O'Neill to form The Honored Guests. Their discography includes albums like *Iawokeinacityasleep*, *Tastes Change*, and *Please Try Again*, along with the *Into Nostalgia* EP. The band's music often explores themes of frustration and personal growth, as seen in *Please Try Again*, which reflects on the challenges of creating perfect music and the importance of valuing the process over the product.

The Honored Guests have undergone significant creative shifts over the years, moving from more experimental and polished sounds to simpler, acoustic-driven compositions. This evolution is evident in their transition from the complex arrangements of *Tastes Change* to the more introspective *Into Nostalgia* EP. The band has also expanded its lineup to include cellist Elysse Thebner, enhancing their live performances with a richer sound. Through their music, The Honored Guests convey a sense of introspection and change, reflecting on past experiences while embracing new musical directions.