The Iveys from El Paso in Texas are gearing up for the release of ‘Colors of Honey’ on June 7th. The band initially featured Arlen Ivey and his sister Jessica Ivey Carr and has evolved over the years with the addition of sister Jenna Ivey, brother Galen Ivey and Jessica’s husband Sammy Carr. The quintet call on a range of influences but all agree on a love of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Lumineers and First Aid Kit. For me, the real strength of The Iveys is in their songwriting and those sublime harmonies, the sort of harmonies that seem to come so naturally to family acts. We are very pleased to be able to premiere ‘King and Marie’ a track from their upcoming record. Please read on as Arlen Ivey explains the significance of the track and just how important it is to The Ivey family.

Arlen Ivey and the significance of ‘King and Marie’.

“King and Marie is a song written about our paternal great grandparents. It's truly one of my personal favorites on this new album. The song follows the story of our great-grandparents lives, the love that they shared, and the adventures that they lived as they found their way home to West Texas. An older cousin (Craig Ivey) and I sat down together in the El Paso valley one afternoon to create the lyrics, and make sure we were telling their story in the right way. Craig knew our great-grandparents well from memories of his childhood, and time spent with them, and because of this was able to put in some very descriptive details within the lyrics. The song has their sorrows and their joys woven throughout, and describes a true love story, one that has it's fair amount of heartaches. Our great-grandfather King Ivey suffered from serious dementia later in life, but never lost the love that he had for his wife, Marie. She had to watch as her husband became more child like, forgetful, and dependent upon her and others. We tell this story the only way we know how, through our music. We are proud of our family heritage and the Ivey name, and this song is our way of honoring King and Marie, and the family legacy they left behind”.

“Recording this song together as a band in the studio was emotionally draining at times, and brought tears to our eyes as we sang the first chorus together.”

— Arlen Ivey

EL Paso, TX - The Iveys are gearing up for the release of their fifth studio album titled Colors Of Honey. The band was formed initially by Arlen Ivey and sister Jessica Ivey Carr, and while that gave them a taste of performing and creating together, it wasn’t until bringing in three more members of their family — sister Jenna Ivey, brother Galen Ivey and brother-in-law Sammy Carr — that The Iveys felt truly complete. According to Arlen, “The music has a different kind of depth; the songwriting and the collaboration of Jenna and I together was something that was missing before. I’ll bring her a song that I think is good and, after adding her input, it improves the story and elevates the song. We have one track that is about following your dreams, knowing there will be tough times, but regardless of that, living life to the fullest and enjoying the adventure. Then there is another song that is about our great-grandparents and their love/journey through life. It’s interesting how the family aspect of the band has unintentionally come through in the songwriting and taken the music to another level.”

The Ivey siblings grew up on the family farm in the Rio Grande valley, the children of three generations of farmers. Their father raised cotton, alfalfa, and pecans, and owned a vast record collection which they often explored. Their influences are far ranging but the siblings can all agree on favorites Bob Dylan and The Beatles as well as modern acts like The Lumineers and First Aid Kit. “We also get inspired by our personal experiences and the things we have each gone through,” says Jessica. Their influences are apparent in the new songs which are relatable, taking the listener through the joys and heartache of life, and weaving a story that spans the album. While the band identifies most with the Americana genre, it is easy to hear the blues, indie, and rock elements that wind their way into the melodies. The sibling harmonies and pure instrumentalism that make the music of The Iveys their own runs through the album from start to finish.

The release of Colors of Honey is on the horizon, just in time for the start of the summer touring season. The Iveys have the next six months cut out for them. 500 shows into their career, the band has a heavy tour schedule beginning in June, plus upcoming studio time in preparation for their next release in 2020. The band also releases a new live music video of a cover song each week as part of their “Tuesday Tunes” series. Everyone chalks it up to being one of the positive aspects of being in a band with your siblings; family comes first - not only on weekends and holidays but each time they pick up their instruments or load up the van for concerts across the country.

Colors of Honey will be available on all major services June 7, 2019.

The Iveys 2019 Tour:

6/1- Star City Studios (record release concert)- El Paso TX

6/6- The Ritchey Wine Saloon & Beer Garden- Alpine TX

6/9- The PourHaus- New Braunfels, TX

6/12- Mueller Farmers Market- Austin TX

6/13- Sanchos- San Antonio TX

6/15- Texas Farmers’ Market at Lakeline- Cedar Park TX

6/15- Salt Lick BBQ- Driftwood TX

6/16- Infamous Brewing- Austin TX

6/22- Two Docs Brewing Co.- Lubbock TX

6/27- County Line BBQ- Albuquerque, NM