When it comes to capturing the sound and spirit of Austin’s thriving live music scene, few bands do it quite like Honey Made. The ten-piece R&B powerhouse has become synonymous with high-energy performances, tight musicianship and a sound they’ve coined “Texas R&B” – a bold fusion of vintage funk, soul and modern groove infused with unmistakable Southern heat. Now, as they celebrate their official selection for the 2026 SXSW Music Festival, the band stands on the cusp of a defining moment in their rise.

At the center of that momentum is Donald McDaniel, Honey Made’s trombone player and manager, whose dual role helps shape both the band’s commanding stage presence and its strategic growth. While participating in the group’s SXSW showcase on Friday, March 13 at the Saxon Pub in Austin, the musician helped bring Honey Made’s signature energy the festival’s global audience of music lovers.

Praised by critics for their golden Motown sound and deep, funk-driven arrangements, the Texas-based group has earned a reputation as being one of Austin’s must-see live acts. The band was awarded the Best Live Band honors from Austin Fit Magazine two years running.

Honey Made’s catalog, including standout releases like ‘Brand New,’ ‘Charge It to the Band Fund’ and ‘Pass Me By,’ continues to build momentum. The musicians’ material and recent live sessions hint at even bigger things ahead.

Having shared stages with icons like George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, The Soul Rebels, and The Spin Doctors, Honey Made is no stranger to commanding attention. But their SXSW 2026 appearance signals something more: a breakthrough moment as they carry their infectious blend of funk, soul and R&B beyond Austin and onto an international stage.

The day after Honey Made’s official SXSW show, McDaniel generously took the time to sit down for an exclusive interview at the Austin Marriott Downtown hotel. During the chat, the musician reflected on the group’s journey, the evolution of their sound and what it means to represent Texas R&B at one of the world’s most influential music festivals.

Film Factual (FF): You play the trombone in the contemporary R&B/soul band, Honey Made. What inspired you to pursue music as a career, and ultimately join the group?

Donald McDaniel (DM): Music has been a lifelong pursuit for me. I started playing instruments in the fourth grade. My very first instrument was a cornet.

I always tell the story that my dad worked for Sears Roebuck at the time – back then it was like the Amazon of its day. Everybody had a Sears catalog. Their private brand was called Silvertone, and that was my first instrument. I also grew up singing in church. So it’s been a lifelong pursuit.

FF: What was the experience like getting Honey Made together as a group?

DM: It’s quite a backstory. This group of musicians has been together since 2013. We were originally a band called Mama Kay and the Shades, founded by Kelsey Garcia and a saxophonist named David McNite. David was the creative force behind the band – he brought all the musicians together. We had a good run from 2013 to around 2017.

David’s original vision was to form a large band with a full horn section. At that time, the sound leaned more toward funk and soul. Now we’ve moved closer to R&B and soul. It’s really just a group of solid musicians who wanted to make music together.

FF: You mentioned transitioning genres. What was the process like deciding what styles you wanted to play with Honey Made?

DM: One of our main writers is Willie Barnes, who’s also a lead singer. Over time, we wanted to evolve. Funk is a great sound, but R&B gives us a broader palette when writing.

We’re not a single-genre band, though – we still have funk elements, definitely R&B and soul, and now some hip-hop influence. One track, ‘Ashy Pockets My Mode,’ even has a metal/rock feel. Our sound has evolved naturally based on what we enjoy playing.

FF: How would you describe your current sound?

DM: Our sound is always evolving, but we describe it as “Texas R&B.” It’s a bit edgier—not country, but influenced by Southern roots. It has gospel influence and strong soul elements, and it’s sometimes heavier than other styles of R&B.

FF: Besides you, the group has nine other members. How do you approach writing songs with your bandmates?

DM: Typically, one songwriter or a small group – no more than three – will develop an idea. They’ll build out the chord structure and song sections like verses, choruses, and maybe a bridge. Once it’s more complete, it comes to the band.

At that point, it becomes collaborative. Individual musicians start developing their parts based on the chord sequence, style and tempo. The horn section works out arrangements, the bass player develops the bassline, and so on.

FF: When rehearsing with your fellow musicians, do you ever change the sound or structure of the group’s songs?

DM: Many of our songs have space for solos. In live performances, we expand those sections – solos are longer, and more musicians might solo. We also sometimes extend choruses. We keep the groove going longer than on recordings.

FF: What’s the live performance experience like for you when Honey Made is on stage?

DM: That’s where we’re really in our element. We’re known as a great live band. We perform with energy, joy and enthusiasm. Our lead singers are moving and dancing, and we try to bring the audience into that experience. We want people out of their seats, having fun. We’re a large band, as we have 10 pieces with a full horn section. So it’s a big, dynamic sound that audiences don’t hear every night.

FF: You had your SXSW Music Festival showcase (the night before the interview) at the Saxon Pub in Austin. What (was) your experience like at the festival, especially during your performance?

DM: We had a great showcase at the Saxon Pub! People were dancing and having a good time.

But beyond performing, this experience is about connecting with other creatives. As band manager, I’ve been working on sync licensing, which means getting our music into film, TV, trailers or commercials. I’ve been meeting music supervisors and trying to connect with booking agents and talent buyers. For me, it’s as much about networking as performing.

FF: Like you just mentioned, you also serve as Honey Made’s manager. How did you approach managing the band, while also playing the trombone?

DM: Being in a band is a 24/7 effort. You’re constantly promoting, booking shows and engaging fans. It’s not just about posting on social media; it’s also about building a community. Booking is ongoing; you’re always looking months ahead, reaching out to festivals and handling inquiries. We also do weddings and corporate events, which require more logistics like sound equipment and engineers. It’s an everyday responsibility to keep things moving.

FF: Honey Made is based in Austin. What has your experience been like in the city beyond the festival?

DM: Austin is a great creative hub. It’s like car dealerships clustered together – it creates traffic and visibility. The same applies to creatives. Being around a community generates energy and idea exchange that you don’t get working alone.

FF: Speaking of Austin’s collaborative nature amongst artists, do you enjoy collaborating with other local musicians?

DM: Absolutely. We often perform with other local artists like Tomar and the FCs, Big Wy’s Brass Band, and Capital. One thing we’d like to do more of is co-write with artists outside the band to bring in new creative perspectives.

FF: Are there any other artists you’d like to collaborate with or who inspire you?

DM: We’d love to perform with bands in a similar space. Locally, opening for Black Pumas would be great. We also admire bands like Durand Jones & The Indications and St. Paul and the Broken Bones. So opportunities to share the stage with them would be fantastic.

FF: What is Honey Made currently working on? Are you developing new music?

DM: We are working on new music, though nothing to announce yet. We’re also planning to release a music video soon for our track ‘Pass Me By.’ Hopefully by the end of the year, we’ll have new singles, an EP or possibly an album.

For updates, music and more information, visit Honey Made’s official website, as well as their Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok and YouTube pages.