FOR Honeyblood's Stina Tweeddale, the title of the Scottish duo's second album came from somewhere close to her heart.

"I have those words tattooed on my ribs. I guess you could call it a war cry; to have the faith to never let yourself be defeated," she says, ahead of Monday's 7.30pm gig presented by York promoters Please Please You at The Crescent Community Venue.

Tweeddale and Honeyblood's new drummer, Cat Myers, will be playing York for the first time, showcasing their Babes Never Die release on Fat Cat Records. "The title is my own mantra,” says Stina, who had settled on an eponymous title for their 2014 debut. "I think it’s something I tell myself every day. Indifference is a plague. Giving up and turning a blind eye will be the end of us. Never before has that been more true than now.

"Perhaps we should stare straight into the face of what frightens us and say that we will never let them win. When I use the word ‘Babe’ I don’t see it as gendered. I just wanted to share the phrase and the power it gives me. Saying that, like most Honeyblood lyrics, it is vaguely facetious.”

The Glaswegians have crafted 11 playful, impassioned tales of drama, horror, lust and laughter on the new album. "There’s a strong narrative theme that runs throughout the record, a sort of chaotic empowerment,” says Stina. "I wrote songs with real characters, more like stories. There’s a dark undertone throughout. I wanted gruesome romance stories rather than whiny love songs.“

Recording sessions took place in several candle-burning stints at London’s Fish Factory studio in the winter of 2016, when Stina and Cat were joined by producer James Dring, who had worked previously with Jamie T and Gorillaz.

"As a band it’s not often that you meet someone you can tell instantly ‘gets it’,” says Stina, recalling Honeyblood's trips south to meet Dring in North London. “He comes from a different place musically to anyone we’ve worked with before, which felt inspiring. He really listened to what we wanted to achieve, knew how to get the best out of us, and when he did bring in ideas, they were things we’d never have thought of."

What has been Cat Myers' influence on Honeyblood since replacing Shona McVicar in 2015? "When Cat joined the band, instantly Honeyblood’s sound developed,” Stina says. "Then as I started coming up with ideas for songs, it was to play to our strengths as this new duo."

To hear the results, tickets cost £10 at pleasepleaseyou.com or in person from The Inkwell, in Gillygte, York, or Jumbo Records in Leeds. Make sure to arrive in good time on Monday to see support acts Doe and The Televangelists.