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David Haberfeld Honeysmack

 Photo: Justin McManus, The Age September 2021

David Haberfeld, also known by his artist name Honeysmack, is an electronic music producer, composer, live performer, DJ, academic, and music technologist. Since the early 1990s, he has been a driving force in the evolution of electronic dance music, known for his electrifying, hardware-based live sets that fuse acid techno, electro, and experimental sounds with a raw, punk rock energy.

Emerging from the underground techno scene in Melbourne, David has remained fiercely independent and deeply rooted in that culture. As Honeysmack, he creates music in real time using drum machines, synthesizers, and modular gear—eschewing pre-recorded tracks in favour of improvisation and spontaneity. His live performances, more akin to a band than a traditional DJ set, are high-octane, unpredictable, and consistently innovative. He has earned a strong reputation both locally and globally, performing at major festivals and underground events, and co-writing with legends like Burt Bacharach. His track record includes an ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) nomination for Best Dance Music Release.

Beyond performance, David is an experienced industry professional, educator, and researcher, with a deep understanding of the rapid changes in how we produce, perform, market, and teach music in the digital age. His leadership and creative communication across the music and media industries span nearly three decades, combining hands-on experience with strategic insight. David also works extensively in music technology and design, contributing to the development and use of electronic instruments and creative workflows that enhance live performance and audience engagement.

David holds a PhD in music composition, with his exegesis Bacharach, Britney, and Acid Techno Bangers: The Evolving Creative Practice of Honeysmack exploring real-time compositional techniques in electronic dance music. His research focuses on merging studio and performance-based practices, investigating how improvisation, technology, and genre conventions shape creative output. As an academic, he has lectured at universities across Australia, the USA, and China, with presentations at international conferences on music and technology.

Through Honeysmack, David Haberfeld continues to challenge conventions and push the boundaries of electronic music. With a practice grounded in underground ethos, he remains a forward-thinking force in electronic dance music—bridging the past, present, and future of techno.

 Photo: Mel Butters, March 2023

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