The London-based pair Honey Ryder, whose name derives from the character portrayed by Ursula Andress in a Bond film, drew considerable notice through their unconventional approach to the music business alongside their recordings. Martyn Shone and Lindsay O'Mahony, connected via common acquaintances, initiated their songwriting partnership; prior to this, Shone balanced a career as a guitarist with employment as a banker in the city, whereas O'Mahony had collaborated at MTV with Edith Bowman and Alex Zane. Adopting an investment structure reminiscent of certain U.K. film enterprises, they offered stakes in anticipated earnings to backers. This distinctive financing method attracted the interest of Eric Nicoli, the ex-CEO of EMI, leading him not only to contribute funds but also to serve as a guide for the duo. Their first record, Rising Up, came out in 2008 under the production of Goldust, known for work with Bryan Adams and Natasha Bedingfield, and included the successful tracks "Numb," which reached number 32, and "Fly Away," peaking at number 31. Honey Ryder opened for acts such as Michael Bolton, Will Young, and Hue & Cry during British concert runs, took the stage at the SXSW festival located in Texas, and received a direct invitation from the spouse of Roy Orbison—O'Mahony's idol from youth—to participate in a commemorative show honoring the singer. Additionally, they launched a creative tour across schools nationwide, capturing performances for online sales with proceeds directed back to the educational institutions.
