- Save The Date: Azz-Is Jazz/Not-Jazz Festival on Sunday, Nov 6th in Venice, CA - October 22, 2022
- Bay Area Singer-Songwriter Evelyn Rose Releases New Album “Little Moments” - October 14, 2022
- MR PUZL – “Tomorrow – Original Mix” (feat. Maarten Goji) - July 20, 2022
Gearing up for their highly anticipated debut album release, LA-based duo Howls are most certainly on the “grind” as we like to say here at GroundSounds. What does this mean? It means that they not only make great music, but they hustle, they sweat, they sacrifice, all for the chance to make music for the masses. They’ve also been building a strong buzz online and offline.
To us, this is all worthy of mentions on any blog, but because we’re on “grind time” as well, we’re happy and excited to consistently shine the spotlight on those who “get it.”
Howls are a great example of a band that due to their long history of knowing one another, show some promise when it comes to building a natural following here in LA and across the globe. Their self-titled debut album (streaming in full below), comes out Tuesday, May 13th and after listening to it, I’m even more impressed with their skills, songwriting and production alike.
The album comes out on Buddyhead Records whose roster includes Murder City Devils, the Cassettes, Bonfire Beach and many more, so I’d say they’re in good company. We recently got the chance to chat with Howls‘ Christian Stone to learn more about how they formed, their influences, why they make music, and their goals for the future.
Also, as a reminder, we’ve provided their full album stream at the bottom of the interview, so be sure to take a listen to that before it’s officially released. Enjoy!
Hi Howls! Thanks for chatting with us at GroundSounds! How is 2014 treating you so far?
Hello to you! Thank you for asking us to talk with you (and your interweb readers). 2014 has been a very busy year for us… so far so good.
You’ve had quite the musical journey that has led you both to this moment, releasing an album as Howls. Tell us how you two first met and the major events that happened along the way that made way for Howls.
I hesitate on a question like this. Mostly because I think: Does it really matter how we met? Should anyone care how we met? Do I even REMEMBER how we met? What does it mean to meet people? But… who am I to get all existential at a time like this.
Anna and I have played music together many times over the years. I first met her in 2001 (i think?). She was dating the bass player (Andrew Clark) for my band at the time, Campfire Girls. I went with him to see her perform at some acoustic shows and I was completely blown away by her voice. I immediately asked Andrew if we could have her sing some vocals on our record. (Which she did.. and beautifully, too.) When Campfire called it quits in ’04, Andrew and I decided to do a new project, which ended up turning into Monsters Are Waiting. My main goal in that band was to have a female vocalist that I could sing with. Annalee was the natural choice. We were all very close at the time. I even lived with the two of them for a period. But, I ended up leaving the band in order to deal with some personal issues (drugs are bad, kids!) and they went on without me. That was a great band with really great players. Anyway, fast forward to ’09: Monsters had broken up, I had finally gotten my act together, started working on a solo record and I called Anna to come sing on it with me. Once we started writing and recording together again we knew we wanted to release a record. It took some time and a few incarnations but, eventually, it became what we’re releasing now.
For those who are just discovering your music, describe your background and what made you get involved with music in the first place. How has your sound and taste developed over the years?
I will refer you to Anna’s answer on this one because I think it’s beautiful and to the point: “I personally got involved with music growing up in Portland and being stuck inside everyday from the constant rain. I wish I had an idea of how my tastes developed over the years but I really don’t know, other than just loving music and thinking I would probably die a little if it were gone.”
As far as my musical background, I’m kind of a musical slut. I have loved everything from Prince to Black Sabbath to Elvis Costello over the years. But.. who doesn’t love Black Sabbath.
I’ve been exploring your debut tracks and have really enjoyed listening to the new stuff on your Soundcloud page. As I’ve been listening, I can’t help but notice these underlying themes: soft, subtle vocals, growling synths, and really clean percussion elements. All of these elements really give your music an enticing layer of both darkness and triumph, as well. There is a personality to the songs that makes them enjoyable and relaxing. What inspired you two to want to make the music that we hear? Were there any challenges during the writing/recording process or was it mostly fun?
Well, I appreciate the reference to darkness and triumph and I’m sure those themes are there, but I don’t know if it’s intentional or not. I think the best stuff comes when you’re not looking or trying too hard, especially. Music comes from another dimension. The writer’s job is to get out of it’s way so it can come through. I think darkness and triumph are just part of being human.
Is there a story behind the name “Howls”?
Haha, yes, actually. My twelve year old son came up with it. I thought it was as good a name as any, really.
I really love your most recent release “Fool,” which is also the first track on your album. How long had this song been in the works and what were some of the main influences behind the writing and production on this track? Was this is always your first pick for the start of the album or was that a tough decision?
That song was kind of a sleeper. It started out as an analog synth jam I had recorded one day with Dan Koontz from Flaamingos. After overdubbing all these piano parts with Georgui Linev (now in Kan Wakan) and with Annalee’s vocals… it ended up in this whole other cabaret-ish vibe. We just followed the song where it led. It’s funny though… when Travis (from our label, Buddyhead) began helping with the process of song selection, it became clear to me that I have no business ‘choosing’ songs. I’m much more suited to writing them than to choosing them. It’s sort of like deciding which of your pets to feed and which to let starve to death. Nothing I’d ever be good at. Travis really liked that song and we trusted his choices and his taste. Although, to her credit, I know Anna has always had a strong affinity for that song.
Which artists and bands (current and/or classic) are you currently listening to? Are there any artists that you would like to tour with or collaborate with in the studio?
I am a huge fan of the ‘shuffle’ mode on my iPhone. I fill it up with a bunch of records that I like and stick new ones in that I want to check out and let them come up randomly… there’s something special about the contrast of different styles and genres. But, on my record player at home the new Junip and the new Warpaint have been on repeat for awhile now. That reminds me…I need to go record shopping.
Personally, I’m determined to record something with Carla Azar from Autolux someday, somehow. Whether she wants me to or not. I’m a big fan of Autolux. It’s hard to come up in Los Angeles with your soul intact. I think they’ve accomplished that.
What are some of the festivals or venues on your bucket list to perform at? If you had to pick a foreign country to tour, where would you go first?
I would leave today to play anywhere in Europe for any amount of people.
Your debut self-titled album officially comes out on May 13th. What are your immediate plans after the release and then for the rest of the year? Can we expect a music video? Tour?
We’ll continue to play in the Los Angeles area for a bit. We’ll be trying to do a west coast run later this year as well. Our goal is to do a video for every song on the record. We have a few done and a few more in the works… we’re currently taking video director applications. People with Coppola in their name to the front of the line, please. 😉
Well, thanks again for taking some time to chat with us! Best of luck this year and please let us know when you’re playing next in sunny Los Angeles, we’d love to catch your set!
Thank YOU Groundsounds!
