He initially made a name for himself with his unique take on the one-man-band format; now Bristol-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Howlin’ Lord has gathered together a band to give full expression to his raw country blues.
Howlin' Lord plays guitar and banjo as well as singing, and he’s joined by some of Bristol’s finest musicians: Dan Hunt on guitar, Mark Lectic on bass, and Emily Breeze on drums, all of whom provide the layered, textured backing vocals now intrinsic to the Howlin' Lord sound. Don’t be surprised if you catch fiddle players Bernie Artuso or Ruth Behan performing with the band on occasion too.
“This is what Hank Williams would have sounded like if he'd strapped a drum kit to his
back and fallen drunkenly down the stairs of The Grand Ole Oprey in outer-space.”
Martin Myers (Resonance FM)
Influences range from classic old country and folk such as the Carter Family, Hank Williams and Woodie Guthrie, through the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers to the contemporary sounds of Gillian Welch, Mumford and Sons, and the Avett Brothers.
The band’s debut EP The Blackheart Sessions is available now. It’s a beguiling mix of uptempo banjo-led floor-fillers (John Doe), stripped back acoustic heartbreakers (Reunion Song), and harmony-rich electric gospel for the disenchanted (Down To The River).
Howlin’ Lord plays regularly in Bristol and beyond, with full band and also solo: to date he’s played Dot To Dot and the Camden Crawl, and he and the band have recently returned from a second jaunt over to Ireland. Live, you can expect a show to remember.
“He has the skinny poor white trash look nailed and a cracked and parched voice to match.
Snapping a string with his opening chord leaves him entirely unfazed and a riotous set
of galloping raw country blues ensues. It's terrific, entirely in keeping with the spirit of
Hank Williams, whining, urgent and desperate.” Venue Magazine
FFI go to www.myspace.com/howlinlord
31 Jul 2009 The Lousiana (free entry!) Bristol
28 Aug 2009 Beeses Riverside Bar Bristol
18 Sep 2009 Folk House Bristol
20 Sep 2009 Bristol Festival
(read less)He initially made a name for himself with his unique take on the one-man-band format; now Bristol-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Howlin’ Lord has gathered together a band to give full expression to his raw country blues.
Howlin' Lord plays guitar and banjo as well as singing, and he’s joined by some of Bristol’s finest musicians: Dan Hunt on guitar, Mark Lectic on bass, and Emily Breeze on drums, all of whom provide the layered, textured backing vocals now intrinsic to the...
(read more)
