Danielle Howle
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Folk/rock, contemporary folk, alternative pop
Status:
Most recent release, Pot of Water (2016)
See also:
Danielle Howle's official siteHowle has also sung lead vocals on Daemon Records recordings for Lay Quiet Awhile, and appeared in a Simple Machines Records "Working Holiday" compilation.
Comparisons:
Has been compared by some writers to Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, and Kristin Hersh (with a helping of okra and grits). (westie)
Covers/own material:
Own, does very rarely performs a cover, such as a gospel tune a cappella she once closed a set with to showcase her vocal abilities.
General comments:
Varies through career from edgy, stream of consciousness, subdued folk ("Soft White China Patterns on His Teeth") to rock ("Feel So Bad For You") to whimsical upbeat acoustic ("Frog Song"). Above all, a fine, charismatic, young, New South story teller. (westie)
Comments about live performance:
Live, Danielle Howle was a hoot. I don't think I've seen a performer so overflowing with personality since Victoria Williams. She played a much too short set, and I'm really eager to see her again. Basically, it was just her and guitar, singing almost country/folk stuff, though sometimes veering to the sort of acoustic indie rock sound. And always clever, amusing, and basically nuts. (neal)
Recommended first album:
About To Burst
Recordings include:
- Frog (7 inch, 1994)
- Live at McKissick Museum (1996)
- About To Burst (1996)
- High School Dance (7 inch) (1997)
- Do A Two Sable (1997)
- Catalog (1999)
- Skorborealis (with the Trantrums, 2002)
- Thank You, Mark (2005)
- Swamp Sessions (2008)
- New Year Revolutions (as Danielle Howle + Firework Show, 2012)
- Pot of Water (2016)
Frog (7 inch)
Release info:
1994—Simple Machines Records
Availability:
Possibly still available through Simple Machines
Ecto priority:
Lower priority
Group members:
Danielle Howle
Guest artists:
Tara Jane O'Neill
Comments:
Shows her charisma. (westie)
Live at McKissick Museum
Release info:
1996—Daemon Records; July 1995—Mill Records
Availability:
Seems readily available in the U.S.
Ecto priority:
Recommended for contemporary folk fans
Comments:
While she seemed personable and interesting—and most especially a good storyteller—in this disc, the musical style was not much to my taste. I would bet from this, though, that she'd be great live. (Neile)
About To Burst
Release info:
1996—Simple Machines Records
Availability:
Some availability in stores, otherwise order direct from Simple Machines
Ecto priority:
Recommended overview of several styles and flavorings of Howle and for those interested in current alternative pop and folk original songwriting.
Group members:
Danielle Howle—guitar and vocals
John Furr—guitar
Troy Tague—drums and backing vocals
Angelo Gianni—bass
Bryan Williams—bass
Guest artists:
Tara Jane O'Neil—drums, bass
Libby Petit—backing vocals
Dan Littleton—guitars
Comments:
Performs with her band, The Tantrums, broad range of emotional colors and musical styles from somber to energetic, showcases strong singing and an maturing poetic voice. (westie)
High School Dance (7 inch)
Release info:
1997—Sub Pop Records
Availability:
Available in the U.S. at places that carry indie releases
Ecto priority:
Interesting addition to Danielle's list of recordings; recommended.
Group members:
Danielle Howle—vocals, guitars, keyboards
Guest artists:
Members of The Grifters:
Dave Shouse—keyboards, piano
Scott Taylor—guitar
Russell Lamkin—bass
Doug Easley—drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion, bass
Comments:
Performs with backing help from members of the Grifters and studio owner Easley in a Memphis recording session that came about because of the Grifters' having met her on tour, connecting her with Sub Pop to make this single. Continues on the trail she blazed with About To Burst; tends toward the edgy, raw yet melodic side, with her strong vocals well highlighted in this garage-alterna-folk style disk. More well-written songs for the Danielle Howle fan, a good, primitively produced, atmospheric couple of tracks whose moods will stick to you a while after hearing them (although the echo voice effects ending one song may tend toward cheesiness). (westie)
Do A Two Sable
Release info:
1997—Daemon Records
Availability:
Readily available in the U.S.
Ecto priority:
Recommended.
Group members:
Danielle Howle—vocals, guitars, harmonica
John Furr—guitars and keyboard
Troy Tague—drums and vocals
Bryan Williams—bass and vocals
Comments:
November 1997 full-length studio release with the Tantrums; ranges across pop, rock, and country modes; has a strong live sound; Howle's voice again in fine form. Demonstrates her unusual ability to mix pop music with unconventional poetry instead of standard lyric forms. Thoughtful lyrics in songs like "Sittin on a Big Front Porch" might be overlooked if one gets caught up in the rollicking bar band music, but the depth and imagery of these lyrics deserve a second lookover. (westie)
Thanks to westie for work on this entry.
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