INTERVIEW:
Anna Howie
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I have been speaking with…
the incredible Anna Howie about her new single, Searching for Christmas. She reveals the background behind it, what it was like recording in Nashville, some of the music and artists who have inspired her, correcting and tackling gender inequality throughout the industry, and what we can expect next. The London-born artist released the terrific album, The Friday Night Club (that title reminds me of Sheryl Crow’s wonderful debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club), and it is one that I would recommend everyone checks out. It is a rich and hugely satisfying and wonderful album that I have been revisiting quite a bit. With a recent single, How to Stop Crying, building on the momentum and brilliance of Friday Night Club, I was excited to hear what Searching for Christmas had to offer. Thanks to the amazing Anna Howie for discussing her latest track with me and revealing more about her musical path and loves. It has been a pleasure speaking with an artist that…
EVERYONE should follow.
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Hi Anna. How are you? How has your week treated you?
Hi, Sam. A good week, thank you. I am currently in a campervan just outside Cardiff.
Before getting into current music, can you take me back to your earliest years. Was there a particular artist that drew you to music, or something in you that you felt needed to come out?
I've always loved stories and writing things down; so before I ever wrote a song, I would write stories about people and places. On the music side, I would have to go first to Dolly Parton as she has been a constant. Many major milestones in my life - first car, first trip away from home, first flat - all feature Dolly as a soundtrack. Allso Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and more recently, I have come to love other really great storytellers: Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, John Prine.
When did that spark first appear?
At primary school, I was the only one in my class who would ever sing on their own - so I was always being wheeled out when no one else would do it. But it was when I was at uni that I got to sing backing vocals for a band for the first time - ad that was it, there was no going back!
Born in London, I can hear a lot of U.S. and Country influences. How did that genre come in your life?
My dad was a Johnny Cash fan. And, for me, it was Dolly. I fell in love with the stories.
“Also, I have so many fantastic women artist friends who should be heard by as much as possible, as often as possible”
Do you think that it is a style of music that is still underrated and underplayed in this country?
Yes! But ever-growing. The festivals popping up all over the U.K. dedicated to Americana and Country music are testimony to that! But we need a new name for it, I think, the U.K. version. Lots of my songs are about London and growing up there, so it always feels strange to call it ‘Americana’.
You have previously recorded in Nashville. What was that experience like?
I really enjoyed it. It’s quick. Very different to here. The structure of the Nashville day is set up around writing and recording sessions, but I was very lucky to work with Bob Britt and a band of fantastic session musicians. It was great.
I believe you have put on all-female showcases/events and are very much about empowering other women. How important is this to you, and what was it that kindled that particular passion and desire?
It’s hard trying to make a career out of music. It’s especially hard if you are a woman. I think the statistic is just 12% of people who play festivals in the U.K. are women. I think it’s really important to try and reset the balance. Also, I have so many fantastic women artist friends who should be heard by as much as possible, as often as possible.
“Just small venues, but it was so great to get out there and meet people and share songs”
You have had big support from various stations and publications. I still think stations struggle to create gender balance and genre balance. Is this an issue you think needs to be a top priority for 2024?
Yes, always. Not just in music - in everything -, I do feel like it is shifting slowly in the right direction. The next generation (I have two daughters) won’t stand for it. Also, I think the role of men plays such an important part in the shift. We all need to work together.
Looking back on this year, what memories stick in the mind? Do you have any particular highlights?
I am really glad that you asked this question because it has made me stop and think about it! And there are lots. I did my first solo tour this year. I was nervous to go to places where people didn't know me. At a time when audiences are down. But I really enjoyed it. Just small venues, but it was so great to get out there and meet people and share songs. Also, The ARC Songwriters Tour, which is myself and Kate Ellis and My Girl the River in a writers round, has been a joy - they are both great artists, and I feel very lucky to get on stage with them, sing on their songs, and have them on mine. Also, being one of Black Deer Festival’s Emerging Artists was great.
I could go on…but all in all a good year!
Talk to me about your new single, Searching for Christmas. How did that song come together?
I actually wrote it last year, but not in time to release it properly. It’s about a night out in London a few years ago that ended up with me alone, crying in a well-known church off Trafalgar Square. I recorded it with my fabulous band at Saltwell Studio in Cambridgeshire. And it is produced by my ARC Songwriter Series sister, My Girl the River (a.k.a. Kris Wilkinson Hughes). Yesterday, I filmed the video, in the actual church and all around the streets of London, which was loads of fun to do. I was swigging from a wine bottle at four in the afternoon on the Tube. People kept asking if I was ok. It was only Ribena, but I could tell they weren't convinced when I told them that.
It is almost Christmas now. How will you be spending it this year?
At home and with family and friends and mince pies.
How do you usually unwind at this time of year?
The single comes out on 1st December, so there will be lots of promotion around that over the next few weeks. But when it is time to unwind, dog walks, stupid family games, and time with friends will do it
What does next year hold in store?
I am going to write a new album (there, I've said it out loud as motivation).
Might we see some tour dates or new music in 2024?
Yes. Planning a spring headline tour in March. And we have more ARC dates too.
Finally, and for being a good sport, you can select any song you like (other than your own music) and I will play it here. What shall we go with?
Sheryl Crow has just been announced as a headliner at Black Deer Festival in June, which is great. Can I have Strong Enough, which is one of my favourites of hers?
Thank you, Sam. Big love to you x
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