Skip navigation | Hello Netscape 4.x (or other older browser) User! The Southern web site is optimised for viewing in newer web standards compliant browsers (firefox, safari, opera, ie6). You still have full access to the content of this site but the layout is simplified. Please take this opportunity to freely upgrade to a browser from the last few years to enjoy the enhanced layout. you can use the keyboard to select the main options via access keys at any time: n = news, t = tours, l = labels, g = gallery, d = forums/discussions c = contact h = home/main page, u = upcoming releases, r = recent releases, s = skip navigation.
Danielle Howle
Danielle Howle is the most original and compelling performer we
have ever seen "by accident". She commands equally undivided attention whether
she is knocking you down with the sheer force of her voice, twisting you into
knots with the subtle complexity of the inner logic of her vocal decisions, or
charming you with her effortless wit and between-song chatter. When Danielle
is in the room you can't help but hang on her every word, and once you've
seen her perform on the floor of some restaurant, with her acoustic guitar
and her notebook, her glass of water and her guitar case propping up her
feet, you can't help but think there might truly just be such a thing as
"star quality" that doesn't have a thing to do with ad budgets, makeup
stylists or major label deals.
It's very difficult to describe her music as she doesn't fall easily into
one style. Some of the lazier journalists will say folk or country. If that
piques your interest, fine, there are definite influences there, but don't
assume that's everything. Self-taught, her songs follow an internal logic
that defies the traditional pop structures and vogue songwriting styles.
Given her chance, Danielle will belong in the canon of intuitive musicians,
like a Joni Mitchell or a Liz Phair.
When asked directly, Danielle is uncomfortable with being labeled an acoustic
artist or "songwriter" but rather likes to think of herself as someone who
captures little bits of time. "I'm not trying to shock people with bad
language and weirdness," she says, "I'm trying to tell whatever truth is
there. I do not need electricity to make a big noise." Nor does she need it
to attract attention. She so enraptured a packed, attentive throng of fans
at the Milestone (NC) when opening for loud grunge wunderkind headliners The
Melvins that you could hear a pin drop. Now that's power.
The Frog Song 7" was Danielle's first release on Simple Machines. The 7"
includes two tracks recorded by Geoff Turner at WGNS Studios, with special
guest bassist Tara Jane O'Neil from Rodan/Retsin, and a live track from her
opening performance at the Working Holiday Party in January, 1994.
Danielle's first full length record for Simple Machines is called About
to Burst and is out now.
Danielle
also performed as singer for the band Lay Quiet Awhile, which has
records out on Daemon, the label run by Amy of the Indigo Girls.
Danielle and Lay Quiet Awhile have toured both Europe and the US with the
Indigo Girls in the past, and this summer Dannielle toured the US
twice with the likes of Elliott Smith, Mary Lou Lord, Grifters, Retsin
and Ida. If you missed her this time, look out for Danielle next spring
when she plans to tour again.