This interview was recorded on a walk in Glasgow’s Pollok park. It might take your ear a minute to adjust. We discuss how Howie makes music, listen to some of his tracks, and then turn our attention to some musics he likes to listen to, and for this episode he’s selected entirely Japanese artists, so we’ll listen to Wakiichi Tsumezawa, Kumio Kurachi, Yukiko Matsukura, and Naoto Kawate.
Howie Reeve is a Glasgow-based bassist, singer, songwriter, and improviser. He has toured extensively across the UK, Europe, Japan and Canada, often working in DIY communities and spaces. His music is often thought of as post-punk, but sometimes feels like trad or folk or even pop music. In any case, it’s from the heart. Howie has released seven or eight albums and collaborates with artist including Mike Watt, Alasdair Roberts, Andy Kerr, Cathy Heyden, Simay Wu. Listen to more at https://howiereeve.bandcamp.com.
Talking with Howie and listening to his music made me think about a few things in my own work and in my listening habits. First of all, what do I need from a song? What do you need from a song? Do you need it to repeat or can you handle lots of change? I think I might try to write a song with more changes in it. Make that a new space to explore. And if you’re a songwriter, could that be a useful challenge for you?
Also working with others. Howie spoke rather nicely about the importance of DIY scenes in his life. It reminded me of the beauty of basically just helping each other do things. It opens up possibility, capability, and spreads joy. I’m going be looking for opportunities to do that in my life.
