Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Howle.
Hi Danielle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a songwriter, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, performing with my band (or solo) relentlessly over the last 30 years. With 15 albums on 7 small labels under my belt, I’m ready for my next adventure in music. My 16th album is near completion and will be self-released in early 2022 by the loving support of 200 Kickstarter backers and a good team of music professionals that I am currently in the process of hiring. The latest album was recorded in Charleston, SC with musicians coming in from NYC, Charlotte, and the small town of Wadmalaw island, just south of Charleston. I currently reside in Awendaw, SC just north of Charleston as “Artist in Residence” for an organization called Awendaw Green.
Every Wednesday for about 12 years, Awendaw Green continues to present an outdoor, concert called The Barn Jam. Bands from all over the US converge here once a week (rain or shine) to play to our enthusiastic and diverse crowd of super music fans. Crowds range from 40-500 people, depending on the season. Our director is Eddie White, who has become a trusted connector and curator for established working artists and the up-and-coming. Our music director also allows me to teach(and manage) a songwriting retreat on solar power at his property in The Francis Marion National Forest. This even is called Swamp Sessions and I enjoy bringing in artists on all skill levels to attend this retreat. This year, due to covid, our January event will be fully curated and is not open to the public for submissions. This will allow us to garner much needed content and orient our volunteer staff to future endeavors. We hope to be open for public submissions in the winter of 2022.
Like many working class artists, I wear many hats and sometimes find myself having many jobs outside of music. None of them last too long, as music remains my best job and vocation. Working and living at Awendaw Green has allowed me to achieve many my goals. Making albums and touring them, along with the songwriter’s retreat at Swamp Sessions has allowed me the opportunity to refine my skills while giving back to other artists through curating community programing. Through this organization, I feel I am making a difference in the lives of artists.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always struggles in any journey and remembering that life, like art is about the journey of discovery can be very humbling, and down right annoying at times. I could share some of my struggles, and maybe I will someday. For now, I am happy to share my adventures. They can be heard in this new album for sure!! Finding funding for my own work and for Swamp Sessions songwriter retreat has been challenging through the smiles and tears. Building a community of people who support artists in whatever way they can is an ongoing process. Being artist in Residence here at Awendaw Green has shown me how to get out of my own way, become a better person, musician and friend to self and others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a working creative musician and songwriter. I love making albums and touring them. I also love helping others find their creative voice in their music. Currently, I am proud of a project that has been two years in the making Called “Be Good To Yourself” This is a compilation CD of NC artists who came together to do cover songs of NC artists and others. It is a wonderful project to raise money and awareness for mental health issues that musicians face everywhere. Fortunately, the artists of North Carolina consider me part of their tribe and have the organization, large pool of talent, and acumen to shed light on these issues. For more information on this project go here! https://bgood2yourself.org/ to learn more about the artists and this project.
I feel it is a good model for communities that wish to help artists live healthy, productive lives.
My music is a career and a vocation. I’m living my dream as an artist and an advocate for music, music education, and creativity.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Eddie White- musical director/owner Awendaw Green https://www.facebook.com/awendawgreen/ Mark Bryan (Hootie and The Blowfish) my producer, friend, amazing musician and advocate for arts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Bryan
Becca Finlay
https://thisisnoteworthy.org/programs
Songwriter/music producer/ Studio owner/Band leader Sean Kelly (Savannah, GA) Founding member of the band “A Fragile Tomorrow”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Fragile_Tomorrow
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.daniellehowle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielle_howle/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielleHowleMusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/daniellehowle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbB1MrFjOVQ
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/danielle-howle/tracks
Image Credits
Charleston Music Hall
Joseph W. Nienstedt
JWNPhoto
Chris Kolb (@kolbmedia)
Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay
Jerry Stamps (@pixilillusionist)
