Rock. pop, alternative. 60's influenced singer/songwriter material with balls.

14 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, FOLK: Folk Pop



Details:
Bobhowla, is essentially 27yr old âSandgrounderâ and troubadour Howard Doupe. Southport born Doupeâs debut has been 5 years in the making. He has enjoyed successful collaborations with a number of musicians (several contributions appear here), yet the albumâs genesis, foundation and raison dâetre are moulded and influenced by Doupeâs heartfelt determination to embrace the âhonourableâ and âadmirableâ art of songwriting.

Doupe freely admits to sharing, with many others, the ubiquitous inspiration following his early experiences of both Nirvana and Oasis. Where he positively differs is in eschewing the overplayed anthem and bombast and relying on his inherent ability to convey his feelings via a collection of songs which have been allowed to simply âexpress themselvesâ.

Doupeâs âcompulsionâ to create music which âcomes from withinâ is majestically manifested via idioms ranging from blues â flecked alt-country, psychedelic folk to both heart rendering melancholic and uplifting swaggering indie guitar homageâs and point to influences from Ryan Adams, Jeff Klein, Kings of Convenience to Lowgold, Beck and Spiritualized.

Doupeâs Bobhowla align the classical acoustic harmonies of Dylan (perfectly portrayed in the hidden track âSing Soul Serenadeâ), with the more contemporary melodies and story-telling of a McNabb, Fretwell or Rice (âLast Nightâ,âMillion $ Manâ, âTiptoeâ).

The diversity of musical soundscapes are underpinned by the mournful yet beautiful coda (âForever Closeâ), its fragility exemplified through layered guitars and itâs angst ridden denouement matched by a succession of soaring, searing, guttural guitars, manic Moon-like drums and a gravel vocal (âNever Faded Awayâ) or the U2 meets Mogwai epic instrumental (âNever The Only Oneâ).

Overall, this debut captivates and stirs the listener in equal measure, whether it be with the Drake imbued grief laden (âBrittle Sticksâ) or the psychedelic pop infused Laâs Vs Shack sing-a-long of (âStick With Your Babyâ). Doupe has established a creditable template upon which he should continue to âcreate expansive pieces of musicâ from the heart with soul.

Words: Steve Williams