Biography
Hannah Howes has been a highlight at New Zealand reggae and folk festivals, has toured NZ multiple times to celebrate three independently released albums and shares the stage with some of this country's most sought after musicians. Her 'compelling' voice finds solace in a variety of styles; echoes of old jazz, reggae, folk, country and soul escort 'intelligent' and socially conscious lyrics. She has recently performed a series of shows in Japan and in the past year has completed two national tours and several regional tours.
'Clearly articulated philosophies and dreamy lyrics'
(Critic Magazine)
Beginning in Dunedin as ‘Sista Mischief’ her hit 'Secret', with downbeat breaks producer 'Ecophonik' became one of the top NZ independent singles in 2004 and she fronted the act at a number of festivals. She performed solo at the same festivals, wowing fans keen on a female role-model in a male-dominated reggae/dub genre and festival scene. The same year she produced her first solo recording, 'Patchwork Quilt' a reggae/folk EP that combined the engineering and performance skills of Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots, Little Bushman) and Matt Eddy (Zuvuya, Phantom Power) and followed the release with a twenty-date self-funded tour. She followed suit again in 2006 with the release of 'Live at Bodega' and was accredited with inventing a new genre 'folk-dub'. Both albums reached top 10 Bnet status and received national airplay for years to follow.
Her newest album, 'Candy', (engineered by award winning Surgery Studios Owner, Lee Prebble and featuring an all-star line-up) has received rave reviews, with Radio NZ National's Manu Taylor stating, “Brilliant… She's genius”.
'Compelling vocals, sumptuous soul'
(Groove Guide)
'Compelling singer and storyteller'
(Dominion Post)
Hannahs sound has reached the hearts of many small-town New Zealanders in her capacity as a touring artist, playing boutique venues and major festivals alike. Her festival performances include Toots and Grooves Festival (Horowhenua), Soundsplash (Raglan), Parihaka International Peace Festivals (Taranaki), Rippon (Wanaka), Nelson Arts Festival, Dunedin Fringe Festival, Destinations (Arthurs Pass), Cause (Wanaka), Kaikoura Roots Festivals, Newtown Festival (Wellington), Riverside (Motueka).
Performing solo, in a duo, with a trio and a five piece band, Hannah combines forces with musicians from leading reggae (Hikoikoi) and alt country bands (Woolshed Sessions). On stage she also draws on the skills of some of New Zealand’s iconic players, including award-winning Te Reo singer/song-writer Ariana Tikao, Flying Nun and Southern Sinfonia’s Alan Starrett and World Beatbox Champion, King Homeboy. Hannah's 'calm and powerful' stage presence will leave audiences tantalised.
'Intelligent, ambitious and unpretentious...Hannah's music speaks to the heart, brain and soul' (Dunedin Fringe Festival)
‘Anything but disposable, sugary, pop – rather an intelligent, smooth, mellow offering’ (NZ Musician)
In November 2009, Howes entered the Japanese music world, drawing on local talent for accompaniment on her tour and captivating the hearts of Japanese audiences. Hannah returned to NZ in 2010 with a short tour of the country's mid section Summer Festivals and cosy boutique venues and in May and June 2010 completed a New Zealand nationwide Wahine Toa Tour with contemporary Waiata writer Ariana Tikao and support from Hikoikoi's Ben Lemi Wood and Japanese Jazz artist Nanako Sato.
'CANDY' REVIEWS
"Brilliant... great voice, great interpretation, a troubadour, she writes VERY good songs and the track 'Candy' had the effect of dragging almost everybody in my office space into my office asking who it was and that is a rare thing. She's genius.” (NZ National Radio)
"Howes’s voice is pure, understated and very easy to listen to, sounding entirely relaxed and at home in a variety of styles...anything but disposable, sugary, pop- rather an intelligent, smooth, mellow offering that keeps getting better with each listen... Candy is a pleasure" (NZ Musician Magazine)