Artist description “If a smile had a sound, it would be the sound of Lee Dorsey’s voice.” Allen Toussaint. Toussaint may be right – but if one man could lay claim to Dorsey’s sunshine crown it may just be Bobhowla. Holed up in Old Swan, Liverpool, singer-songwriter Howard Doupe, brims with melody and wave upon wave of optimism. Under the moniker Bobhowla, his tunes combine the incandescent beauty of the Beach Boys, the rustic delicacy of Nick Drake and the offbeat oddball whimsy of Badly Drawn Boy. Indeed, his vocals are strikingly similar to that of Damon Gough. Taking influences from rap to classical, soul to songwriters like Ryan Adams and Jeff Klein, ‘Howla is never short of a new tune. Learning his trade in KGV college, Doupe describes his musical awakening, “I found someone willing to show me around the music department then there was no stopping me. I still have the reels that I filled with the odd tune and stuff from there. But at that stage I had never sung as I absolutely hated my voice!” After cobbling together an eight track and various music gadgets Doupe was away, “I was always ambitious with my music stretching the capabilities of the equipment I had. The first song I ever finished had backwards guitar at the start recorded on the original four track I had. It was also a first for my vocals too. I was really shy about doing this, but it was a case of I've got no-one else so I'd better do it.” With the EP finished Howla like all cool cats landed on his feet with his first solo gig – the headline slot on the acoustic bill at Covent Garden, London. “I was shitting myself, but pulled off an alright 45 minute set - with a little help from my housemates brother on drums ala 'Unplugged White Stripes style'. From there I got a gig at The Picket, and the word has just spread. I've put another EP together doing the same as before, writing new tunes all the time, and getting as many gigs as possible. The 'live' sound has also expanded with the help of an extra guitarist, Danny. It's just a matter of time until I get a whole band behind me and my tunes.” Unlike Wainman’s quiet almost distant style and Eland’s OTT theatrics, Doupe shares much of his stage manner from that of Barrand – more of a man of the people for the people… as he describes, “As a soloist, I believe you have to give so much more than a band. Just look at how Damon Gough or Ryan Adams put on a live show. Now I'm not saying I'm the world's next Robbie Williams (in terms of acting like a right prat on stage) but you have to appear genuine in your actions. Don't try and fool a crowd into thinking your having a great time if you're not. "You've just gotta be yourself, whether that be the next Liam Gallagher or Ian Curtis. Be true to them, and show your own emotions. Show them what the songs ACTUALLY mean to you, and where they were written from. Generally, you've got to have control of the crowd. After all there's no one else to get it back for you if you lose it.” But as Howard concedes – the solo routine is only the beginning as he attempts to build up a rhythm section and take his band to new soundscapes - “Did I mention the 48-piece orchestra that I need to a certain tune!”

Music Style Acoustic Indie

Group Members Howard Doupe - Vocal/Guitar Danny Riley - Lead Guitar Dan Paton - Backing Vocals & Keys

Albums 'Almost Anywhere' EP & 'Going Home' EP (Demo's)

Press Reviews see MATCHBOX RECORDINGS http://www.matchboxrecordings.co.uk/blastoff.htm

Location Liverpool, Merseyside - United Kingdom

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