I am in no way officially associated with Rowland S. Howard or his estate or any other entities
Rowland S. Howard deserves much more recognition in the world and I built this site because I wanted to contribute to this goal however I could and you’re looking at it.
I’m irrelevant, just a fan that wants to contribute to the vital dialogue about Rowland and his work and help promote his legacy.
There are a few sites devoted to him, of course, and I’m sure there will be more in the future! Check out these very important links!!!
Rowland S. Howard Tribute Page on Facebook
From the Archives: Rowland S. Howard Chronology, Discography, and Videography.
Just to reiterate that I am in no way officially associated with Rowland S. Howard or his estate or any other entities. This site is a labor of love. Contact me for credit or removal.
This site is a work in progress for sure, and I’m going to, of course, heavily link to the other places that already have the info that you’re looking for. I’m not reinventing the wheel, just helping to refine it and make it look prettier. Shiny things for the kids, am I right?
Everyone interprets everything in their own way and I think that’s what so special about Rowland’s music for me and others. I listen to his music daily and hear something new every time, which isn’t something I’ve experienced with many other artists.
There’s a lot of material to sort through! Even though Rowland didn’t achieve the volume of a catalog that many of us would have wished for, there’s still quite a bit to work with. What he did leave behind, in my opinion, is truly extraordinary. As I said, I hear something new upon each listen.
Oh yeah, welcome to this site.
Music continues to save my life, especially during these trying times. It’s now practically Summer 2022 and as I said, I listen to Rowland and only a small handful of other artists, daily. His music comforts me when I’m feeling disturbed and disturbs me when I think I’m comfortable, but only in the best ways, however that quote goes?
So a long time ago, I and my merry band of underage cohorts in Los Angeles went out to clubs, a lot. We loved the music, above all else. Scenes come and go, but the music is eternal, in my humble opinion.
This was before the internet. Can you even imagine?
Enter The Birthday Party.
I heard Mr. Clarinet in for the first time on the dance floor of Helter Skelter. Yes, that’s an accurate link that described our dancing. Clad in all black with our grand sweeping movements that I christened “the blooming flower” and the “floor sweeper”.
I couldn’t believe that what I was hearing was coming from a guitar!!!
I was stunned as I’d never heard anything like Rowland S. Howard before. I was mesmerized and transfixed at this otherworldly sound, and I wasn’t the only one. We wouldn’t be the same after that night!
Remember that life existed before the internet. To be stylish, you had to do certain things like order your monkey boots and Doc Martens via mail order. Imported records were even more difficult, and $$$$. I didn’t have an allowance but would window shop and peek through the glass at Vinyl Fetish on Melrose.
In between now and then, I got old. I’m so grateful to have made it this far! I’m not as old as some but am older than most.
We’re over a couple of YEARS into the pandemic endemic of COVID-19. When going through hell, keep going?
I’ve had some time on my hands here and there. What better way to stay safe than remain at home and work on this site?
I wonder what Rowland’s take would be on 2020 and beyond?
So a few years ago now, the title track from his Pop Crimes album (criminally underrated, like all of his works) came on, and the bass line haunted me all over again.
I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since then. I’ve tried, haha, but it’s ok. I picked up my bass with renewed enthusiasm and printed out the tabs for Pop Crimes! I’ve been stumbling along with it ever since but am getting so much better.
The intangible thrall of that surge of inspiration through you is exhilarating. Thanks for being an inspiration, Rowland, and I hope your music is listened to, forever.
Rewatching the documentary about him further renewed my interest in developing this site. If you haven’t seen it, then what are you waiting for?!
Autoluminescent is now playing on Amazon Prime and VIMEO.
Contact me for credit or removal. I only have the best intentions for this site, so please let me know if there’s something on here that shouldn’t be. Or maybe if there’s something else that I’ve missed, which is a ton of stuff.