Biography
Danny Howells stands out as an exceptionally adaptable DJ whose reputation for studio productions equals his acclaim behind the decks. Through seven albums he demonstrates mastery as a mixer, earns parallel recognition for his remixes, and develops original material as a producer via the aliases Squelch and Science Deptartment, thereby leaving a personal imprint on the contemporary dance landscape.
Raised in the modest coastal resort of Hastings on England’s southern shore, he marked the close of the 1980s by staging his debut event in tribute to his idol Prince. An enthusiastic collector of records, once he began operating the turntables he committed fully and soon performed consistently at nearby venues.
Late in 1991 a friend passed one of Howells’ mix tapes to Bedrock founder John Digweed, who promptly recruited the newcomer for his events; Howells first traveled with the crew to Brighton, later northward to the suburban setting of Seven Oaks, and finally, toward the end of the decade, into London where Bedrock established itself at Heaven.
At the same time he began exploring original productions and connected with Tim Cross, a seasoned electronics specialist also based in Hastings. From Cross’s home studio the pair issued the abstract, experimental techno cut “Darkhappy” in 1995 under the Squelch name, followed by the funk-inflected, hip-hop-tinged “Calmdown” and the subsequent “Schmelch.” These releases drew the notice of the Jackpot label, which signed them; Squelch’s final outing, the propulsive 1997 single “Crash,” registered immediately as a club favorite. Shortly afterward Howells and Cross experienced a rift; although they restored their personal ties, their professional partnership concluded.
Even so, 1997 proved fruitful: after Jackpot acquired the historic Guerilla catalog, the label assigned the material to Howells, resulting in the Jackpot Presents Guerilla mix album. The same imprint granted him his initial remix assignment, pairing him with Rob Green on React to Rhythm’s “Intoxication.” A headline tour ensued, exposing him to fresh listeners and, particularly in the Netherlands, a devoted following that led to a 1998 contract with ID&T and the completion of his first compilation, Nightlife Report, Vol. 2.
Entering the new millennium, Howells’ productions appeared widely, encompassing joint remixes with Green as well as solo efforts such as Robbie Williams’ “South of the Border,” Slide’s “Confusional State,” Astrax’s “Kafka,” and his own preferred BT track “Dreaming.” In 1999 he assembled Danny Howells Presents UG for the UG label and, for the inaugural volume of his Nocturnal Frequencies series, exercised full selection control. He also began working with Dick Trevor, first on remixes that yielded the notable success Moca/Morales’ “Higher,” then on original material released under the Science Department banner; their 1999 double A-sided debut “Repercussion”/“Persuasion” earned strong praise from both critics and dancers.
Howells’ adventurous yet understated approach—trance-infused yet rhythmically buoyant, blending vintage and contemporary elements enriched by loops and samples—continued to attract attention, positioning him as an international figure with residencies at Renaissance in Nottingham, Ministry of Sound in London, Cream in Liverpool, Lush in Ireland, and Bedrock, alongside regular appearances in the Netherlands. Readers of DJ Mag placed him in the Top Ten of their 2000 poll.
That year also saw the release of Nocturnal Frequencies 2. While maintaining remix and Science Department commitments, he elected to exit Bedrock in order to seek fresh surroundings and greater autonomy after viewing the club as a form of security blanket, and he likewise stepped away from Ministry of Sound, though he soon accepted a residency at New York’s Twilo. Science Department completed the track “Breathe,” which appeared on the subsequent Global Underground release Danny Howells -- Nu Breed.
Raised in the modest coastal resort of Hastings on England’s southern shore, he marked the close of the 1980s by staging his debut event in tribute to his idol Prince. An enthusiastic collector of records, once he began operating the turntables he committed fully and soon performed consistently at nearby venues.
Late in 1991 a friend passed one of Howells’ mix tapes to Bedrock founder John Digweed, who promptly recruited the newcomer for his events; Howells first traveled with the crew to Brighton, later northward to the suburban setting of Seven Oaks, and finally, toward the end of the decade, into London where Bedrock established itself at Heaven.
At the same time he began exploring original productions and connected with Tim Cross, a seasoned electronics specialist also based in Hastings. From Cross’s home studio the pair issued the abstract, experimental techno cut “Darkhappy” in 1995 under the Squelch name, followed by the funk-inflected, hip-hop-tinged “Calmdown” and the subsequent “Schmelch.” These releases drew the notice of the Jackpot label, which signed them; Squelch’s final outing, the propulsive 1997 single “Crash,” registered immediately as a club favorite. Shortly afterward Howells and Cross experienced a rift; although they restored their personal ties, their professional partnership concluded.
Even so, 1997 proved fruitful: after Jackpot acquired the historic Guerilla catalog, the label assigned the material to Howells, resulting in the Jackpot Presents Guerilla mix album. The same imprint granted him his initial remix assignment, pairing him with Rob Green on React to Rhythm’s “Intoxication.” A headline tour ensued, exposing him to fresh listeners and, particularly in the Netherlands, a devoted following that led to a 1998 contract with ID&T and the completion of his first compilation, Nightlife Report, Vol. 2.
Entering the new millennium, Howells’ productions appeared widely, encompassing joint remixes with Green as well as solo efforts such as Robbie Williams’ “South of the Border,” Slide’s “Confusional State,” Astrax’s “Kafka,” and his own preferred BT track “Dreaming.” In 1999 he assembled Danny Howells Presents UG for the UG label and, for the inaugural volume of his Nocturnal Frequencies series, exercised full selection control. He also began working with Dick Trevor, first on remixes that yielded the notable success Moca/Morales’ “Higher,” then on original material released under the Science Department banner; their 1999 double A-sided debut “Repercussion”/“Persuasion” earned strong praise from both critics and dancers.
Howells’ adventurous yet understated approach—trance-infused yet rhythmically buoyant, blending vintage and contemporary elements enriched by loops and samples—continued to attract attention, positioning him as an international figure with residencies at Renaissance in Nottingham, Ministry of Sound in London, Cream in Liverpool, Lush in Ireland, and Bedrock, alongside regular appearances in the Netherlands. Readers of DJ Mag placed him in the Top Ten of their 2000 poll.
That year also saw the release of Nocturnal Frequencies 2. While maintaining remix and Science Department commitments, he elected to exit Bedrock in order to seek fresh surroundings and greater autonomy after viewing the club as a form of security blanket, and he likewise stepped away from Ministry of Sound, though he soon accepted a residency at New York’s Twilo. Science Department completed the track “Breathe,” which appeared on the subsequent Global Underground release Danny Howells -- Nu Breed.
Albums
Throb
2025
Danny Howells presents JamLoops Vol. 2
2013
JamLoops Vol. 1 EP
2013
Phono Corono
2004
Dusk Till Dawn
2004
Kinkyfunk
2002
Singles
