Biography
Although visually reminiscent of a bluegrass ensemble and occasionally drawing on its rhythmic and stylistic flourishes, the Howlin' Brothers—unrelated by birth—operate squarely as an Americana string band reimagined for the twenty-first century. Their sound weaves in rock, pop, gospel, jazz, R&B, Dixieland, and country blues alongside scattered nods to vintage Appalachian string-band traditions. The trio first assembled at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, during 2003; Ben Plasse handles upright bass and banjo, Ian Craft plays fiddle, mandolin, and banjo, and Jared Green contributes guitar and harmonica, with all three trading lead vocals and harmonies. They quickly built a lively, dance-oriented stage presence that earned them a loyal local audience before shifting operations to Nashville in 2005. Between 2007 and 2012 the group issued four independent projects—Mountain Songs, Long Hard Year, Baker St. Blues, and the live anthology Old Time All the Time—selling them directly at performances. A mutual acquaintance then introduced them to Brendan Benson, who produced their major-label debut, Howl, issued on his Readymade Records imprint in 2013; the album featured appearances by Jypsi and Warren Haynes. Benson returned to helm the follow-up, Trouble, in 2014.
Albums