With 13 solo releases under his belt, this Stirling-based musician has plenty to look back on, especially if you add the further 12 as the John Peel-playlisted Calamateur.
That was a while ago of course but here he draws on his life experiences, from the schooldays tragedy of intense opener ‘A Follower A Fighter’, all the way to the poignant ‘Echoes’, set in a Macmillan palliative care ward.
Not always deadly serious, the subject matter is delivered with humour and pathos, as well as power – unusually, Howie is backed by a full band including Deacon Blue’s Lewis Gordon, but one which allows Howie’s stellar songwriting to shine through.
‘Pale White Branches’ is out now. This article originally appeared in the Sunderland Echo.