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Upon waking up, Brittany Howard plans out her persona for the day, choosing her attire and music accordingly. Today, she envisions herself as a “teacher living on the French Riviera”, sporting white trousers, a white top, and a blue work shirt with a hat that reads “Women Love Me, Fish Fear Me”, while cuddling her newly neutered puppy, Wilma. In the past, she has embodied a country music-loving fan of Luke Bryan, complete with camo Crocs and singing along to his song “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day”.
It is surprising to hear this talented singer adapt her voice to lyrics written by a country artist known for silly songs. However, Howard – the lead singer of the Alabama Shakes, a highly acclaimed band with 25 Grammy nominations and nine wins, and who has performed with icons like Paul McCartney and Elton John – is not easily defined. She is also skilled at fishing (and enjoying life, at least on some days). At one point, she even had a Twitter account where she reviewed hotel bathtubs, using humorous categories like “loneliness” and “drownability.” She explains that her ability to take on different personas is part of her “inner-child work,” a technique used by therapists to overcome lingering behaviors caused by past trauma.
Howard only deviates from this routine when she is creating music. The songs themselves are the driving force: they allow her to delve into self-discovery, break down and examine patterns, and express love and happiness in a world filled with suffering. Her second solo album, What Now, was recorded at the Sound Emporium in Nashville, with additional contributions recorded at RCA Studio B.
The title seems to have a dual interpretation. In the midst of the pandemic and political turmoil, it’s common to exclaim “What now?” However, it also hints at the unpredictable nature of the album. It seamlessly blends various genres such as crystal sound bowls, rock’n’roll, acid funk, house music, Memphis soul, and free jazz trumpet. The question remains: what will happen next? What surprises lie ahead?
Since her early days fronting the soulful quartet Alabama Shakes, Howard has been restlessly creative. The band’s sound is guitar- and groove-driven, fresh yet nostalgic. With the release of their 2012 debut, Boys & Girls, Howard went from bagging groceries and delivering mail to playing their hit single Hold On at the Grammys, opening for Jack White and jamming with Prince.
Howard admits that she was not ready for the life she ended up living. She had never been wealthy and lacked opportunities. She also felt that no one cared about her publicly. As a result of her busy touring schedule, she became disconnected from her home and felt very isolated. When it was time to release a new album, the constant stress and non-stop touring had taken a toll on her mental health, leaving her in a state of severe depression.
She found herself in her basement, composing what would eventually become the band’s outstanding, award-winning second album, Sound & Color, released in 2015. It could potentially be their final album, although Howard clarifies that the band is not necessarily disbanding. Next came Jaime, named after her older sister who passed away at 13 from retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eye. Unlike most solo projects, it did not feel like a temporary distraction – it was a moment of enlightenment, a release of potential. She transcended being just a rock star; she became something more. Patterson Hood, lead singer of the Drive-By Truckers (for whom the Shakes opened before securing a record deal), describes her as “one of the most exceptional artists of our generation.”
“I have gained a lot of life experience between this project and the previous one,” Howard shares as he pets Wilma, who is wearing a post-surgery lampshade-style guard on her head. “So many things have occurred and I’ve grown a lot. I’ve also become more calm and level-headed in a positive way. I’m beginning to have a clearer vision of what I want for the future. We won’t delve into existentialism, but it’s difficult not to think about it.”
It can be challenging to avoid existential thoughts when conversing with Howard. Howard, who is now 35 years old, was born in Athens, Alabama. Growing up as a mixed race and queer individual, as well as being significantly taller than her female peers, made it nearly impossible for her to fit in at school. She hesitates to label her upbringing as impoverished, preferring to describe it as “resourceful.” She recalls, “I owned Tommy Hilfiger clothing that I purchased from a van, and we always had food. However, there were also times when we lacked hot water and the electricity was shut off.”
She acquired the skill of playing music on her sister’s guitar and absorbed any albums she could access, including Pink Floyd, Prince, and Elvis. “Being raised the way we were, everything feels like a miracle,” she expresses.
After the passing of Jaime, the family began to unravel. Her parents divorced and she no longer held onto organized religion. She lost her faith and no longer believed in the idea of a higher power controlling our lives. “I do believe that there is more to life than what we can physically see, but I don’t believe in the notion of Jesus and God as white figures living in the sky who judge us,” she explains. “But for those who do believe in that, I won’t stop them from enjoying it.” As she grew older, she realized that people were capable of much more than just judgment, especially in the southern United States. One of her songs on the album Jaime, called “Goat Head”, shares the story of someone vandalizing her Black father’s car and leaving a goat’s head in the back seat.
“I feel conflicted about being in the south, because it’s a part of my identity and my family has a long history here before it was even officially recognized. But just because of my race, background, or sexuality, some may not see this as my home. However, I believe it is just as much mine as it is for the traditional, privileged group. So how do we navigate and find unity? I’m not sure, but that theme is present throughout this album.” The feeling of finding solace amidst the discomfort is prevalent in What Now.
During the pandemic, Howard wrote most of the album, which she refers to as a “dark gift” due to her usual lifestyle of traveling. In 2019, she married musician Jesse Lafser and relocated to New Mexico, but they ended up getting divorced. However, she found love once again and the first track of the album, “Earth Sign,” was written as a mystical prayer to attract a soulmate – and it was successful. The details of this relationship are kept private by Howard.
During a time of global suffering, she found herself feeling happier than she had in a while – possibly the happiest she had ever been. She reflects on the lyrics of her song “Another Day”, which addresses the conflicting messages of hiding and fearing one’s neighbor while also falling in love. Despite the destruction, fear, and chaos, she manages to maintain a sense of inner peace.
Howard lives a calm and serene life in Nashville, where she resides with her beloved pets and enjoys leisurely strolls in the nearby park. Following our conversation, she will depart in her sturdy truck, equipped for fishing, and have a meal with friends in the city. She values the simplicity of her life and has no desire for much, except for a 1988 Dodge Plymouth – her very first car that was passed down from her great-aunt. “I believe my only purpose in life is to explore my own creativity,” Howard states. During a recent meal with renowned songwriter Joni Mitchell, the two bonded over their love for animals and art, rather than music. “She was incredibly kind,” Howard recalls. “And she seemed just as uncomfortable as I did, not used to the extravagance that is often bestowed upon us. I truly admire her for being genuine and staying true to her own path. I aspire to do the same – to be unique.”
Even though she desires a more countryside lifestyle, she enjoys being in this area, surrounded by artistic individuals and her “queer mafia” group, which includes musician Becca Mancari. Mancari is a featured performer on the What Now tour and had Howard as a guest on their 2023 record, Left Hand; Howard affectionately calls them “my little big brother”.
Mancari, who was briefly part of a side project called Bermuda Triangle with Howard and Lafser, expresses that there is a mutual understanding, both spoken and unspoken, of what it means to be two queer musicians of color in the southern region. The music they create together and individually holds great significance. Knowing and having a strong connection with Brittany feels like experiencing something unfamiliar yet extraordinary. It’s also like being in the presence of someone genuine and authentic. Witnessing Brittany create music from a simple cardboard box in her living room gives a sense of limitless possibilities and defies any rules.
On What Now, which was co-produced by Howard and her longtime collaborator Shawn Everett, they used unconventional instruments such as cardboard boxes, forks, and an empty water jug. The jazz drummer Nate Smith provided percussion. Howard and Everett utilized questionable techniques during the recording process that may go against traditional music school rules, but ultimately added texture to the album. Smith even used a bin as an instrument, much to Howard’s delight. The lyrics and music on the album evoke different emotions, creating an unpredictable journey through human feelings.
Red Flags evaluates her responsibility for a failed relationship, while Prove It to You is a romantic tune with industrial influences. What Now simply poses questions about partnerships, death, and the harshness of the world. Howard shares that she is someone who seeks therapy and reflects on herself, recognizing patterns and questioning why they continue to occur. She was not willing to continue repeating the same mistakes and patterns, which she has been doing since her 20s. She is now breaking out of this cycle.
Her self-awareness of her imperfections is evident in her singing style, as she states, “At times in this album, I don’t edit my vocals. It’s not flawless. It’s unconventional at times. Occasionally it may be slightly off-pitch or have a lisp. But that’s just who I am, and you can accept it or not.”
The final line of the album, sung by Howard, is: “I cannot believe I have exhausted all rainbows,” followed by the sound of a trumpet. It is an open-ended conclusion that is fitting for a world that does not offer a clear path through chaos; we must create our own. “That’s how chaos arises,” Howard explains. “It comes suddenly and makes us uncomfortable. That was the main point – that all of these things can coexist. There is no tidy resolution and this album is not perfect. It is titled What Now … because there will always be challenges. Who knows what will come next? Those are the moments to keep playing.”
The album “What Now” will be available on February 2nd through Island Records.
Source: theguardian.com
