LIFE OF AN ARTIST: LJ HOWARD

PHOTO BY ARRON GENT

Favourite band bonding moment…

A couple years back now, we did a gig in Scotland and found ourselves knee deep in mud. I was wearing my fresh white trainers, as you do...I was performing! Bonding moment; more like ‘hold me up, this won't end well’ moment.  Great fun and memories. 

Thing you’re most proud of…

I'm very proud of the way life has panned out for me, my family and friends, but most importantly my wife and two boys. They are my support system.

Thing you regret most…

I don't really regret anything, everything is part of life and our individual progress. Most importantly, what I've learnt, is to tap into those emotions when writing and creating music.

Time you’ve been most scared/nervous…

I think my memory has tried to block that from my thoughts. Think little bars stools and tables dotted about, a handful of punters and nobody was allowed to stand because they were filming the gig, apparently.

Worst gig…

Worst gig? More of a learning curve. Note to self - be more selective in venue choices!

Best gig…

I've got quite a few but my most recent gig at Chinnerys was a Jack Daniels sponsored event. I feel this is when I put my name on the map as a local singer/songwriter and the support following that gig has been amazing.

Ever felt like giving up? What keeps you strong & motivated?

Yes I have felt like giving up. I think it's safety mechanism - when you think to yourself “I can't do any more to further my music career”,  so you step back to rethink the plan. This is the moment you need people around you, to either push you on or give you those words of wisdom -  to gather up that negativity and throw it aside.

What’s a typical work day in the band?

A typical day for me would be - out the door early to my 9-5, get home, spend some time with the family before their bedtime then head to studio at 9pm till about 3am. Get back home, have some sleep, do it all again. Sleep, eat, make music, repeat!

What’s your second dream job other than mega stardom?

Definitely love the idea of being a pilot. Always loved the idea of seeing the world, but to be able to fly myself there and get paid to do it - sign me up!

Artist you’d most like to work with in the world - dead or alive…

Artists I'd love to or would've loved to have worked with: Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, John Legend, Adele, Bruno Mars, Pharrell Williams, Rag n Bone Man, Ed Sheeran… If I don't stop now, I'll just keep going!

The first music that made you think ’I want to do this’…

First music that blew my mind, I was a young boy, my mum had a plastic case with 6 cassettes of Nat King Cole..... his voice, his emotion and on repeat everyday, why wouldn't I love it or grow to admire this artist and his beautiful tones. 

Tell us something we don’t know about you…

I played basketball in the US and studied American History. True story. 

If you had to have a band mantra what would it be?

Breathe in and Let's Go!! 

How would you explain the ultimate height of performing to someone who’s not experienced it?

It's a high - an energy, an emotion. Imagine being hyped and overwhelmed all at the same time, that's how it feels on stage. Then take those feelings and multiply them by 100 and you won't be close to the feeling, but you can somehow get the idea. 

If you could bottle just one energy/emotion for the world what would it be?

Love. It conquers all but it's something that's missing in so many of our thoughts on a daily basis. If you can't say it with love, do you need to say it? 

If you could change just one thing in the country right now what would it be?

Perspective of how we see each other. We are all the same. When all is said and done we leave this earth the same as when we arrived, with our souls  - and that energy can never die, it just changes shape. That's what makes you and me....US. 

What advice would you have for young folk picking up their first instruments/writing their first songs/performing their first gigs?

My advice to young performers or musicians is write down all your ideas, capture each and every moment, don't be afraid to show who YOU are, that is YOUR power. Enjoy being creative, be fresh and new and, above all, have fun doing it.

What do you like about Village Green? 

Village Green has always been something I wanted to a part of as an artist, it's all about the community coming together as a force celebrating what everyone loves: music and having a laugh.  Village Green has gone from strength to strength and this is why it has a such a great reputation for supporting local up and coming talent! Honoured to be a part of it this year! Thank You.

What’s next? 

Keep pushing forward, writing and performing. Most importantly, enjoying the journey wherever it may lead me.