Almost A Dirty Dozen with BENJAMIN HOWELLS from HOWELLS – May 2026

Photo credit: Heather Adam

According to a recent press release: “Calgary’s Howells haven’t just released a new EP—they’ve built a fully realized visual and sonic world. Out now, Fade Into Being (Part 1) marks the first half of an ambitious two-part release that blends heavy alternative music with a cohesive visual narrative rooted in transformation, decay, and rebirth. Anchored by a stark recurring image—a white-tailed deer’s head captured across stages of decay on a 1984 Minolta X-700—the project treats each song and visual as part of a larger, evolving story. The EP arrives alongside the video for “Overflow,” a standout collaboration with fellow Alberta emo outfit Astrology Girl.” We get band namesake Benjamin to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Yes there are a few. In “8 Fold Fence” there is a short sample RIGHT before the breakdown from a 2024 TV show based on Tokugawa Ieyasu. The line is from a scene that heavily influenced what I wrote the song about. This song was actually called “Skull Knight” originally because the lines screamed in the bridge were inspired by the protagonist of a famous dark fantasy manga *hint hint*.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I spent every Sunday sitting beside my dad on the bench behind a massive pipe organ and choir. He was the music director at a gothic cathedral and also played in bands so I couldn’t escape it. Though I tried… Music became part of my DNA and I’ve been playing as long as I could sit up at the piano. I spent a lot of time with my dad and when I wasn’t listening to the baroque and classical greats in church I was listening to the hits of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s in his car. It was until I saw Avenged Sevenfold’s ALL ACCESS that I knew I wanted to be in a band though. I was maybe 13 at the time.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Early big ones are MCR, Billy Talent, Alexisonfire, and A7X. Lots of the 2000’s post hardcore and metalcore greats. I was also heavily inspired by Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard as well as The Beatles’ Abbey Road. Later down the line my mind was blown by The 1975 which is still the best live band I’ve ever seen like it or not.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Probably Gerard Way. I admire not just his songwriting legacy but his ability to build an aesthetic world around the music which is something I’m prioritizing now more than ever before. Matt Healy would be close behind though. He’s one of the best lyricists in the game.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I love film photography. I struggle to turn my brain off. I’m always planning and scheming and pondering in my castle so only having 24 or 36 exposures you can take forces me to be completely present when lining up a shot. It’s one of the few things that does that for me other than music and how we got the photos that make up the album and song covers. If I really want to relax, there’s nothing better than sitting in the courtyard with a companion and listening to the birds… though it feels I hardly have time for these things anymore.

6. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I fear it is me all over 💀. Dylan is sober, and Edison and Kwesi are as close to sober as you can get. I’ve never had any of them cook for me but if I had to choose I’d choose Kwesi. That dude delights in a good meal.

7. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I saw Billy Corgan at Disneyland in the line for the stupid Peter Pan ride and I was shook.

8. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Best part is all the money and job stability. I almost said the best part is the people, which is partly true, but equally the worst part can be the people. It’s a crazy industry full of amazing and also terrible people. Dream job? I’ve only ever had 1. When I grow up I want to be Dracula.

9. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted someone to ask me what Japanese composer most inspired me growing up. Nobuo Uematsu. I hate general questions like “tell me about the album” or “tell me about this song”. It’s boring and doesn’t let you dig into anything without being self indulgent 🥀

10. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I’ve got a few regrets. There’s a song I recorded about it years ago haha. The music industry has changed so much so fast. I thought I had to write a whole album before releasing anything when I was younger. If I could go back in time, I’d have prioritized recording and releasing my music as well as finding a good mix engineer who better saw the vision of what I was trying to build. You can do a lot of damage with 1 great song if you are willing to actually try getting it out there. Having a good team around you makes all the difference. Hindsight is always 20-20.

11. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

It would have to be The 1975’s sophomore album. Your 2nd album is usually what determines if you are going to flourish or flop and there’s a reason they became international stars after its release. They worked with one of the best producers alive, Mike Crossey (Twenty One Pilots, Walk the Moon, LANY, LAUV, Foals, Keane, Jake Bugg, The Gaslight Anthem, Wolf Alice, Nothing But Thieves, Yungblud). That record really affirmed to me that I wanted to be an artist and that could mean more than just music. You can build an entire world and ethos and language around your music. Music is just one piece of the puzzle. Despite it being more pop leaning than most of my influences, I learned a ton from that record.

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Category: Interviews