UTG INTERVIEW: Howling Bells Frontwoman Talks New Record, Women in Music

June 16th, 2014

Matthew Leimkuehler

Howling Bells is a fiery and fierce female-fronted global rock ‘n’ roll band. The Sydney natives who now call London and Berlin home dropped their fourth LP release, Heartstrings, earlier this month. The record is dynamic and gripping. Songs like “Paris,” and “Slowburn” explode with depth and emotion, while tracks like the title number “Heartstrings” are transparently emotional and effectively eerie. It’s as though frontwoman Juanita Stein has tapped into a previously un-prescribed sonic universe — exploring avenues of rock songwriting far and wide.

Under The Gun Review had the pleasure of talking with Juanita about the new record, feminism in music and what the band has planned for the rest of the year. Click the “Read More” button to read the excluisve interview and to stream the band’s explosive lo-fi rock single, “Slowburn.”

Hi! Thanks for joining us today. The new record, Heartstrings, was released earlier this month. How does it feel to have it out?

Juanita Stein: It’s super! The record came out on the 2nd and since then we’ve done a couple in-stores. It’s nice to see the reaction. It’s very rewarding.

That’s great. So how do you think this record differs from what you’ve done with previous releases?

JS: I think the creation process was a lot quicker than any other record we’ve ever made. We found ourselves with less time to contemplate. That’s definitely the biggest difference. We recorded it in London, which is the first time we had done so. All of those elements shaped the sound of the record.

So you did the entire record in 11 days, correct?

JS: Yeah.

Was this intentional or is that just how it fell into place?

JS: [It was] us getting the studio whenever we could, and that happened to be those 11 days. It was a matter of circumstance.

Did those circumstances add any pressure? 11 days is pretty quick.

JS: Oh, God, yeah, yeah. It was a lot of things. It was not only a very brief recording session, but it was a follow-up to three records we had made…the last one we had released three years or so before. There was a pretty immense pressure to get it done, but we felt pretty damn confident in the songs.

With this record, you worked with Catherine Marks (PJ Harvey, Foals) and Alan Moudler (The Killers, My Bloody Valentine). What was this experience like?

JS: It was amazing. We worked predominately with Catherine and then every day Alan would come in and listen back to what we had done. You know, just watching the way people work and taking every shred of advice they handed out. They were so sure of their decisions that it helped push along the process greatly. Their presence brought a lot of confidence.

Were there any traits in particular you picked up when working with them?

JS: I mean, yeah, you never ever stop learning. On this particular recording the reoccurring theme was definitely fearlessness. That’s something that as a musician I avoided on the last record in particular and working with Catherine was pretty spectacular. There was definitely a lot of fearlessness on the record. Unfortunately it’s the first time I’ve ever worked with a woman. And I say unfortunately because it’s a shame that it’s so unbalanced. But it definitely influenced the music and influenced the recording because she had a certain kind of energy.

I feel as though, at least in America, a hot-button topic has been the presence of women in rock ‘n’ roll music. Why do you think this imbalance is present?

JS: I think with anything it’s a confidence issue. I think there are probably masses of women who are equally as talented, equally as important, equally as gifted as any man producing and recording music today. I think it’s a confidence issue and you have to have a certain kind of character to move forward in an industry that is completely dominated by men. On the industry side, it’s still very much dominated by men.

What do you think it takes for the momentum to change with women in the industry?

JS: We need examples. We need success stories and examples of women who are leading. Catherine is a really fantastic example of that because there aren’t many female rock producers in the industry and if she’s consistently creating great work, and she is, then that’s what’s gonna do it. Multiples of women universally creating brilliant work. That’s what’s gonna do it.

Is that what it would take on the live performance side of the industry?

JS: Yeah. I don’t think it’s musically specific, I think it’s universally specific. I really do think it’s a confidence issue. I think women need the confidence to stand up and express what it is they’re probably dying to express. There’s a long way to go, but it’s definitely happening. I think the pop world is dominated by women but the rock world has a long way to go.

You had your first child between your last release and Heartstrings. Has motherhood changed the way Howling Bells works?

JS: Yes! Definitely. It’s such a momentous experience. As profound and cliche as it is, you do reevaluate your priorities. I think in a way, the fact that I didn’t feel as tortured as I did in the past by the musical process helped.

What else can we expect from the band this year?

JS: Touring. It’s just about getting the record out there to as many corners of the world as we possibility can. Right now it’s England and then it’s Australia in September and then we’re really really concentrating on trying to get to the U.S. because we’ve never explored that before autonomously, without supporting another band.

Well we will welcome you with open arms. Thanks for your time today.

JS: That’s great! It’s been really good talking to you, thank you. Cheers!

Interview written and conducted by Matthew Leimkuehler (@callinghomematt)
Stay up to date with Howling Bells by connecting with the band on Facebook / Twitter, and pick up a copy of ‘Heartstrings’ today.