An Introduction to Howie Payne

Most people will not have heard the name Howie Payne.

It is a name that deserves far greater recognition than he has received throughout his recording career. Payne first came to the public’s attention as the lead singer and songwriter of the band The Stands who emerged in the early noughties as part of the wave of talent from Liverpool that also included The Zutons and The Coral.

The Stands released their debut album ‘All Things Leaving’ in 2004 and the record was acclaimed for its collection of sixties inspired acoustic and psychedelic melodies. This was followed by ‘Horse Fabulous’ in 2005, a more ambitious offering that more broadly showcased the band’s abilities and influences, before the group parted ways later that year.

Payne then launched into a solo career and his first record, the Ethan Johns produced ‘Bright Light Ballads’, was a collection of brooding and gentle ballads with his soft vocals perfectly complimenting the more melodic and country inspired sounds he had developed.

Intermittent live shows and demos followed before follow up record ‘Mountain’ was released in 2017. This new record saw Payne’s sound mature whilst maintaining his trademark melodic songwriting.  

As Payne prepares to release new EP, ‘In Dreams’, this May, it feels high time to celebrate a great (and sadly under-appreciated artist) and his back catalogue! So if you’ve never heard of Howie Payne you could do far worse than listen to the songs below to get a feel for why I believe he is the most under-appreciated singer songwriter in the UK (you can find a link to the Spotify playlist at the bottom of the post). 

The Stands – Outside Your Door – One of the best songs from debut album ‘All Year’s Leaving’, this rollicking sub 3 minute number builds to fantastic choruses with a Coral-esque guitar solo thrown in for good measure.

Howie Payne – Dangling Threads – One of the prettiest songs Payne has ever written and the opener of the ‘Bright Light Ballads’ LP, the track centres around a dangling acoustic riff and hushed vocals which create a daydreamy atmosphere.

The Stands – Just Enough Love – One of the best examples of the Stands’ catchy sixties inspired melodies, this track, powered along by a piano led melody and sophisticated saxophone solo, will stay in your head for days.

The Stands – When This River Rolls Over You – Bob Dylan’s influence on Payne is clear and never more so lyrically than on this track as Payne warns “all your precious stones they won’t help keep you afloat, don’t say you ain’t being told when this river rolls over you”.

The Stands – I will Journey Home – Perhaps the most beautiful song Payne has written, this lush ballad tells of a lover’s return and the soft vocals create a serenely beautiful atmosphere.

Howie Payne – The Brightest Star – This single from the Mountain LP, is a jaunty love song driven along by delicate piano backing.

The Stands – When the Night Falls In – “When the night falls in, girls get dressed up fine and weave their charms amongst the boys as they are passing by” sings Payne on this track which comes from the perspective of the singer watching the night unfold around him from his lonely room.

The Stands – All Year’s Leaving (Acoustic) – This song contains one of Payne’s finest lyrics as he sings “You were born in the light of the first rays of Summer, kissed by the breath of the last days of Spring” over a beautifully delicate melody.

Howie Payne – Quick as the Moon – This ballad opened the Mountain LP and demonstrates Payne’s maturing sound as the brooding verses evolve in to a melodic chorus.

The Stands – I Need You – This upbeat Byrds inspired love song from ‘All Years Leaving’ finds Payne appealing to a lover that “no one needs a woman like I need you”.

Howie Payne – Evangeline (Los Angeles) – The closing track from the ‘Mountain’ LP, this understated ballad owes an instrumental debt to the Velvet Underground but the beautiful hushed vocals are all Payne’s.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0NAQwa8sUJFOJwymdUhjWY?si=ruSN25n8S5ujLSxuScGmww