"This Is Only The Beginning”: THE HOWLING’s Mikey Lord On The Sangui-Tour, Music Videos, And New EP "Salvo"

The Howling's Mikey Lord [photo: Lucy Cheyne]

For a band less than a year into their public journey, THE HOWLING have already made waves. Their year kicked off supporting vamp rockers Creeper on their Sangui-Tour across the UK and Europe, and this summer sees them making their Download debut on the Courtyard Stage.

There is an appropriate level of gothicness and theatricality here, as expected with a band that shares their name with an 80s horror flick. For vocalist and frontman Mikey Lord, it's this theatrical nature that seeps through the whole project.

R: Hi Mikey! Thanks for taking the time to chat. First of all - a massive congratulations on the Sangui-Tour with Creeper. What was it like being a part of it?

M: It was an incredible tour! Really grateful for every moment of it. Creeper are a sensational band and they are sensational people off the stage too; I think their fanbase reflects that. A delightful tribe of people who made us feel welcome at every show.

"I'm a big believer in the music video...it's such a cool way to give people more to explore"

Of course, perfect timing as well with the release of your debut EP 'Salvo'. How has it been working towards this?

It's been really full-on - but I love that. I'm a very obsessive person and I love the prep-period for a release, putting things together and fiddling with things. It's also been such a wild response so far - the support that people are already showing this band is properly mind-blowing and we're so so grateful for it. 

[photo: Lucy Cheyne]

It's not even been a year since your debut single "Little Promises". How have you developed as a band with each single?

I feel like we're pulling back the curtain more and more with each release, finding out for ourselves at the same time as everyone else what THE HOWLING is and what it can be. 

For anyone unfamiliar with The Howling, how would you describe your sound and style? 

Theatrical rock with lots of left turns, leather and good shirts. 

"I hope people find something in it that they connect with for themselves"

One thing I really like is the strong visual style of your music videos, right down to the font choice on the thumbnails. What's the creative process behind these videos?

Thank you! We always want to make something that feels special and compliments the song, which is ultimately what we're all here for. I'm a big believer in the music video. I think a lot of artists get caught up in the content-frenzy and the music video gets neglected these days, but it's such a cool way to make more art and give people more to explore. Getting to work with Harry Steel and Murry Deaves on the videos so far has been a gift, they're very talented people and they've really helped us to shape and realise the vision of this project. 

[photo: Lucy Cheyne]

Going back to the Sangui-Tour, you included a cover of Like a Prayer in your set, which I think perfectly captured everything you guys are about. Are there any other songs you'd love to cover and give The Howling treatment to? 

Thank you! I think 'If I Could Turn Back Time' by Cher would go OFF.

Lastly, what are you most wanting audiences to take away from Salvo? 

I never want to explain a song or point at any messaging really, because it's important to me that people have their own relationship with art and I don't want to colour that - but I will say that I hope people find something in it that they connect with for themselves. I'm really proud of this EP, but this is only the beginning for THE HOWLING.

"Salvo" is out NOW on streaming platforms

The Howling are performing on the Courtyard Stage at Download Festival Wednesday 10th June