Interview with Tanner Howe
Tanner Howe is a versatile singer, songwriter, and performer. With his pop sensibility he can win over any crowd. Tanner recently made headlines for his 3 chair turn performance on NBC’s “The Voice” Season 22. He is currently working on a new Acoustic Pop Record in the vein of Lewis Capaldi and Shawn Mendes. Tanner has garnered over a hundred thousand streams across music platforms and over a million views on his YouTube channel. He has played various venues such as The House of Blues, the Mint, Molly Malone's, and Universal City Walk. Tanner Howe currently has a residency at the Disneyland Resort performing as a duo and as a full band. After his work on the Voice, fans new and old are very eager for his next music project.
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
My Dad was the principal influence that got me into music. My dad sings, plays guitar, and even writes songs. He taught my siblings and I how to sing and eventually we formed a family band playing music for our school, church services and local events. I’ve always needed a creative outlet and Music was a great space for that. Outside of music I love to draw and work with video so if I hadn’t gotten into music I think I would have pursued something in the design arena.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
I love watching movies and TV and I find a lot of inspiration in those stories and characters when I’m songwriting. Also, one thing I’ve noticed over the years of songwriting is that nothing beats personal experience. So putting yourself out there in the world and building relationships is personally vital to creating great art in my opinion.
How long has music been your career?
I really started to take my music career seriously after attending The Musician’s Institute in Hollywood California in 2016. Although, It was only around 3 years ago that I felt I was getting booked enough that I could quit my day job as a waiter and I haven’t looked back since.
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
I was born and raised in southern California and I think that influenced the music I make because it is such a melting pot of different genres. If you take a look at my discography right now, you’ll find so many different styles of music. I try to keep it all in the pop genre but you find hints of Hip Hop, Edm, Rock, Funk, Country and RnB sprinkled throughout my different songs.
Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.
The best show I’ve ever played is hands down a show I played to a huge crowd at Universal City Walk. There was an adrenaline I experienced at that show that I had never felt and haven’t felt since. The crowds were screaming the lyrics back to me and the push and pull between the band and the crowd was electrifying. The worst show I’ve played was at Downtown Disney and nothing terribly bad happened but my voice was shot from performing too much and it just really stole my confidence on stage and I just felt like I couldn’t put on the show that I wanted to. Although, It was a great learning experience for me to be more careful on how far I push my voice.
Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
The House of Blues is one of my favorite places to perform and I think the reason for that is that the sound and equipment they have is super high quality. It is a contained space and allows the performers to create and curate the atmosphere well. I would love to start playing festivals, one of my dreams is to play Lollapalooza in Brazil.
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
I think right now with the songs I am working on and the next project I will release it would be amazing to be in a lineup of these artists, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Shawn Mendes, Benson Boone, and Christian French. I am super excited about this upcoming project and I feel like the sound of it would fit very well amongst these artists.
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into music?
Find ways to put yourself out there consistently and don’t be super concerned with making things perfect especially when you’re first starting out. Show your progress and you will be building a community along the journey to support your future projects. I did a cover of an Imagine Dragons song called “Demons” 9 years ago. It has over a million views and really helped my social channels grow. I look back on it now and cringe a little at my vocal technique but at the time it was the best I could do and the attention it received gave me the confidence boost to keep going.
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be?
Original music, mastering your style and songwriting is key to success in music. Develop your skills as a musician and as a producer and you will be unstoppable as an artist.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? ‘
“Mona Lisa” and “Last laugh” are 2 songs that I look back on with fondness because both were easy and natural to write. But I must say there is a song I have coming out next year that is called “This Heart” that is the best I’ve ever written and I think it's because it is so personal but also super universal and relatable.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
My favorite song to play live is called “Chasing The Feeling” it just works so well live and the crowds always seem to love the energy of it too.
What is the creative process for you, and what inspires you to write your music?
For me, the creative process is different every single time. Sometimes it’s a situation I’m going through, sometimes I wake up singing a melody, sometimes its a phrase that really speaks to me, and recently I've really been inspired by rhythms and I start by laying down a drum beat for a song.
Do you ever have disagreements when collaborating and how do you get past them?
I like to write about whatever I’m feeling at the moment whether those emotions are happy, sad, angry, excited, disappointed, etc. Regardless of the story I’m telling I like to find some sort of resolve within the song. I use music as therapy a lot and I know a lot of others do too so I think it’s important to present and find solutions.
When I’m collaborating I haven’t run into too many disagreements but I think it's important to establish who in the end the song is for and will represent. If I am writing a song for another artist, I think that means they have last say because it’s representing them in the end. I am also in the boat of it doesn’t hurt to try when it comes to suggestions.
It takes time to find people you click with in this industry and in songwriting. If the vibe isn’t there, it’s not meant to be. I’m not a fan of forcing relationships especially when it comes to creativity.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
I am currently a contestant on this season of the Voice so keep an eye out for me there and I am super excited for new music in 2023! I haven’t set a date yet for any releases but you can for sure expect some new releases. I also run a podcast with friend Leo Vasquez called “Art of Pop” where we discuss all matters of pop culture including music, movies, current events and Entertainment. It’s fairly new but has been really fun and so far is doing really well. There are a couple of other things I have planned but you’ll just have to stay tuned on social media to find out.
Social Media:
Tanner Howe
Instagram: @TannerHowe
https://www.instagram.com/tannerhowe/?hl=en
Facebook: Tanner Howe
https://www.facebook.com/tannerhowemusic
YouTube: Tanner Howe
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOnHmTDwZ6zhTrt-X9ni8VA
Podcast: Art of Pop