Exclusive: Howler Start Work On Second Album

Despite their debut barely having touched record shop shelves, Howler are already hinting at the emergence of a sophomore effort. Speaking to DIY, Jordan Gatesmith, frontman of the Rough Trade darlings, has revealed plans for a follow up to their recently released album ‘America, Give Up’.

“I’ve already started working on it, I’m really excited,” he exclaims. “It’s funny because you finish a record and you’re like, ‘Oh, it’s over! It’s finished! I’m happy about this record, so proud!’ And then all of a sudden, you write another song and you’re like, ‘F**K!’”

Their self-deprecating lyrics, scathing titles and court case-inducing cover art might not be looking to make a reappearance, however. “I want to do something different every time,” he enthuses. “The EP [2011’s ‘This One’s Different’] was supposed to just be sugar- coated pop music. The record is supposed to be a much darker, almost Jesus & Mary Chain, buzzsaw guitar kind of punk thing. Very shoegaze. And now, I want to space it out a bit more. I want to do live tracking, just two guitars, a bass and drums. Really, really basic stuff.”

Hanging out in his label’s offices, the cocky vocalist has no qualms about telling us exactly what he wants for the future of the band. “This is may be me being naive but I want to make Howler as youthful as possible. I’m 19 right now and I’ve completed a record and a tour. I want to keep Howler short and sweet, maybe do four records and leave it at that,” he divulges. “I like the whole Smiths trajectory; four albums and then f**k it. But that’s more because they hated each other than anything else. But give us four years and maybe we’ll hate each other too.”

And when it comes to people the young songsmith wants to work with, he has a very clear idea of who’s next in line for production duties. “I’ve been making my producer list,” Gatesmith finishes. “I’ve got a whole list of people I want to work with. I’d like to make a shout out to Rick O’Cassick. If you’re reading this Rick, please work with us.”

Howler’s debut album ‘America, Give Up’ is out now via Rough Trade.