My new EP, "I'm Not Here to Help You" is on bandcamp.com and all streaming platforms.
My new EP, "I'm Not Here to Help You" is on bandcamp.com and all streaming platforms.
Nobody writes a song the way that Kate Howard does. Equal parts honesty, humor and poignancy, Kate’s performances are always honest and captivating.
At age 50, Kate wrote her first song. By age 62, she's written over 400 tunes and shows no signs of slowing down. This year, she performed in the Texas Women Songwriters Festival; released her EP, "I'm Not Here to Help You"; and started recording her 3rd release.
Jon Dee Graham (thrice inducted into Austin Music Hall of Fame) calls Kate "the Dorothy Parker of Austin". Iain Johnson (IndieDock) says "Kate Howard is a national treasure in local disguise." Tony Scalzo (Fastball) says of Ms. Howard, “Her lyrics take you to a place no other songwriter will.”
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An original song performed with Purgatory Players, featuring Pat Byrne
An original song from my debut album, "The Best Medicine". Video by Seela.
Original song performed with my band, The Glaucous Glee Club: Dave Scher, Steve Schwelling, Noelle Hampton and Matt Giles.. Recorded by Joanna Castillo at One-2-One Bar in Austin, Texas.
An original tune performed with Purgatory Players, featuring Matt Giles
An original song from my debut album "The Best Medicine". Video by Seela.
Oliver Steck, Jon Greene, Matt Giles and Curtis McMurtry (The Magnificent Four) accompany Kate on the night of her single release
Kate released her sophomore effort, an EP entitled I'm Not Here to Help You, on May 30, 2025. The EP was produced and arranged by John Chipman, who also performed most of the music. Kate played ukulele and performed all of the vocals. Kate and John were thrilled to welcome guest artists Oliver Steck (euphonium) and Carolyn Wonderland (electric guitar). Iain Johnson (IndieDock) says of this collection: "There's a genuine humanity here that recalls the best of Vonnegut's fiction, where profound sadness and absurdist humor coexist."
Since the late 1980s, Kate Howard has been managing symptoms of a neuromuscular condition called Dystonia. Thanks to the support of family, friends in the music community, and friends the world over, Kate was able to have life-changing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy in December of 2019. Electrodes placed in her brain were connected to a device implanted in her abdomen. Shortly after the surgeries, the device was turned on and charged with electricity. The results have been life-changing, in the best possible way. Kate is grateful to her surgeon, Anant Patel; neurologist, Elizabeth Peckham; and her family and friends for their support.
Many thanks to Jeska Forsyth, Bethony Nichole, Elena Antinelli, Gerik Cionsky, Bob Crockett, Adam Day, Shawnee Kilgore, Caleb Roberts, and Winker Withaneye for the photos. Hats off to Seela, Dan Jason, M. Edmund Howse, Curt Ganem and Joanna Castillo for the video. Their time and talents are greatly appreciated.
Kate detailed her journey with Dystonia on Adam Sultan's podcast, "Friends with Deficits". Entitled "Life with a Twist", it's a fascinating story that ends well. https://www.friendswithdeficitspodcast.com/the-podcast
Ms. Howard was honored and delighted to be a guest on one of her favorite podcasts, "How Did I Get Here?" Listen here:
Kate is grateful to have worked with several gifted guitarists, including William Wallace, Jac Conley, Andy Casile, Shane Cooley, Anthony Garcia, Matt Giles, Robby Harris, Ben Jones, Craig Marshall, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Ellen O'Meara, Brian Patterson, Jeff Plankenhorn, Dave Scher and Roger Sollenberger,
Kate's sophomore effort, an EP entitled I'm Not Here to Help You, is available for purchase at live shows and at https://katehowardmusic.bandcamp.com/. It's also available on all the streaming services.
Do you have questions or want to book a show?
You may submit a message here or, for booking inquiries, contact me directly at songsbykatehoward@gmail.com.