Arts & Culture
The Howl & The Hum release new single to coincide with UK tour

The new single “Thumbs Up” is out now and can be listened to at https://thath.ffm.to/thumbsup.

The Howl & The Hum are made up of Sam Griffiths, Bradley Blackwell and Conor Hirons.

A spokesperson for the band said: “Sounding like “High And Dry” if it were written by Jeff Buckley, this one-off track from York’s finest alternative-folk proposition has an aching, melancholy tenderness that will make your hairs stand on end.

“A song about toxic masculinity and tokenistic gestures, “Thumbs Up” is a cathartic confessional from an artist in search of deeper connections in the wake of personal tragedy.

“With pared-back arrangements that let the song’s lyrics take centre-stage, every word lands from Griffith’s haunting falsetto like a sucker-punch to the soul. Building to an atmospheric conclusion, its ethereal keyboards and backing vocals are laid down by Griffiths, whilst The Howl & The Hum mainstay Conor Hirons plays its reverb-glistening guitars.”

Said to be written as singer Sam Griffiths, tried to find silver linings in the darkest of days, he reflects: “”Thumbs Up” is the confession that us men don’t know how to talk to other men about important shit.

“This song was written in the silence after suicides of friends, during depressive episodes, and over non-existent conversations about how we communicate our feelings: our highs, our lows, our loves and losses. It also references 80s movie icons Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger, a brief admittance of vulnerability in the face of what we call masculinity.”

“Thumbs Up” was produced and mixed by Jolyon Thomas (Slaves, Kendrick Lamar) at Mash, before mastering by Kevin Tuffy at Alchemy. 

The single is the first original music to emerge from The Howl & The Hum since the release of their acclaimed debut album “Human Contact” (released via AWAL in 2020).

The band spokesperson continued: “Marrying uniquely affecting lyrics to expansive musical backdrops, the band earned praise from the likes of DIY, The Line of Best Fit, Clash, Wonderland, Music Week and more.”

Also winning over champions at radio including Huw Stephens, Annie Mac, Tom Robinson and John Kennedy, the band have accumulated north of 10 million streams on Spotify and counting. 

Appearing at The Great Escape and SXSW, as well as selling-out The Scala in London and the hallowed York Minster in their hometown, the band are said to have earned a reputation for being an essential live act.

With dates in England, Scotland and Wales, the tour begins at Manchester Gorilla and rounds-off with a two-date residency at Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club in their native Yorkshire. 

 

The Howl & The Hum - remaining UK Tour Schedule

25 Oct - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

27 Oct - Jericho Tavern, Oxford

30 Oct - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

31 Oct - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

 

Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.thehowlandthehum.com/tour-dates

 

Website and social media information:

Website: https://THTH.lnk.to/WebsiteYD

Instagram: https://THTH.lnk.to/InstagramYD

Facebook: https://THTH.lnk.to/FacebookYD

Twitter: https://THTH.lnk.to/TwitterYD

Spotify: https://THTH.lnk.to/SpotifyYD

YouTube: https://THTH.lnk.to/YouTubeYD

 

  • The Howl & The Hum release new single to coincide with UK tour