DeepSummary
The episode starts with Lia reflecting on her experiences as a frequent Airbnb guest and considering hosting on the platform. She realizes the potential to make money from her own space while traveling. Questlove introduces Brittany Howard, a five-time Grammy Award winner, as the guest. They discuss her upbringing in rural Alabama, where she learned to play various instruments and formed the band Alabama Shakes.
Howard shares her musical journey, from discovering her love for music in middle school to teaching herself instruments and finding bandmates. She talks about the formation of Alabama Shakes and their unexpected success with the album 'Boys & Girls.' The conversation delves into Howard's decision to pursue a solo career and the creative process behind her albums, including her collaborations with producers like Blake Mills and Nate Smith.
Howard reflects on her childhood influences like David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She also discusses her self-care practices, such as meditation, and the importance of performing for her artistic expression. The episode covers various topics, from Howard's experiences with horses and Nashville's music scene to the recording process and her visual aesthetics.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Brittany Howard's musical journey from her rural Alabama upbringing to forming the band Alabama Shakes and later pursuing a successful solo career.
- The creative process behind Howard's albums, including collaborations with producers like Blake Mills and Nate Smith, and her preference for analog recording methods.
- Howard's childhood influences, such as David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and their impact on her musical style and artistic expression.
- The importance of self-care practices like meditation for Howard's mental and emotional well-being as an artist.
- The significance of live performances for Howard, providing her with a sense of freedom and the pinnacle of her artistic expression.
- Howard's transition from Alabama Shakes to a solo career, driven by a desire for individual expression and creative freedom.
- The evolution of Howard's music videos and visual aesthetics, drawing inspiration from various sources like Japanese and Korean films.
- The dynamics within the band Alabama Shakes and the challenges of balancing individual growth and collective goals.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It was in that moment, standing in the gym, that I knew I wanted to be in a band and I wanted to make my own music and I wanted to be up there. Like, they were like, I think that was the come to Jesus moment for me.“ by Brittany Howard
- “We never really had to have conversations, because by the time, like, when we're talking about the band, by the time the band kind of concluded, um, we had all grown a lot in a lot of different ways, and it kind of got to the point where I was just like, well, I don't want any of my expressions to affect you or vice versa.“ by Brittany Howard
- “So when I start off doing my demos, it's usually digital just because it's handy. I can pull from lots of different ideas really quickly, so I'll start there. But I know ultimately, I want to do something analog to me, and, you know, everybody has an opinion about this, but to me, the analog is just more fun because you can accidentally do shit with analog.“ by Brittany Howard
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Episode Information
Questlove Supreme
iHeartPodcasts
3/6/24
Brittany Howard sits down with Questlove Supreme to discuss her new album, What Now. Howard also reflects on her upbringing and the formative years of the Alabama Shakes and discusses making a new home in Nashville. The vocalist and guitarist also reflects on the influence of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie.
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