Today we’d like to introduce you to Ally Hocking Howe
Hi Ally, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started learning violin at 5 years old and with the great love and encouragement of my two mums, grew and maintained a deep passion for music. Although I was tutored in the classics, my mums’ love of contemporary folk/pop inevitably informed my developing musical palette. When I moved into tertiary studies (back home in Australia), I made the leap into jazz which sometimes felt more like plummeting from a cliff… blindfolded. However, it opened the door into a new musical language.
The journey into jazz has seen me exploring many other pathways, including composition, electronic violin and digital production. Through mentorships with industry heavyweights, countless hours on my laptop navigating Ableton Live, and the release of my first EP ‘The Feather Came First’, I have developed a unique sound that blends violin, vocals, and electronic production.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think a career in the music industry is ever a smooth road! Working in an industry such as this one always keeps you on your toes. The stakes are high, the job security is low, the hours are long, and there is always more work to do. To top it off, you have to have the resilience to get out on a stage with a smile on your face and perform, rain or shine.
As an emerging artist, trying to persevere through personal illness, cancelled gigs (i.e. the entire COVID-19 era), family illness and death, and a move to the other side of the world has been really hard. That said, my music has become my passion and emotional outlet and I’m pleased to say that I’ve seen it truly resonate with my audience members. Seeing others connect with me and my songs gives me the motivation to push through the many struggles of the industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The thing that really sets me apart from others is my integration of violin, electronic production, and songwriting. And, in this country, being Australian! I think my musical sound is rather eclectic and I try not to spend too much time trying to fit myself into a concise box. That said, all of my songs feature my violin. It gave me my voice as a musician so I try and keep it present throughout all of my artistry.
When writing music, I always begin with a simple idea – often linked to a person in my life who is close to me. If they happen to be another musician, I get them to feature on the track. If they happen to be a non-musician it’s even more exciting because I get to integrate them into the song in all sorts of creative ways. My upcoming releases contain voice memos from friends recounting their wild adventures, auto-tuned harmonies sung by less musically-talented friends, and voice memos from both of my mums.
My inclination to squeeze my loved ones into my music is something that I’m proud of. It reminds me of everyone who’s helped me get to where I am today, and that things aren’t nearly as dire as they sometimes seem.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
So many things! The unyielding support of my mum Aileen (my biggest fan), going climbing and cheering on friends, tattooing myself in my spare time (there’s not a lot of it…), playing my violin while watching movies, getting to hear people open up and tell me of their own struggles, sewing up the holes in my sentimental clothes because I’m not ready to part with them yet, and so many other little things. It’s all about the small interactions that end up becoming hugely significant in the long run.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://allyhockinghowe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allyhockinghowe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allyhockinghowemusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AllyHockingHowe/videos
- Other: https://www.abc.net.au/triplejunearthed/artist/ally-hocking-howe/
Image Credits
Liam Moreland (images 1, 4 and 5)
Harry Chalker (image 2)
Meg Houghton (image 3)
Maria Crane (images 6-8)
