Howling Barge

10/01/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDGDAsJBpFA

Here's a wonderful song from from the equally wonderful Chris Fox. I hope you enjoy and follow and subscribe for worlds of wonder. Thanks Chris!

Performed by Chris Fox www.chrisfoxmusic.orgProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

05/01/2024

‘Since you’ve been gone’ to welcome the return of music from this little floating Eden. Thank you so much for brightening this year already.

01/12/2023

An absolute jem of a song and performance from Chris Fox. Hope you enjoy

Performed by Chris Fox www.chrisfoxmusic.orgProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

23/11/2023

Introducing Drowned Bells. We’ve all been in bands together and separately since our teens. We wrote songs together during lockdown as a way to create something light from a time of darkness and to feel connected in a time of disconnect.

With no venues around locally I didn’t think we’d perform together again. Howling Barge gave us a platform to come together and play our songs and I hope you enjoy them.

‘Pieces’ is a perfectly apt song to start with more to follow.

Thank you mark, Rosie and Chris. Paul x

Performed by Drowned BellsProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

22/11/2023

‘I saw a black heron
fighting the river
this is how your heart
falls in love
with mine’

“Uncle Simón,” Díaz was extremely influential in repopularising the traditional folkloric music of the Venezuelan ‘llanos’, or plains.

Expressing himself in song, a llanero (cowboy), connects with nature - with everything that surrounds him and passes through his mind, singing to love.
Often a tonada is sung whilst milking their cows.

The Tonada de Luna Llena (Full Moon Tonada ), is a pure llanero song.

Performed by O.Bo & The birds

‘I saw a black heron fighting the riverthis is how your heart falls in lovewith mine’“Uncle Simón,” Díaz was extremely influential in repopularising the trad...

17/11/2023

Our Howling Family.
What a thing it is to make music- uniting with like-minded souls to express in song that which is felt. Welcoming musicians to my home is a special privilege felt by my family. It’s not often my boys can join a session, but that they can is a real inspiration. They watch all the sessions and will often sing and dance to Roisin or Gaylips, my dad raves about Amuse Manouche and Dan Glendining and slowly each interaction builds, friends made, that family connection grows. Howling Barge is a family; a community, a safe place for musical wonderment - and that brings such joy that the world needs right now.

Thank you , .dj, and for bringing a beautiful slice of South America to our floating Hertfordshire home. Your talent, warmth and charm will be cherished forever. Welcome to the family. (session to follow soon!)

10/11/2023

So wonderful to have Mannakin join Howling Barge and share insights into musical journeys.

Performed by MannakinProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

07/11/2023

Just couldn’t agree more with this! Power to the DIY, the grassroots, the joyful souls who just do! Thanks so much Gaylips… will do all I can to keep championing you. Much love, Paul x

02/11/2023

We’re signing in the rain Amuse Manouche!

Performed by Amuse Manouche Produced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

31/10/2023

Howl-O-Ween screams.

Please enjoy this Halloween offering from The Howling Crew. I think at times we can feel utterly alone in our creative worlds and need to be joined. I love the story of The Wrecking Crew, a band in the 60s responsible for playing others’ songs, bringing ideas to life (most of The Beach Boys). Well, this is The Howling Crew- an interchangeable team who will come together each month on Violet Mary to bring songs, poems, short film ideas- to life! It’ll be seat of yer pants collaboration (we did this all in one hilarious eve). So if you’re out in the dark and this light feels something you’d like to join then drop me a message and join one in the future.

Also I hate being on camera so enjoy my personal horror at seeing myself- stepping out of my own darkness to find some light.

Thanks a million Dan, Sam Kennedy, chris and Betsy.

Happy Howl-O-Ween, Paul x

Performed by The Howling Crew Produced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

27/10/2023

Here’s another absolute delight from The Mostar Diving Club to enjoy. What a beautiful frame for such beautiful songs. Thanks again Damian x

Performed by Mostar Diving ClubProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

21/10/2023

Some Saturday wonderment from the wonderful Amuse Manouche. Enjoy all!

Performed by Amuse Manouche Produced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

20/10/2023

Building…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CynDpx0NVHG/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

12/10/2023

What a joy it was to have Darcey Salt perform on Violet Mary- what a voice! Each musician that arrives now knows this little community on Howling Barge is excited and supportive and to me that’s the best audience there is! So the best stage and the best audience? Well that’s not bad!

I hope you enjoy Darcey’s performance. Please like and share and comment and subscribe to the YouTube (link in bio) to help all these wonderful songs and the Eden that is Howling Barge reach as many people as possible. Thank you again Darcey.

Look out for an incredible performance from Lunatraktors coming very soon also. This little floating world of wonders will impart more musical rainbows!

Thank you, Paul x

https://youtu.be/pB3pxRCjFTg?si=PGgUTxmBD22cN72C

Performed by Darcey SaltProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

11/10/2023

https://youtu.be/f02LmOAIN_E?si=pWTNdIh7ms4VQBfy

More magnificence! What a privilege to have Dan play Violet Mary

Performed by Dan Glendining Produced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

06/10/2023

Is there anything more perfect than a Django Reinhardt song (Nuages) played this sublimely on a narrowboat? As the old coal boat chugged past, that gypsy jazz floated from the porthole windows on the late summer breeze, past the squabbling coots and far off down the river like some timeless dream- what a treat it is to have Amuse Manouche on Violet Mary!

Here is a glimpse behind the scenes with lots more moments of incredible beauty to follow- the sun shone, it rained at times, Violet Mary creaked and swooned with that perfect timbre on her timber and steel.

I’ll share full songs on YouTube soon so pop over now and subscribe to enjoy all those river wonders in full screen 4k magnificence. A super busy week of sessions next week and some absolutely wondrous collaborations and projects in store. Watch this tiny space.

As always please leave a like, comment or share as it supports all the artists and makes us all smile even more! 😊. Paul x

https://youtu.be/CfdrVkBqPU0?si=X6H9mZuzVu6llf0v

Performed by Amuse Manouche Produced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

04/10/2023

https://thehangingbandits.wordpress.com/2023/10/04/live-on-a-canal-boat/?fbclid=IwAR0Z-4pBH0D-GAZmRZxY8xRmvqbsRm_OLR-Yi9YsMupKTrbXwIbbdF0kTOE

Thanks The Hanging Bandits for a lovely article. Lots more to share soon with so many wonderful local artists getting involved and connecting.

We were invited to play on a canal boat by Howling Barge, a filmmaker, editor, producer and musician who has been recording and documenting a number of the great acts in the area. Here is one of th…

04/10/2023

Happy Wednesdays all!

Here’s the new single from Ed Tattersall dropping on all streaming platforms Friday 13th (lucky for some!). So I hope you enjoy and support and share the love!

Also available here on the YouTube channel. Please subscribe as it’s the best way to support and build this lovely little thing.

Some truly wonderful new sessions coming soon with gypsy jazz wonders Amuse Manouche. Also I’ll endeavour to face the camera again to fumble talking about how I capture that natural Violet Mary reverb.

Autumn is here so look out for changing colours outside framing the sessions sooooooon!

Paul x

https://youtu.be/VlJsvfViiVc?si=7kba8H_7ZFBOigdp

Performed by Ed Tattersall Produced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

02/10/2023

Happy Mondays all.

I grew up listening to Dylan- with so many songs the foundations of family memories and inspiration to create. There’s a story behind every song and a story behind our love of them- by sharing these joys we unearth some unspoken truth to how we see the world and feel such a connection to like-minded souls curating life through the songs they love.

I loved hearing Jim’s story of his passion for music and to have his performance aboard Violet Mary feels very special. I’ve often wondered where Dylan would be without those iconic shows in New York cafes in the 60s and where he would play now. I like to think he would play Howling Barge and enjoy the meeting of artistic minds in this timeless location. To be able to support artists and frame what magic they bring the world feels a good thing to do.

Thanks Jim (and Bob), Paul x

https://youtu.be/jJl5DRIVnqI?si=2UHKGiFZ9XMOrqQR

Performed by Jim WattsProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

30/09/2023

Hey Saturday… here’s an absolute banger from Gaylips. Crank it loud and imagine that duck mosh pit just outside. Check them out on Spotify and the amazing production by Faz to have a joyously raucous weekend.

Keep the love coming! Everyone involved gets such a buzz- your likes and shares and comments goes a huge way to getting great musicians the limelight they deserve.

Some super exciting sessions lined up and plenty more to share soooooooooon! Paul x

https://youtu.be/coQduK3y9QE?si=miFlvfrQmyZszGm2

Written and Performed by Gaylips Produced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

28/09/2023

Some musical river medicine from Stone Thieves, I just love that reflected river spotlight highlighting such great music and can’t wait to see how it shifts over the year.

Some really exciting sessions in the pipeline! I think as the nights draw close we need that musical lift more than ever.

Thank you Stone Thieves, it was such a lovely day, and thank you everyone for popping over to YouTube to subscribe, share and support. It really keeps this little platform afloat. Paul x

Performed by Stone ThievesProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

26/09/2023

‘This one goes to all my friends still dreaming. It’s hard to keep it up while you’re making a living.’

Never a truer word said. Hope you all enjoy this wonderful moment from and please go check the full song on YouTube (link in bio). Thank you everyone who has subscribed and supported- we shall endeavour to keep dreaming and sharing! Happy Tuesdays, Paul x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzAFcDnpWTI

narrowboatlife

Performed by The Hanging BanditsProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

22/09/2023

Thank you Jim Watts… what a beautiful performance! Hope you enjoy

Performed by Jim WattsWritten by Jackson C.FrankProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

21/09/2023

https://youtu.be/F30Puw7fQQ4?si=2ExmvTsjdVFBj7Ma

‘I would sail forever on your ocean if I knew you would never let me drown.’

To have this song played so beautifully here still gives me goosebumps. I think songs take new life in different spaces and time and Violet Mary has this wondrous way of holding everyone tight, making all feel cosy and secure , so that songs this tender just sit beautifully.

It was such a magical and sunny day and I certainly need to see that sunshine exists and that these clouds too will pass. I really hope you enjoy Róisín Quinn Music again, please leave a comment, like, share to support her and Howling Barge. It’s also on YouTube so please please subscribe as I think that helps everyone immensely.

Thank you all! Paul x

Performed by Roisin QiunnProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

18/09/2023

Take this stone-cold banger played loud enough to shake the hull of the boat. Even though we closed all the windows on the England’s hottest day, I’m pretty sure that wondrous noise travelled along the river like whale song… or wolf song!

Hope you enjoy as much as we did sweating and laughing at how ridiculously brilliant this was (how great is that screaming end?!). Very proud of that garage rock production on the sound too.

Happy Mondays! Drop it a like, comment, share, YouTube watch, high five, moonwalk or a doft of the cap. Enjoy! Thank you Gaylips ! Paul x

Performed by GaylipsProduced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

15/09/2023

When a train passes by and t***s it’s horn in tune and time as sunlight reflected from the river shimmers above you just know magic exists!

I wanted to share this snippet to highlight how unique each session is- reflective of the outside world yet framed in this one-of-a-kind boat,

It was such a thrill to have Damian join Violet Mary. To have his songs (which I adore) performed so intimately is a gift- The only reverb from the boat shimmering in happy acceptance.

I hope you enjoy, please leave a comment and pop over to YouTube to see the full song in all its glory! Thanks Damian The Mostar Diving Club. Paul x

Performed by Mostar Diving Club Produced by Paul Smith for Howling Bargehttps://www.thehowlingbarge.com/Instagram and facebook

07/09/2023

Beautiful busy times here. It was an absolute joy to meet Damian (Mostar Diving Club) and connect 2 worlds of wonder. His music is an absolute joy and boy does it sparkle here!

I had such a lovely evening with Dangerous Jim Music the night before, hearing stories through music and life that are so moving. It’s an absolute privilege to share such moments in life. Thank you both.

And this weekend I welcome Gaylips to bring some serious riffing to this once tranquil spot and I say BRING THE NOISE!!! It may also be a sweat box.

I’m endeavouring to share things onto YouTube so please do pop over (link in bio) and subscribe and what not. Thank you, Paul x

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05/09/2023

Happy sunny Tuesdays all!

Well to accompany this welcome late summer sun you can’t beat some sublime music. Here’s Ed giving us just that.

We had such a lovely time chatting and sharing stories, it really was a joy to meet Ed and such a privilege to have his voice boom around the hull of Violet Mary! Such a magnificent natural reverb I hope you agree.

(I actually only use the natural reverb created by the steel and wood here and in future I’ll share how this is captured if you’d like. Or just say ‘shut up Paul and give us more sessions 😂’.)

So thank you for popping over Ed and I really hope you have as much fun watching as we did creating 😊.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwzQQAlNjbf/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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01/09/2023

Happy Fridays all!

Having grown up with the music of Tom Waits, Randy Newman and Dylan (thanks dad!).This meeting of boat, bass and troubadour felt like it was written in the stars- or in this case a super moon.

What a wondrous cacophony of folk pleasure. The air moved
and pulsed inside with each twang of the double bass, the ornaments tinkled with guitar and mandolin- Violet Mary’s heart beat swelled- she’s still resonating now (as am I).

It’s a dream to host music in this setting and I just love how performers and songs take on new life here. Please do pop over to the YouTube (link in bio) and subscribe. I produce all videos with broadcast quality so watching it in all its glory is another dimension yet!

Thanks Grae J. Wall & Los Chicos Mu***os and the guys. Just an absolute joy to meet you and privilege to have your songs in my tiny home. I’m sure our paths (and rivers) will meet again. Paul x



https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwpALmmttsF/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==

31/08/2023

Howling at a super moon.

It is believed this super moon encourages an energy of manifestation. Well this week has certainly felt like many dreams coming true for me.

I had the most wonderful time with Ed Tattersall so wonderful we forgot to take any photos (but of course an amazing session to share soon). And last night Grae J. Wall & Los Chicos Mu***os bayed the moon from the river with a mesmeric performance! A first double bass that only just squeezed onto Violet Mary and into the bass space (or the bass steps as they’ve become).

I’m so grateful for the love you’ve shown Roisin, Kaspar 'Berry' Rapkin and all who’ve performed and shared from here. This is exactly what I wished for and please know I’m humbled and grateful. Thank you, awoooooooo Paul x