Calum Howard is a composer, producer, sound designer, facilitator and musician living in the Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Inspired by contemporary classical music, minimalism, jazz improvisation, and by the beats, synths and experimentation of electronic music, Calum’s compositions also draw on his synaesthesia - a unique sensory phenomenon where music is ‘seen’ as colours, patterns and shapes. These influences create diverse, intricate and stylistically fluid pieces exploring colour, texture and narrative.
Through scoring short films, documentaries, theatre and digital media, Calum’s diverse musical elements weave themselves into the stories told on screen & stage.
Calum’s ability to write music across a spectrum of styles has become a real asset in creative projects with stories to tell.
Whether producing records, recording, writing or touring with bands and artists, scoring plays, or facilitating workshops, Calum’s work always draws from his love of music and creativity in all forms.
Production, Mixing & Mastering
With roles in production, mixing, mastering, co-writing, live instrumentation and more, Calum’s range of skills is reflected in the diverse list of bands and artists he has worked with: Grey Tapes, Ruth Lyon, Me Lost Me, Soumik Datta, The Dawdler, Minor Victories, Ceitidh Mac, Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra, Smoove and Turrell, L Devine and many more.
In 2020, Calum produced, mixed and mastered ‘The Good Noise’, the acclaimed third album by alt-folk / electronica artist Me Lost Me, featuring the singles ‘The End of the World’, ‘Walking’, ‘Nevergreen’ and ‘Worm Unearthed’.
In 2021 he mixed and produced ‘I Reach for the Pen’, an inspiring EP from cellist and vocalist Ceitidh Mac featuring the singles ‘Birds’, ‘Scrapheap’ and ‘Dragon’s Out’. Calum also mixed Ceitidh's 2022 single ‘Goldfinches’.
Supporting Placebo on their 20th Anniversary Arena tour of UK and Ireland with Minor Victories, a band formed by members of Mogwai, Editors and Slowdive
Live Music
As a piano, keyboard and synth player, as well as solo performer in his own right, Calum has a range of live experience. In 2016 he toured with Minor Victories, a band formed by members of Slowdive, Mogwai and Editors, who toured the UK, played the European festival circuit and supported Placebo on their 20th anniversary arena tour, culminating at Wembley Arena in front of 20,000 people.
Calum has also performed live on Later with Jools Holland, XFM, Virgin Radio and several BBC Radio 6 Music shows. He continues to play live with Grey Tapes, Ruth Lyon, The Dawdler, and Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra.
Calum is also a founding member of Grey Tapes, a collective of beatmakers and producers who have gained a large following in the live electronic music scene.
In March 2022 Calum played at SXSW festival in Austin, Texas with Ruth Lyon.
On special occasions Calum will emerge from the studio to perform a solo set, rendering ideas from his studio into new live soundscapes, with vocals, synths and keyboards. He will be playing Lindisfarne festival in 2022.
“Calum is a talented musician and sound designer, a fantastic performer, and a real pleasure to work with. He joined our small artistic team to collaborate on an unusual online project with a tight turnaround and instantly fitted in with our way of working, offering valuable contributions and working hard to understand what was needed and adapt as the piece evolved throughout the devising process. His attention to detail in mixing the final sound to deliver the highest quality possible showed his dedication and professionalism, and he smiled the whole way through! We won’t hesitate to ask him back as an associate artist on future projects."
“Calum is an inspired composer and great fun to work with. I loved the music he created for my play 'Dawn' and appreciated the way he threw himself into the project and his playful presence in rehearsals.” - Rachael McGill, DIrector, Dawn
“Calum is an exceptional talent, he brings professionalism, creativity, and life to every project we work with him on. His ability to deliver exceptional compositions, on time, to budget, and with the utmost professionalism constantly impresses me.”
Alan Ramsay, Director, Roots and Wings Design