Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Ishida. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Our band The Howling Faith is a trio, each born and raised in greater Los Angeles. Fronting the band is Laura Sanchez-Ishida on lead vox and bass guitar, Danny Rodarte on guitars, and Jaime Ramirez on drums. We’re all native Angelenos hailing from different parts of the city. And we’re an”ad band” – we met through mutual ads on Music Connection 15 years ago, and after a few gyrations, our music has evolved to where it is now…our sound has drawn comparisons to Shocking Blue, Julieta Venegas, X…and we draw influences from REM, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, PJ Harvey, The Ventures, and Tom Petty to name a few. We’ve been surviving all these years as exiles on the sidelines of a forgettable formula, but we’ve carried on with indifference to the rules. All of our music is original, throwing in the occasional obscure cover, and it blasts tribal beats with jangly/surf/punk guitars complimented by Laura’s vocals, which we’ve been told are like a hot knife cutting through butter. But when it comes to our story, nobody said it best than Xiuy Velo (Los Illegals): “The Howling Faith don’t care. Their…guitar laden semi-narrative ramblings of music refuses to put them in an “us or them” category as in not white enough for the Americana scene and not ethnic enough for the Alt-Latino scenes.” This non-conformist meshing of styles is what happily keeps them performing, wandering, and mapping out the entire city, scene by scene, from the DTLA breweries to the eastside barrio’s hole-in-the-wall dives.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not! Again, refer to Xuiy Velo’s quote above. We’ve found ourselves consistently on the fringes of the local music scene, not quite fitting into any certain niche. We’re ok with that – and sometimes even embrace it – but it does present challenges in connecting with a wider audience. It can be the proverbial blessing and curse at the same time.
In addition, Laura has endured more than her fair share of mansplaining and free advice on how she should play, sing, look, etc., and mostly from dudes who’ve never set foot on a stage!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We’re a rock trio, writing and performing our own original songs. We’re proud of the four new songs we just finished recording with Manny Nieto of Manny’s Mic Locker. Our songs have evolved over the years, and we feel we have captured the true intent and sound we envisioned. The first of the four singles, Days And Days, will be released this fall, along with an accompanying video.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Music! Because we are musicians. Ok, seriously, we enjoy the writing process in itself. When we finally put all the pieces together and get what’s inside our heads out into musical form, where it clicks and resonates to us personally, it’s very satisfying, an accomplishment. And to take it a step further, playing it live for an audience and getting their positive reaction, seeing them connecting and enjoying something we created and enjoy ourselves….is a very cool feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehowlingfaith.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thehowlingfaith/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/the-howling-faith/117239558480853
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFJbF3EoAVYsMDC5VGEpLug
Image Credits
Piero F. Giunti – Personal photo, photo on bridge
