During last weekend’s 2024 Austin Blues Festival, power vocalist and guitarist Brittany Howard delivered a memorable set on the second day of the event, hosted by Antone’s and Waterloo Greenway. Her soulful voice, commanding stage presence, and genre-blending music captivated the audience as she performed tracks from Jaime alongside Alabama Shakes classics, leaving the crowd mesmerized with her powerful renditions of “History Repeats” and “Hold On”.
But for those who missed the two-day festival or may be new to Howard’s sound, here are five facts that fans should know about her as an experimental solo, blues-rock-funk artist:
#1 – Death has had a profound impact on her career and songwriting
Born in Athens, Alabama, Howard’s early life was unfortunately marked by the loss of her sister, Jaime, whose death had a profound impact on her decision to pursue a career in music. Their shared love of music and songwriting collaborations eventually inspired Howard to launch her solo career with her 2019 debut album Jaime.
The album explores personal and societal themes through a blend of rock, soul, funk, and blues. Songs like “History Repeats” and “Stay High” reveal her lyrical depth and experimental musical approach. Jaime earned critical acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations.
#2 – She’s the lead singer of ‘Alabama Shakes’
Those familiar with Howard best know her as the powerhouse vocalist and guitarist of Alabama Shakes, an American rock band she co-founded in 2009. The band initially formed under the name “The Shakes” and gained widespread recognition with their debut recording album Boys & Girls (2012) which quickly spread throughout the Alabama bar life scene.
The album’s hit track “Hold On” resonated very quickly with her Alabama fanbase, receiving multiple Grammy Award nominations. which set the band up for success for their second album Sound & Color (2015). Over the years, she has been involved in several musical collaborations beyond Alabama Shakes, contributing vocals to albums by John Legend, Mavis Staples, and Michael Kiwanuka.
And don’t forget her passion project Thunderbitch and her work with the supergroup trio Bermuda Triangle.
#3 – She draws inspiration from Prince and Led Zeppelin
Howard’s music, which blends gospel, soul, and rock into her performances, draws inspiration from music icons like Prince, Led Zeppelin, Curtis Mayfield, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Those fundamental elements of her sound were put front-and-center during Day 2 of the festival.
#4 – She embeds LBTQ+ activism into her music
Having openly identified herself as queer at age 2025, Howard continues to be an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and racial equality that she actively embeds into her public platforms to raise awareness on these critical issues. This activism is clearly reflected in her music, specifically tracks like “Goat Head,” which addresses racism head-on, and “13th Century Metal,” a spoken-word call-to-action.
#5 – She is the embodiment of a true Grammy Award Winner
Over the years, Howard has received multiple Grammy nominations and awards. Her time with Alabama Shakes won the band four Grammys, including Best Alternative Music Album for Sound & Color. Jaime also earned Howard two solo nominations in 2020, further solidifying her status as a leading contemporary artist.
Her ongoing, vibrant influence on modern blues and rock is undeniable as her soulful voice and genre-bending musical approach continues to inspire a new generation of musicians. For those who may be new to Howard’s sound, her willingness to experiment certainly pushes today’s musical boundaries by blending rock, funk, soul, and blues with unconventional production choices that encourages our society to be better than we have been. This includes the retro funk of “Stay High” to the spoken-word-driven “13th Century Metal.”
