An Interview with SOUTH Radio Spotlight Artist Ivan Howard

Photo by Taylor Bolding

Ivan Howard is a musician and producer originally from North Carolina. He there imprinted himself into the music scene, namely as a member of the duo The Rosebuds, in addition to his work in BENGALS, De La Noche, and Gayngs. The Portlander has also expanded his musical genius into Virtual Reality development and music production in film and advertising. Howard scored the feature film Women Who Kill (2017) and recorded and produced the soundscape to Nike’s Air Jordan “Shoot for the Stars” commercial. His productions have been heard in commercials for The Walking Dead, JC Penny, Trip Advisor, Nike, and used to set the scene in Vikings, How to be Single, the Choice, Gossip Girl, Flipping Out, and the Flash. A friend to our CD Matt Drenik and frequent collaborator with SOUTH, Ivan hooked us up with a killer December playlist and chatted with us a bit about his curated songs and what he’s been working on:

1. There's quite a bit of 80s influence on here, what do you like the most about this decade in music? What should make a musical comeback from this era?

I've always liked the depth of the music from this era and the way synths and guitars live together. People were not afraid to sing either ha Really though, not sure why I like it so much. A good song is a good song so whatever era it originated is good to me.

2. Do you have any music soundtracks from a film or TV show that you turn to for inspiration when writing?

I alway think about the theme from the Good Bad Ugly.. The Bewitched musical interludes are incredible... The Snowfall TV show had a great soundtrack. Guess it would all depend on which type of song I was writing at the time. There's so much good inspiring music everywhere nowadays.

3. Any favorite holiday albums for the season?

The Rosebuds - Xmas Tree Island is a stone cold classic! Elvis Blue Christmas, Ventures Christmas and the Soundtrack to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (with Burl Ives)

4. How do you typically find new artists to add to playlists?

Usually I'll listen to a playlist or a few songs I like and then just let the algorithms do their thing. Sometimes you get lucky and hear something you've never heard before (probably why I have so much music from the 80s/90s on my playlist I fell in love with because it was the first time I heard them as an adult..

5. Anything exciting you've been working on/coming up for you these next few weeks?

Designing a few VR experiences and starting to dig into a few albums I'm working on releasing this year (as well as a new Xmas album in 2022) Just surviving mainly and listening to as much music as I can everyday

Thanks Ivan, and we hope you enjoy!