Artists :: Mark Howard

Biography

Pictured from left: Daniel Lanois, Robert Plant, Daryl Johnson, Mark Howard

Canadian record producer, engineer and mixer Mark Howard has worked with some of the biggest artists in the business: Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, U2, R.E.M. and The Neville Brothers. Most recently, his work on Neil Young's album Le Noise was honored in December with three Grammy nominations. Howard has previously received four Grammys for his work with Dylan and U2.

Born in Manchester, England, Howard began his career in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1986 he formed what would become a 23-year musical partnership with famed producer Daniel Lanois. Together they set up a recording studio and began working with the Neville Brothers; Howard handled the mixing, recording and engineering for their album Yellow Moon. Along with Lanois, Howard has created successful studios in multiple cities, from New Orleans to San Francisco, including the Teatro in Oxnard, CA in an old abandoned 1920’s theatre and at the Paramour Estate in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.  He also has co-produced movie soundtracks, including “Sling Blade.”

In 1993, Howard went solo as a producer for The Tragically Hip’s Day for Night, for which he was nominated at the Canadian Juno awards for producer of the year. In 1994, he put the finishing touches on Emmylou Harris’s Wrecking Ball at the studio he and Lanois shared in San Francisco. The record went on to win a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Howard has relied on TASCAM audio equipment throughout his career.

“I’ve been using TASCAM products for the last 25 years. Not only do they sound amazing but they have proven to be incredible workhorses that help me get exactly what I’m looking for, every time. I have a TASCAM DM-3200 digital desk when I travel abroad, which is an amazing piece of kit. It’s totally automated and it sounds punchy and warm,” Howard said.*

*Quote from SOS interview