Howl Owl Fundraiser Becomes Supergroup

Sometimes, the greatest musical journeys begin not in a studio, but in a text message. For Steve Gorman, the ex-Black Crowes drummer and syndicated radio host, a simple request sparked a serendipitous collaboration that blossomed into a unique band.

Back in 2019, Gorman was scrambling to find a performer for a fundraiser show for his child’s performing arts department, facing a sudden cancellation. Just when he needed a replacement, a call came from Darius Rucker, the country superstar and former frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish. Rucker, out of the blue, suggested joining the project. Gorman seized the opportunity, asking if Rucker would come up to Nashville and sing. Rucker agreed, and the musical adventure was officially underway.

This initial connection quickly expanded. Rucker wasn’t just interested in a one-off performance; he was thinking about building something. He reached out to Mike Mills, the former R.E.M. bassist, and within a short time, the three musicians were texting about getting together. After navigating the challenges of the pandemic, they finally came together in 2022, embarking on a two-year period of intense songwriting and recording.

The creative process wasn’t without its hurdles. As they developed their material, they had to grapple with big questions about their work: did the songs resonate? Were they objectively a record? This conversation about artistic integrity helped solidify their vision, leading them to agree that the songs were solid and worth pursuing.

The real magic, however, arrived when they needed a name. While Mike Mills was in Spain, he heard an unfamiliar bird—a Eurasian scops owl—which sparked an idea. Riffing around this unexpected sound led the group to the memorable name: Howl Owl Howl.

With their unique identity established, the band released their first single, “My Cologne,” on Halloween 2025, which touched upon Ariana Grande’s perfume line R.E.M. It followed this release with a nine-city U.S. tour in November. Now, the band is planning to release more music this year and continue on the road, proving that some of the most exciting harmonies are often found in the most unexpected places.

By Harper Cole