Pam Howe is one of those singer/songwriters/performers that you can add to a my long list of those that you probably have never heard of but that you should. Pam Howe (also known as PH) was the leader of Atlanta Bossa Nova heavyweights Cicada Sings. I literally stumbled upon Cicada Sings by accident and to this day it is one of the best accidents that ever happened to me. Their one and only release “Lousy Private Fuzz” is an exciting mix of bossa nova and jazzy grooves that while retro sounding is still fresh and exciting. Over the years, Pam and her long time collaborator/husband Chris “Fatty” Burt expanded the sound and vibe of Cicada Sings in a more hip hop direction with PH Balance who released their debut on Daemon Records and then went on to release a few stellar independent releases.
After relocating to the mountains of North Carolina, PH and Fatty have put together a new band called Chakra Bird. Chakra Bird is a marriage of all the sounds of Cicada Sings and PH Balance along with some flavor of where they are at today. Pam has always been one the sweetest people I’ve ever known and she managed to make some time to answer a few questions for the Brainfart. We talked about Cicada Sings, PH Balance and where she’s headed in the future. This was a great interview to do and I really enjoyed this one. Check it out!
Before we get started, I have to say that I saw more Cicada Sings shows than just about any band I can think of. When I tried to count one day, I lost count after 15 or 16 shows (including that month long run at Red Light Cafe during the Olympics.) It was such a treat to get to know you all over the years and now to have you doing this interview!
Thanks Don! That is so cool.
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Lets hop in the Brainfart Time Machine (not as gross as it sounds, I promise!). When did the music bug bite you?
As far back as I can remember. I have never had a cavity because I always wanted to be a singer. When I was super young, I got it into my head that to be a singer, you had to have white teeth. So I brushed and brushed.
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Who are some of your biggest influences and inspirations as an artist?
Paul Weller is my number one inspiration. I discovered him in the late 80’s and he has inspired me ever since. his integrity, his passion, his internationalism (ha). He is a bad ass and at 51 a vital artist. Barbra Streisand taught me to breathe. Olivia Newton-John was my first hero. I did a show in a neighbor’s garage when I was 7 or 8 of her greatest hits album. Aretha Franklin is a constant for me. Erykah Badu’s “Mama’s Gun” album is a perfect record and hurt me when it came out. Ella Fitzgerald with her purity. Tom Jones, Dr. Robert, Lou Rawls, Anita O’Day.
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Do you have any formal training as a musician or are you self taught?
I had two classical voice teachers when I was about 13. The first one said “you’re going to do something, but I don’t think it is singing.” I took a little classical guitar for about a minute.
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Cicada Sings was a bosa nova band that was lead by yourself and long time collaborator/husband Chris “Fatty” Burt. How did 
Cicada Sings come about?
I was living in Decatur in a house with Chris and Emile DeFelice. Chris played me some of his songs and we just clicked. Emile played violin and then Rob Mallard got back from Europe and started playing flute. We went through 13 drummers before we met Jason. I forever know the importance of the drummer in a band. Good drummer, good band.
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I’ve always wanted to know this but where did the name Cicada Sings come from? I remember talking to Fatty one night after a show and he told me he was a big Deadhead. Would I be wrong in assuming that the name came from a lyric in the Grateful Dead song “Terrapin Station?”
Emile and Chris thought of it and didn’t tell me the Grateful Dead reference because I was completely NOT into the Grateful Dead. It was supposed to be a temporary name. no regrets.
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I can only imagine that its gotta be hard to get gigs as a Bossa Nova band in the ’90s when Alternative and Metal were dominating the Atlanta scene. Was there an underground bossa nova scene for you guys or were you pretty much on your own?
The Jody Grind were really big in the scene. They brilliantly did 50’s, 60’s jazz. Bill Taft, the Jody Grind’s guitarist had a regular evening at The White Dot and helped me by always supporting my projects. Cicada Sings really clicked when we started playing the downtown club Homage. It was a perfect fit and became our home place where we built a nice following.
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I first saw Cicada Sings and fell in love with the band when I saw you open up for, of all people, Lisa Loeb at Atlanta’s Center Stage Theatre. How did that bill come to happen and got any good stories from that show?
I think I got that call at the last second. I remember meeting Lisa Loeb and she was so tiny. I remember looking at her hand in my hand and thinking I could crush it.
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In 1994 Cicada Sings released “Lousy Private Fuzz” which was (and still is) such an amazing album to hear. I had never heard anything like it and was floored. Cicada Sings’ line up seemed to change a bit over the years and by the time I was seeing you guys, you were a three piece along with Thad Wilson on the trumpet. Did that line up ever record anything and is there any chance it’ll see the light of day?
We did a few demo’s. Thad was amazing to play with. We went on vocal journeys together. The original line up was a six piece and we sounded just like the “private fuzz” record. That record is the quintessential Cicada Sings.
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Sometime around 1995 or ’96 I remember seeing Cicada Sings starting to morph into another band that ended becoming PH 
Balance which was more of a hiphop/jazzy type of collective. Was this a natural transition for you and Fatty and what brought it on?
It was absolutely organic. Fatty was listening to Tribe Called Quest. He was making beats and asking me to write on top of them. MC Mudfish would come to Cicada Sings shows and rhyme over our improv. He was part of the freshest scene I have ever experienced. Ph Balance merged this good vibe hip hop scene with the live club scene.
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As I said before, I saw MANY Cicada Sings shows. How many times did you want to strangle me for requesting “Variation On A Theme?”
I still love that song. So, I never wanted to strangle you! It’s flattering to have songs requested.
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The latest thing you and Fatty have going on now is the fabulous band Chakra Bird which seems to me to be more of mix between Cicada Sings and PH Balance. Was this a mediated sound or is it also a natural progression?
An absolute rebirth! Chakra Bird is so exciting to me. We’ve had a lot of fun making videos…check them out! I made videos with my brother when I was in my teens and it is a dream come true to do it again, but with my songs! I am working on a new album right now for Chakra Bird. Melodically, it is a total return to Cicada Sings.
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I’m sure that being the veteran that you are, you’ve shared stages with many bands while on tour or locally. Who were some of the coolest bands you’ve shared the stage with and who weren’t so cool?
THE coolest was Tahiti 80. They are from France and completely inspired me. St. Etienne, the lead girl was a classy lady. their bass player ended up playing with Paul Weller!!!!! Pat Benatar was awesome. I just realized that I’m not remembering who weren’t so cool…so that’s nice…oh Ben Taylor……
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What artists are dominating your iPod these days (or whatever other music contraption you’re using)?
Paul Weller! the Jam! I’m listening to a lot of Anita O’Day. late 60’s Tom Jones. The Foreign Exchange. The Style Council. Brazilian music.
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If you could put a dream band together of any famous musicians (alive or dead), who would be in it and what would they play?
You have to be in the band as well! Jeff Tain Watts on drums. Paul Weller on guitar. Bootsie Collins on bass.
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What inspires me to write is just sitting somewhere and watching people, hearing conversations and creating “stories” for people. What are some things that really inspire you to write?
Recently: nature. Perspective. Sometimes another song. Like Michael Jackson’s “Butterflies” I’ve tried to write a song like that…have failed so far. Melody comes to me in dreams.
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Name 4 artists that I would be surprised to hear that you were a fan of!
1. Tenacious D
2. Andy Williams
3. Barbra Streisand
4. Yo Majesty
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How exciting is this? Hollywood called and they want to make a movie about Pam Howe! Who would play you on the big screen? 
Yikes! Cate Blanchett?????? ha! that makes me laugh.
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Can you tell I love lists? I’m going to list 6 songs and if you don’t mind, would you please share a thought, memory and/or story about each one?
1. Variation On A Theme
This is Fatty at his best. His flowy groovy guitar style. I used to be bitter about the mainstream, but no more, so it’s lighter now for me to sing.
2. Be With What Is
I’ve sung this song at so many incredible gigs. I’ve had clubs full of people singing the words with me and that is just astounding to me.
3. Twilight
Loop d’ loop. another incredible guitar groove from fatty.
4. Music or Weed
I was dealing with young people in a scene that I perceived was about a party first and music second and I needed to address that.
5. National G
Ha! I love this rhyme! it makes me smile, I didn’t know I had any more rhymes in me. it’s also my love of 60’s national geographics.
6. Slickers In The Sun
One of my first songs. I still love it. a fun groove.
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So are there any plans to do a Cicada Sings reunion sometime? If not, when can Atlanta (and the rest of the world) expect to see any incarnation of your wonderful musical projects live in concert? Any plans in the foreseeable future?
I am not a reunion type person. I really am inspired and vital in the now, so I can’t imagine any kind of reunion. Chakra Bird actually played Atlanta last summer. It was nice to come back. The experience propelled me into the future. I saw who I am today on a stage from yesterday and it was a big gift to me. When this album is finished, who knows! I miss performing. We have performed a lot in Asheville and it’s been really expanding and fantastic.
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So whenever I’m driving and Boston’s “More Than A Feeling” comes on the radio, I just can’t help but sing and sing REALLY badly along with it. What song do you just find yourself singing along with at the top of your lungs to while driving and not giving a rat’s ass how off key you are?
Wonder’s “As” just lifts me up. A lot happens in that song.
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Pam, how can my readers find out more about all of you’re awesome musical endeavors over the years and check out some music?
Check out www.myspace.com/chakrabird or www.myspace.com/phbalanceforreal
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Pam, it’s been an honor to have you talk to the Brainfart! Thanks so much for wasting your valuable time doing this. You really made my day with this interview! What can we expect from Pam Howe in 2010?
Chakra Bird’s new record. Videos, shows…LOVE! Thanks Don. This was fun. I appreciate your questions!
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