Brett Howell (AKA Brett The Hat) is a London-based performer, vocalist and musician originally from Cape Town, South Africa.

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His music fuses elements of classic rock, electro-rock and synth-pop. Key influences include David Bowie, Martin L. Gore (Depeche Mode) and Peter Gabriel. Other major influences cited by Brett include Brian Eno, Kate Bush and Leonard Cohen.

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The emphasis on visual components as well as music is fundamental to Brett's oeuvre. “As a musician, I've often drawn inspiration from non-musical art,” he explains. “Paintings and films are as likely as songs to influence and inspire me. At the same time, writing as well as performing songs always evokes a visual world for me, and I like to express that through make up, stagecraft, artwork and film."

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To date Brett has released multiple solo albums and collaborative albums with rock bands Neptune's Kingdom and Moxy Ru. He has also performed at open mic nights with his live acts The Strange Arrangements and Secret Volcanoes. Since 2004, Brett has gigged extensively at London venues and events that include the O2 Academy Islington, The Borderline in Soho, The Garage in Highbury, Oxjam Festival and The Hawley Arms in Camden.

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His albums include 'Mercury', 'The Morning Pages', 'The Making of Francis Fahrenheit', 'The Metamorphosis of Francis Fahrenheit' and 'Vox Zero' - a collection of instrumental compositions.  His album 'Colours' features various cover songs by artists such as Nick Cave, Echo & The Bunnymen and Blind Faith. His 6th album 'Home' is currently being recorded and set for release in 2025.

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The Man of Multiple Alter Egos

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By 2005 Brett had developed both an alter ego and body of work under the name of 'Mercury'. “The songs that I wrote for my debut album, ‘Mercury,’ were conceptual with a definite 1970s rock feel,” says Brett. “I was inspired by David Bowie and his Ziggy Stardust persona, and created a theatrical alter ego called Mercury to speak for my subconscious. I chose the name Mercury for its otherworldliness.” His character served two artistic purposes. “On the one hand, Mercury represented my sub-conscious,” he says. “On the other hand, he paid tribute to my 70s influences. David Bowie and Marc Bolan have been major influences on me, and the character of Mercury became a time traveller through whom I could visit the era of glam rock and interact with those influences.” This aesthetic was equally evident in the album's iconic artwork. “Thinking back, it was really a multimedia project. We evoked the era of glam rock in a holistic way through artwork, outfits, stagecraft and music. Oh... and make-up. Yeah. I wore a lot of make-up.”  

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Following the ‘Mercury’ album, Brett recorded a second solo album titled 'The Morning Pages, which is primary acoustic with folk influences. Key songs include 'Tomorrow's Heroine', 'Before I Saw The Rain' and 'Sir Robert Peel'. 

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During this period Brett filmed a music video for the single ‘Rock ’n’ Roll Clown’ at The Bull & Gate in Kentish Town. The video depicts a performer’s transformation into an ill-fated theatrical alter ego. It also seems to reflect on the necessary duality of a performer’s identity, and existence between two worlds – that of an everyday, off-stage world and a fantastical on-stage world.

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Brett's third album, ‘The Making of Francis Fahrenheit., marked a significant change in direction for Brett. “Whereas my writing for ‘Mercury’ was heavily influenced by glam rock and folk, ‘The Making of Francis Fahrenheit’ has a darker, more electronic sound,” says Brett. “I definitely hung onto some of the earlier influences, but was moving towards a different aesthetic. I was spending a lot of time in London nightclubs like Egg and Slimelight, and increasingly drawn to the sound of Depeche Mode, Martin L. Gore’s solo albums, Gary Numan and The Cure.”

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In October 2017 Brett released his fourth album titled 'The Metamorphosis of Francis Fahrenheit’ and features the tracks 'Mephisto', 'Schizophrenia' and 'The Gate Of Many Sorrows'. "It follows close on the heels of my previous album in terms of the sound and mood. I invited several artists & musicians to be creatively involved and the outcome was truly incredible. Non-musical influences were the authors Franz Kafka and Rudyard Kipling, the 1981 Academy Award Film 'Mephisto' and mental health issues." The album was recorded in Kent and Surrey by Brett. To accompany his avant-garde repertoire his on-stage performance involved the use of make-up, props and unconventional instruments. 

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In 2018 Brett re-invented himself as Mr Redhatt and explored a more light-hearted and whimsical approach to song-writing. His album 'The Fourth Level' includes various guest musicians he met in the South London open mic scene. 'Humour has always been important to me and I wanted to express this in song writing. The songs suited my quirky and eccentric character. Most of the songs were performing live and acoustically. it certainly was a very fun period'.   

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V - Short Indie Film

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50ml Films was an Indie film duo based in London comprised of  Wookash Maciaszkiewicz & Brett Howell. Their short film 'V' was filmed in October 2019 in Clapham Common (South London) and shot entirely on an iPhone with a budget of £10. The film features Victor (played by Brett Howell) who is kept in isolation and obsessed with chess. He is suddenly put under pressure when he receives phone calls from a character who goes by the name 'Mr Magpie'. 

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"Wookash and I worked as bartenders together at Stane Street Syndicate in Clapham Common. We had never directed or produced a film before but thought we'd give it a go. The venue was closing so we were on a very tight time frame and budget. £10 was spent on tins of Guinness and trouser braces for Victor's outfit. It was both a challenge and a lot of fun filming. It's a complete coincidence that we would all experience isolation during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 - making our film very relevant during these uncertain times" - Brett.

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All music, SFX ad Foley was written and recorded by Brett during 2020 and features the music video 'Isolation' inspired by the film.

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Last Boy Electric

 

Last Boy Electric is an alter ego created by Brett Howell in 2003. His first EP called 'City Cat' includes the songs 'Memory Glass', 'Stepping Stones' and 'Ourselves'. In 2022 Brett announced a new EP under the same name, exactly 20 years later titled 'The Midnight Octopus'. It features the single 'Lonely Pilot' and is out now.

 

"LBE is primarily a studio project and incorporates a pop sensibility. It's been fun exploring music with keyboards/synths and without guitars." - Brett

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Comedy Mini Series

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2022 also saw the arrival of Howell's Imaginarium - an online series about an eccentric character who comes from the far corners of the cosmos.

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Brett's prolificacy demonstrates an unwavering passion for music. He continues to create and re-invent himself. "I'm incredibly grateful for the support that I've had so far. Looking ahead, I think the real challenge is harnessing my creativity and energy, and to keep growing.”