Episode 301

Brian Howes: The "Swedish Math" Behind Hit Songs

Brian Howes is a Canadian producer, songwriter, and former recording artist known for crafting commercially successful rock and pop records with a strong emphasis on melody, structure, and radio appeal. After beginning his career as a frontman in bands like DDT and Closure, he transitioned into production and quickly made a name for himself with breakthrough projects such as Hinder’s Extreme Behavior and Hedley’s self-titled debut. His work is characterized by hook-driven songwriting, polished arrangements, and a seamless blend of rock energy with pop sensibility.

Over the course of his career, Howes has collaborated with a wide range of major artists, including Skillet, Daughtry, Nickelback, Simple Plan, and Boys Like Girls, earning multiple JUNO Awards for Producer of the Year along with Grammy and Dove Award recognition. Based in Vancouver, he operates largely from his own studio, where he combines songwriting and production into a single, integrated process. Known for his analytical approach to hit-making—often described as studying the “math of songwriting”—Howes continues to be a sought-after collaborator for artists aiming to achieve a polished, radio-ready sound.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

How “Swedish math" is responsible for shaping hit songs
The three-hook chorus structure Brian uses on radio records
Why melody should drive the arrangement, not the other way around
How to map tempo and BPM to vocal cadence
The most common songwriting mistakes producers need to fix
Knowing when to get out of the way
How Brian approaches pre-production with bands who are married to their demos
Why Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel” broke all the rules and still became a massive hit
Making the switch from being an artist to producer
How to give "punk rock energy" in soccer-mom music
Working on Airbourne's new record

To learn more about Brian Howes, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Howes

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