It’s been a massive 10 years for Ben Campain who makes music under the elusive pseudonym of HOWQUA.
There are many references to this name in history, one of which refers to the mining town in Victoria, another an influential Hong merchant of the 18th and 19th century. But Campain and I never touch upon the decision to make music under this name, rather our time together is filled up by sharing the undulations that life often dishes out.
A decade since his maiden EP release Campain is gearing up to play his first live performance in roughly the same amount of time. On Sunday 17 November, the unique and full sounds of HOWQUA will be filling out the Northcote Social Club in a show set to be a re-emergence like no other.
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It’s been a long time coming for Ben Campain who has moved around the country from Mildura to the Mornington Peninsula and all the way up to Queensland only to return to Melbourne since he started making music under the moniker of HOWQUA.
He bases himself out of Barwon Heads now, living a much slower pace of life. The experiences he’s been subjected to in between all the relocation is what has truly shaped his being. Grappling with mental health, undergoing open heart surgery this year and taking nearly 10 years away from music to move through it all.
“Since I stepped away from performing, I’ve been focusing on working on my mental health,” says Campain. “I did a lot of internal work and got to the stage just before moving down here to Barwon Heads where I was in a really good headspace.
“Then in December last year I was told that I’d need to go in for open heart surgery. The idea of my own mortality became so apparent. It’s really serious surgery and obviously you hope that everything goes well, but it does start to make you think about your life, and, of course, death. It’s a bit of a moment where you weigh up a few things and to me that triggered something in me that inspired me to share my music again.”
What a blessing it is for audiences to be able to witness Campain performing live once more, approaching it with a newfound curiosity and sense of expression.
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“When I’m writing a song, I write it based upon what is relevant for me at the time. But when I look at the songs I wrote for that first EP I don’t allow my mind to bring me down too much. I’m in a clearer headspace now compared to when everything was still very raw and I was deep within that.”
“I’m at a point now where I can share this from a different perspective and still feel comfortable to go back to that space. I’m hoping that people can still take something away from these tracks though.”
It’s this knowing in his truth, as well as recognition in the human condition and experience that is driving Campain to step back into music as HOWQUA.
“Music allows for people to look at their own journey and decide if they find connection in someone’s artistry or not. All I can really do is be true to myself and share my experiences and how I’ve felt through my journey. I want to share that as honestly and in the most raw way I can, all the while allowing for everyone to engage with it in ways most appropriate to them.”
“I’ve promised myself that I can go and do this show if I share what I’m saying with my guards down and heart on my sleeve, sharing my story in as real a way as I can.”
Campain has been through so much in life already, but the grace with which he makes and performs his music can only enable audiences to be empowered to allow themselves to feel with depth.
He seemingly and so effortlessly reminds us that “things happen in life and everything can change very quickly,” so it’s best to share your story and do what you love. Welcome back HOWQUA.
Tickets for HOWQUA’s Northcote Social Club show are available now and can be purchased here.
