Between Howls

Between Howls (Duluth, MN) are violinist Ren Howl & guitarist Nick Howl. The husband & wife duo’s unique blend of vocal harmonies, thoughtful lyrics and virtuosic instrumental arrangements have been drawing in audiences across the US since 2018.

Nick & Ren met while attending college at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. After a fateful late-night jam on a cold night in January, they decided to play a show together. One turned into two, and two into about two-hundred between the winter of 2018 and the spring of 2020.

In June of 2021 the Howl’s relocated to the Los Angeles area and spent three years based out west. While in California they recorded two albums with the rock group One Less Guest, were a part of two subsequent tours with the band, and collaborated on numerous projects with other artists in music & film. Most notably providing the soundtrack to the 2022 short film, The Pool Boy. When talking about what inspired them to make the leap into doing music full time, Nick & Ren often credit the amazing friends and memories they made during their time in California.

Less than a year after their return to Wisconsin, the duo released Between Howls debut album; and in the spring of 2025 embarked on a two-and-a-half-month tour in support of the record. The Cabin Fever Tour featured 23 stops along a 7,000 mile route winding through the Rocky mountains, along the Pacific ocean, and across the great midwest.

Also on the road that spring was Nashville country/soul artist, Kashus Culpepper. Ren joined Kashus on violin & vocals opening for r&b artist Leon Bridges in Missouri and Colorado. Ren also joined Kash in New York for CBS This Morning’s nationally televised segment, Saturday Sessions, and for his set at Stagecoach Music Festival.

Although often (not completely inaccurately) described as Minnesotans hailing from Duluth- the Howl’s have more often lived, gone to school & worked “across the bridge” in the smaller port town of Superior, Wisconsin. They are currently in the early stages of recording their second album.