Brian Howes: The "Swedish Math" Behind Hit Songs

About this episode

Brian Howes discusses the analytical approach to songwriting and production that leads to 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…

People in this episode

Host: Mike Indovina

Guest: Brian Howes

Topics covered

• songwriting
• music production
• hit songs
• melody
• song structure
• collaboration

Keywords

• Swedish math
• three-hook chorus
• melody
• tempo
• BPM
• songwriting mistakes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hinder, Hedley, Skillet, Daughtry, Nickelback, Simple Plan, Boys Like Girls

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