Who is Ollie Howlett?
My passion for music and performance ignited early in life while growing up in Aotearoa’s Hamilton and Hawkes Bay, starting with playing trumpet in orchestras at age 6, and then moving on to teach myself any instrument I could get my hands on: saxophone, guitar, piano, clarinet – you get the picture. Around age 15 I got bored of the more rigid classical structures of symphonic music and discovered a love for grunge and punk music, starting my first band with some school mates.
It was also at this time that I first started getting properly involved with theatre, being part of a production of Godspell, in which I insisted on having a mo-hawk, tartan skinny jeans, and a nirvana singlet. Since then I’ve moved away from my punk scene roots, but haven’t lost my drive to speak what is true to me and express it through art.
While my main focus at the moment is with The Barden Party, and the projects I create with Laura, I am also self producing and releasing music both as a solo project, Ollie Howlett, and with the band Calacrol (you can find the music on Spotify). I think at the end of the day, the answer to “who is Ollie Howlett?” is someone who wants to tell stories.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
When I was in high school, my plan for life was to be a dentist, but I was never good enough at chemistry to really pursue that as a career. I couldn’t really say what I would do differently to what I am doing now, as I just try to live my life by constantly pulling on threads and seeing where they lead me. I try to not have regrets about what I choose to pursue because I think that – in the immortal words of Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park – “Life finds a way” and if I keep pushing through, I’ll end up where I’m meant to be.
Who inspires you and why?
Creatives like Anaïs Mitchell inspire me a lot, thinking about the journey she went on creating a show like Hadestown – from concept album all the way to mainstage on Broadway. The way she is able to weave story, music, and lyricism is truly moving to me.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think, as with all musicians, as cliché as it sounds I want to make people see the world in a new light. Changing minds and hearts can sometimes be just as important in the world.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I have been to Edinburgh once as a child and a just absolutely adored it, the feeling of that city is just everything I need in life.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Whenever I’m back home with my parents in Hawkes Bay and my friends come visit, I have to take them to Splash Planet. It’s such a bizarre place. I mean, why does a small town in New Zealand have a full scale water park.
What are you currently reading?
The last few books I have read are Animal Farm, 1984, and I’ve just started reading Heroes by Stephen Fry
What are you currently listening to?
I am currently listening to Kingfishr’s live album, Live From Dublin.
Happiness is?
Spending time and making music with the people closest to me.
What does the future hold for you?
I hope the future holds more music and more stories. I would love for the future to bring success in my career and everything that comes with that, but I think for myself, it’s more important that the future is fulfilling more than superficially successful.
Ollie will play Lady Macbeth in Macbeth and Romeo in Romeo & Juliet – in two productions presented by The Barden Party at Chapel Off Chapel from 27 May 2025. For more information, visit: www.thebardenparty.com for details.
Image: Ollie Howlett (supplied)