19 OctOber 31 - NOvember 6, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents “I have broken 15 tambourines since 2019,” Wulf says jokingly. “Some of them won’t even last an entire gig.” There was a period of time when Wulf was unsure The Howl would stay afloat, but now that they’re back in a stable spot, he’s not looking to change much. “We’re gonna keep the rhythm section as hired guns and it’ll be the three of us direct- ing this thing,” Wulf says. “Lyrics are me. Usually I’m on this singular thought, or I have something I’m really needing to say. Most of the time it’s pretty personal. I’m writing my sermon, if you will.” Finding the Light A lthough he’s left behind his life in the church, Wulf still recognizes the value in worship and commu- nity and wants to carry over certain aspects of that into his music through meaningful lyrics. To put an image on the whole thing, he developed something of a persona for his performances. “I wanted to make a caricature of my- self as a pastor, this wolf in sheep’s cloth- ing, but I’m a wolf in a double-breasted suit onstage preaching a different word, if you will,” Wulf says. “I made it as a carica- ture, but it’s my skillset: I lead worship re- ally well. So how can I do that here, and make it human? How do I bring the hu- man experience into this?” The uplifting message behind “Guiding Light” feels like a solid stab at it, opening up with soft keys before picking up the pace a bit with Supulski’s entrance on guitar. At several points, the song homes in on Wulf’s bone-dry vocals, which never disappoint. The track is full of positive musings that can all be summed up by its repeating phrase, which came to Wulf during a particularly crappy time. “Man, I was depressed one day,” Wulf says. “I was alone in my room, and I started singing to myself, and I just came up with this mantra, ‘Don’t you let the darkness steal your guiding light.’ And that can be any- thing, whatever makes your day brightest, whether it’s the people you love, the hobbies you seek, or maybe it is a God. It’s just a way to say, ‘Keep going.’” Wulf has also been working on solo mate- rial alongside producer Nik Lee, which will be much more personal and introspective than his work with Texicana or The Mid- night Howl. “That’s more of my journal, diary, self-ex- ploration record,” Wulf says. “That one’s gonna start going into my mental health, my relationship that I had with a troubled, trou- blesome parent, and how I’ve had to move on from that.” The Howl has a few more songs on the way after “Guiding Light,” including “Go Easy,” which was inspired by a conversation between Vasquez and Netherland on the road, and “Keep No Score,” an imaginative commentary on the commercialization of religion. They’re also looking to land on big- ger bills and maybe a few festival lineups next year, but until then they can usually be found playing at the Twilite Lounge. “I plan on hitting it a little bit harder next year,” Wulf says. “This year is to struc- ture, plan and scheme, then come out swinging.” ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 5 HELP SUPPORT OUR ONGOING ELECTION COVERAGE GIVE NOW SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF DALLAS, COVERING THE STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU SINCE 1980. DALLASOBSERVER.COM/SUPPORT ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS!
