“I’m Not Here to Help You” - Kate Howard

Photo Credit: Artist EPK

Sharp. Sweet. Slightly surreal. And absolutely unforgettable.

Every now and then, an artist comes along and completely rewires your expectations—Kate Howard is that kind of artist. Her latest EP, “I’m Not Here to Help You,” isn’t just a collection of songs. It’s a musical novella written with razor-sharp wit, tender humanity, and just the right amount of weird.

As Jon Dee Graham puts it, Kate is “the Dorothy Parker of Austin,” which is basically saying she’s funny, wise, dangerous with a turn of phrase, and prone to leaving listeners slightly stunned in the best way possible.

Kate spent three decades crafting words behind the scenes—writing tech manuals, plays, and poetry. But it wasn’t until her 50s that she stepped into the songwriting spotlight, and thank the songwriting gods she did. What began as a fun weekly song game quickly became something much more: a fierce new voice in the Austin music scene.

With that late-bloomer spark, Kate doesn’t sound like she’s chasing trends—she’s living in her own beautiful reality. And her second EP, “I’m Not Here to Help You,” is proof that you don’t need decades of industry buzz to create something absolutely electric.

Kate in a nutshell—literary and offbeat, joyful and jaded, poetic but never pretentious.

Musically, the EP sways between quirky, toe-tapping Americana and soulful barroom ballads, all tied together by Kate’s no-BS voice and left-field lyrical genius. You’ll meet misfits, martyrs, lovable losers, and philosophical hitchhikers in her songs—each with their own oddly relatable story.

Kate’s journey isn’t just inspiring—it’s heroic. Living with Dystonia, a neurological condition, she underwent deep brain stimulation surgery in 2019. The result? A renewed lease on life—and a flood of creativity that refuses to be ignored.

And maybe that’s the secret to her songs: she’s been through enough to know what matters, and she’s not afraid to laugh (or sing) about it. Whether she’s taking on heartache or poking fun at human absurdity, there’s a tough grace to everything she does.

Photo Credit: Artist EPK

“I’m Not Here to Help You” is anything but a solo endeavor. Kate surrounds herself with some of Austin’s finest musical misfits—John Chipman (producer/musician) gives the record its understated soul. Oliver Steck on euphonium adds quirky depth. Carolyn Wonderland’s guitar work brings bite and warmth.

Kate Howard may claim she’s not here to help you, but don’t believe her. This EP might not offer advice, solutions, or tidy answers—but it delivers truth, levity, and wild empathy in spades.

You’ll laugh. You might cry. You’ll definitely rewind. If you’re tired of cookie-cutter folk-pop and you’re ready for something off-kilter, insightful, and damn near magical, this one’s for you. Kate Howard is a national treasure in local disguise.

And “I’m Not Here to Help You” is an EP that deserves a place in your permanent rotation.

Listen close—she might just say what you didn’t know you needed to hear.


“I’m Not Here to Help You” is available now on all major streaming platforms

Follow Kate Howard - Spotify | Instagram | Tiktok | Bandcamp | Youtube | Website | Facebook

Listen to Kate Howard and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Indie & Alternative’

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