‘We’ve always loved outlaw and country’: Debut single on way from new band The Hawklines

NEW BAND: Lou and Rich Duffy-Howard. Picture: Opher Goodwin

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

New Hull band The Hawklines will release their debut single on Friday, October 30.

The Hawklines are the new gothic-country band of Lou and Rich Duffy-Howard, who have retired their previous ensemble Loudhailer Electric Company.

Pre-release downloads of the new Hawklines single – Protect You From Crows – are available from Bandcamp and on YouTube. Described as slow and dark, the song showcases the band’s chapel-sized 19th century Alexandre Père harmonium.

You can watch the video here:

The new band’s name is a reference to the gothic-western novel The Hawkline Monster by Lou and Rich’s favourite writer, Richard Brautigan.

The duo are known for alt-folk and their psychedelic band Loudhailer Electric Company. However, they have often played a darker, country-influenced live set. Lou, as bassist with visionary indie band Red Guitars, recently worked with Nashville country trap beat maker Jake Angel to create a remix of their hit indie single Good Technology.

Lou said: “Rich and I had a good fifteen years gigging and recording as Loudhailer, and it felt like the right time to do something fresh and new. We are delighted that The Hawklines includes our son Dexter on violin, and friend Mark playing drums and percussion. This new direction is a natural progression for us.”

Rich said: “We are known for more experimental and guitar music, but we have always had a love of outlaw and country music. When we recently recorded a version of Hank III’s Country Heroes, about our country heroes, it planted the seed for a new band and album.”

ACCOMPLICE: Dexter Hawkline

This led to the birth of The Hawklines and their first recording sessions, with a new album of original songs set for release next year.

Rich said: “While recording the new tracks, Lou and I assumed the guise of the two outlaws in the book, Cameron and Greer, as our harmonium was gifted by Miss Hawkline herself from under the nose of The Professor. So it is fitting that the harmonium features heavily on the single.”

Protect You From Crows is available now on Bandcamp, YouTube, and on other digital outlets via the DHM Record Label on October 30 2026, distributed by Label Worx. As well as a debut album, The Hawklines will also announce live dates for 2027.

The Hawklines are: Lou Greer Hawkline – vocals, bass and harmonium; Richard Cameron Hawkline – guitar and vocals; with accomplices: Mark Hawkline – drums; Dexter D Hawkline – violin.