SIKES

Brian Howe AKA Sikes is a Indie/Hip-Hop artist & producer from Pittsburgh, PA who is well known locally for his work in various musical projects and other artistic endeavors.

Searching for a creative outlet that he could have 100% control over, Brian began writing solo music and performing live as Sikes in 2007. With the original intensions of making nothing more than just straight up Hip-Hop, Brian accidentally stumbled onto a sound that was inspired not only by the other Hip-Hop he enjoyed but all of the music he enjoyed as a whole by incorporating elements from a wide variety of genres channeling artists such as Bjork, Mindless Self Indulgence, Aesop Rock, Pig Destroyer, Aphex Twin and Prefuse 73.

In the past 5 years Sikes has recorded, self produced and self released 4 full length albums and 1 EP as well as playing a respectable number of shows in between commitments to his other music projects. The past year however has seen a complete restructuring of Sikes with the addition of a 4 piece backing band for live performances who also played on the most recent Sikes album "Self Portraits & Self Destruction".

Currently, Sikes is playing shows locally in support of his latest album "Self Portraits & Self Destruction" which was was self released in late 2012 on Vinyl & CD. He is also working on a VHS/DVD release that will feature independently filmed music videos for every song on the album.