Howlin Rain is an American rock band based in Oakland, California,^[1] formed in 2004 by guitarist/singer Ethan Miller. Their most recent album The Dharma Wheel was released in 2021. Their sound has been described as "classically soulful"^[2] and "Unapologetically influenced by the strong but easygoing grooves of West Coast 1970s rock".^[3]

Ethan Miller formed Howlin Rain in 2004 when he was still a member of Comets on Fire, as an outlet for his songwriting interests and the influence of life in the Lost Coast area of Northern California.^[4] The first incarnation of the band also included bassist Ian Gradek and drummer John Moloney (who later joined Sunburned Hand of the Man).^[3] The final Comets on Fire album was released in 2006,^[5] after which Miller dedicated himself to Howlin Rain full-time.^[3] The group has since featured a revolving line-up with Miller as the only constant member.

The self-titled album Howlin Rain was released in 2006, establishing a "psychedelic country/garage rock" sound,^[6] after which the band toured as the opening act for Queens of the Stone Age.^[3] In 2007, the band signed with Rick Rubin to American Recordings.^[7] Their second album Magnificent Fiend, featuring an expanded line-up, was released in 2008.^[8] This album was noted for featuring jam band elements, and was described as a "combination of psychedelia, blues, funk and classic 1970s arena rock."^[9] The EPs Wild Life and The Good Life followed.^[3]

Howlin Rain performed at All Tomorrow's Parties in England in 2010.^[3] Their third full-length album The Russian Wilds was released in 2012, featuring further experiments in blues rock and 1970s album-oriented rock.^[10] This was the band's final album with American Recordings, and Miller reformed the line-up once again.^[11][12] Miller then conceived an interconnected trilogy of albums, and the first installment Mansion Songs was released in 2015.^[12]

Miller formed his own label, Silver Current Records,^[3] which issued The Alligator Bride in 2018. That album introduced hard rock and R&B elements to the group's sound.^[13] The third album in the planned trilogy, The Dharma Wheel, was released in 2021.^[14]