Meet your musicmaker: Pam Howe

'Hood: L5P
The resumé: singer/guitarist for pH Balance and Ramadamafia; aka DJ I-Lash; former member of Cicada Sings
Latest gig: new solo CD, The Sky Is Me
Why the sky is she? "I'm smiling, claiming, renaming and reaching for loosie goosie ... touching."
Inspirations: "My wanting to expand and evolve. A real need to communicate who I am clearly. In other words: Muhammad Ali."
But, is it music or spoken-word? "It's spoken-word music. I'm a soul singer. I've really stretched myself to explore every aspect of my voice and expression ... skiddli di."
But, what if the sample-clearance police come calling? "I'll point at the sky and run ... dmc."
Did you paint and print all 125 limited edition CDs individually? Yes, it was very freeing and a lot of work ... but each one is blessed."
Inspirations, part 2: "My front porch, Rumi, Rilke, risks, anything starting with an R ... Tolstoy."
So what's next? New pH Balance CD, coming any moment. "The new album thumps. We crafted it as a singular flowing work."
Why all the different projects? "pH Balance is my dream band, a wonderful springboard for my voice and Solid Gold choreography. Ramadamafia is a boundary pusher ... interpreting the uninterpretable, deconstructing hip-hop. Playing solo is my biggest challenge; so intimate, it's really a prayer, an invitation for connection with the audience."
Pam Howe performs at her CD release party, Fri., Feb. 16, at Eyedrum.