 Howden composes his haunting, contemplative songs using a multi-track recorder, guitar, bass, drum machine, and keyboard, meticulously writing all parts for all instruments, as well as all the lyrics.This process contributes to his relatively slow recording and releasing pace.In a 2013 interview, Howden explained that pride in his body of work eventually overcame his discomfort in referring to Raised By Swans as "I" instead of "we".