All songs on this page were written, arranged, performed and recorded by Helene, with the exception of the Alex Chilton song, which contains a
string arrangement by Wim Oudijk.
Live:
Lead vocals and guitar - Helene
Harmonies, percussion, ukulele, bass, melodica, interpretive dancing - The Racists
Influences
Brian, Carl & Dennis Wilson/the Beach Boys (the biggest influence of all), gin, whisky, the Beatles, Macca (RAM & McCartney), George Harrison, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Glen Campbell/Jimmy Webb ('Wichita Lineman' = best song ever), Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, John & Alice Coltrane (RIP), Van Dyke Parks, Phil Spector, Big Star, Chris Bell, Alex Chilton, Laura Nyro, Nara Leão, Todd Rundgren & Nazz, Steve Espinola, Gene Pitney, Emitt Rhodes, Roger Nichols, Tom Waits, Ed Harcourt, Johnny Cash, Patricia Crawford, Rogerio Duprat, Penny Nichols, Townes Van Zandt, Martin Lloyd Chitty, Radiohead, Elvis (Presley & Perkins), Eric Carmen/the Raspberries, the Left Banke, the Byrds, Ben Sadock, the Moody Blues, the Box Tops, the Move/Roy Wood (Birmingham's answer to Todd Rundgren?), the Flame, American Spring/Honeys (BW's wife/sister in law, not the awful UK "R'n'B" band of the late 90's), Loudon Wainwright III, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson, Burt Bacharach, Sidan, the Kinks, David Bowie, Barbara Lewis, Tim Buckley, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Sam Cooke, Atlantic, Motown, Stax, Sundazed, Revola, Serge Gainsbourg, Randy Newman, Tenlons Fort, the Drifters, Fairport Convention, Margo Guryan, the Cake, Stephin Merritt, Gary Usher, the Free Design, Wondermints, Marc Bolan & T. Rex, Jack Nitzsche, the Small Faces, Billy Nicholls, the End, Jan & Dean, the Millennium, Sandy Salisbury, Curt Boettcher, Lee Mallory, Joey Stec, Lou Christie, "Sneeky" Pete, Graham Nash, Yellow Balloon, Sandy Denny, Joan Baez, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, Scott Walker/the Walker Brothers, Eleri Llwyd, Bill Fay, Gruff Rhys (thanks for letting me accidentally touch your penis), Super Furry Animals, Ruby and the Romantics, Delfonics, Royalettes, the Critters, Al Green, Meic Stevens, tea, rain, sunshine, all the ace people in my top friends, Mark Lamarr.
But not James Taylor (except in Two Lane Blacktop). Or reggae (sorry Mr. Lamarr).
Sounds Like
Someone in serious denial of the decade they're living in.
Citizen Helene is a psychedelic folk singer and songwriter from London.
Growing up in a small coastal town in Dorset, Helene taught herself the guitar and began writing and recording songs at the tender age of thirteen. A turning point came when, at sixteen, she became obsessed with the music of Brian Wilson after stealing her brother’s copy of Pet Sounds.
Described as "pure 60’s West Coast pop", her sound has been likened to that of Margo Guryan, Karen Carpenter and Joni Mitchell with English sensibilities, combining lush Beach Boys harmonies with a touch of lo-fi Spector-style production.
On stage, Helene is usually backed by her 60's-style, four part harmony girl group, The Racists:
"The Ballad of Ike & Tina"
Since moving in 2002, she has played in just about every small venue in London, and has supported the likes of soy un caballo, Ed Harcourt and The Superimposers. She has also been known to MP3J occasionally (and badly), under the guise of 'DJ Intervals'.
Having played a smattering of British festivals this summer, she is currently recording a collection of her songs for a virtual album due to be released on iTunes and other digital media outlets next year.
"Baroque and beautiful"- Darian Sahanaja (Wondermints, currently touring in the Brian Wilson Band)
"Fine psych-folk"- Time Out
"Soundtrack to the next summer of love"- Kitchener
22 Oct: Glasgow, Nice N Sleazy (supporting Johnny Flynn) 23 Oct: Birmingham, Glee Club (supporting Johnny Flynn) 24 Oct: Leeds, Brudenell Social Club (supporting Johnny Flynn) 25 Oct: Manchester, Deaf Institute (supporting Johnny Flynn) 27 Oct: London, Water Rats 31 Oct: London, 93 Feet East 11 Nov: London, Bath House (supporting The Brute Chorus)
Hello...thank you for finding me. Okay, I grew up in California. So, I guess I get the whole "60's west coast pop" comparison. But, it just seems so unfair to compare you to anything. You "own" this...Your voice, your style...it's yours. It's breathtaking, really. Wishing you the best of everything.
Green eyes brown eyes grey eyes Blue eyes look into mine, Waiting and watching and waiting, And juggling with words in rhyme, Searching choosing dissecting, Line after line after line, To impress to undress to imagine, Giving all soul and mind, Brown eyes grey eyes blue eyes, Green eyes look into mine, You who are a lady fair, Free in thought and almost there Almost real and almost laughing, A shooting star that fell on me, A flake, a wisp of another destiny, Blue eyes brown eyes green eyes, Blue eyes look into mine, I stagger to my feet and walk away
You are the newest addition to my favourite finds here on MySpace. I love your harmonies. "74% Water..." has not only that, but when I listened with headphones tonight I found the guitar panning left to right very effective in contrast to the vocals in the middle. Nice.
thankyou for your kind words. We've not heard the song yet. Will popped along a good few months ago, and then disappeared. He's a busy old chap, i'm thinking. But it's good to hear that the song is sung aright. It's a very good old song.
We already told mr Hodgkinson we'd not be about for his cecil sharp gig, due to walking related activities. However, we're right now back in Kent, making ready our winter preparations. So, perhaps, there's a chance we could turn up...
a good reminder, thankyou.
and of this season's fruit slow ripened, the best to you.
While watch porn on job, what happen to Flapjack when double party girl come to shop is hardcore drama collection; two and one entertainment! Chen say, "Anyone appetite for shark fin soup?" Party girl number two answer, "No, only crave Flapjack 100 percent all beef thermometer!" HA!
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