Scott Helland Godin Guitars, Vocals, Loops, Wah and various effects, Percussion, Drums, Anvils...
photo by Rhonda Napoleon
Some Reviews...
"Celtic/Gallic/medieval-inspired tunes graced by the Siouxsie-esque French-language vocals of percussionist Samantha Stephenson." Roll Magazine, Peter Aaron 2008
"[They] have been touring diligently and sharing their live-performance energy with their ever increasing fan-base, and if you haven't seen them perform, you really should. Their mood is high-octane and exciting and their music perfectly complements that energy"
Faerie Magazine, 2008
"Few Bands have grabbed my attention like The Gypsy Nomads..."
Raven Digitalis, Author, DJ, New Witch Magazine 2008
"Helland captures a mood that evokes a bonfire on a dark night, undulating and pulsating with life..." Faerie Magazine 2007
"It didn't take long for Stephenson's enchanting lyrics, sung in french, to melt away any preconceptions and expectations. She's an evocative songstress, an amalgamation of late-night cabaret singer and mystical troubadour. And her phrasing works very well against Helland's guitar lines." Weekend Papar 2008
"Helland continues his energetic exploration of medieval themes and modes...his sense of fun and balance shine through and for this recording, he allows his punk rock instincts to play a larger part in the sonic scheme." Kate Goldsmith, Taconic Nightlife Oct 2006
"Helland is yet another accomplished ex-punk from the early ..80's who has made the striking transition to atmospheric soundtracks."
Jack Rabid, BigTakeOver Mag
"Scott Helland is a commanding acoustic guitarist, creating stimulating, passionate instrumentals that may cause little flowers to bloom in your heart." Sharon Nichols, Chronogram Arts Magazine 2007
"Scott creates a warm brew of magic in which any audiophile will want to submerge." If Journal May 2005
"Helland displays wit, taste, vision and craftsmanship in memorable melodies and colorfully constructed arrangements...an inspired take on, medieval, goth and pop" Chronogram Magagzine 2004
Click on the CDs to order earlier Scott Helland Solo CDs
The Gypsy Nomads tour year-round across the U.S. at festivals, clubs, cafes, galleries, instores and house concerts. Their CDs are available online at cdbaby.com or thegypsynomads.com as well as live shows.
New York duo, The Gypsy Nomads, channel the spirit of the gypsy sound, lacing it with a cabaret, celtic and neo-medieval flavor rooted in punk, folk and the vineyards of southern France.
The Gypsy Nomads features bilingual French-born British chanteuse Samantha Stephenson on vocals, percussion and drums and songwriter, artist and veteran of the punk scene Scott Helland on guitar, drums, and loops. Together Samantha and Scott create a compelling onstage chemistry and their show is a lively and animated tribute to the free spirit lifestyle. Described as "high octane and exciting" and a must see, their sound is stark yet powerful, sweet yet cheeky and fiery...with underground and live favorites Ogre Dance, Oh Gypsy and Caravan".
Upbeat and driving guitar/percussion instrumentals, evocative ballads sung in french and english and exhilarating drum jams characterize this dynamic New York duo. Blazing a trail with their trademark gypsy/celtic/folk rock blend, these spirited troubadours tour the US year round playing at festivals, clubs, theaters, conventions, galleries, cafes and house concerts.
In the eighties and nineties, Helland played bass guitar with the bombastic Western MA hardcore punk bands Deep Wound, (which included Dinosaur Jr's J Mascis and Lou Barlow,) and Outpatients. He began performing solo in '95 until the formation of TGN in '05.
Samantha Stephenson, Gypsy Nomads singer and percussionist, studied art at The National Academy of Design and Art Students League in New York City. She began her dance training at the Royal School of Dance in England and performed in dance troupes in Boston and New York and studied and played piano throughout her teens. She now pounds on various percussion and croons in several languages as a Gypsy Nomad.
The Gypsy Nomads' critically acclaimed CD, At The Carnival Eclectique, released May 2008, features their eclectic mix of all-drum instrumentals and gypsy celtic inspired songs both in English and French. To hear more samples visit: GypsySamantha "Frenchy and the Punk!"
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POEM OF LIGHT
Beyond your eyes exists a world That all can learn to see Within this world exists for us Infinite possibility
Many are lost in darkness And cannot find their way Because they choose to believe the lies They hear from day to day
The future's yours the future's yours, If you open your mind Discover what you do not know And greater truth you'll find
You and me and everyone are all beings of light We can all live in harmony, If we increase our sight, Open your heart open your mind, And see your path anew The greatest joy in life will come From Loving Being You!
Love all of life's Creations Take time and you will grow To know the truth and see the light and all you wish to know Your energy creates life and knowledge is for sure Come know yourself, The universe, And So Much, So Much More...
GLAD TO BE YOUR FRIEND, HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL AND AMAZING DAY. STRIVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEBODY'S LIFE TODAY, YOU'LL FEEL AMAZING AND REAP GREAT BLESSINGS!
Hey Guys! Happy Halloween! Are you planning any trips to the west? Let us know and we can give you a few "heads up" on some fests n such for next year! Let us know! We wouldn't mind if you needed to crash with us again! We would love the company!
Sorry that I missed you at the Wildflower Cafe, but, work has this irritating habit of interfering. I did make a recent discovery, however. I was looking through my CDs, came across Catapult...by Scott Helland and the Travelling Band of Gypsy Nomads, lol. You were great then, and still are.