Poetry series:'between the lines'
INTERVIEW: SONOTTO'S DEBUT EP, COULD WE BE CLOSER
Milan Perera
“Sorry if that sounds arrogant, but truthfully there’s nothing particularly that comes to mind”, said the Bristol based Otto Neckel when asked of the music influences he tried to emulate on his journey as a budding musician.
album review: waking moment, windshake
Arron Kennon
The new debut album from the Bristol-based band is filled with promise for their future. Whilst rooted in artists ranging from Jefferson Airplane to Deerhunter, the album is able to command a unique voice, successfully weaving psychedelia and folk.
Rough Guide to Barbès
Abiba Coulibaly
The Parisian neighbourhood of Barbès is relatively unknown, but is an established haunt of visiting and exiled musicians, as well as fertile ground for the development of Western musical styles among younger artists,
Rough Guide to Opera
Nicky Garsten, Andrew Kenningham and Kevin Read
Sex, tragedy, incest, weapons of mass destruction… This is a gentle guide into a genre which is often dismissed as obscure, high-pitched warbling.
Rough Guide to '90s hip hop
Frank Gavurin
Smooth rap, jazzy backing... with both classics and some more obscure tracks, check the rhyme on this alternative '90s US hip hop.
Rough Guide to Riot Grrrl
Molly Tie
The riot grrrl ethos has kept its momentum with scenes popping up all over the world, paving the way for many female-fronted bands today who still take inspiration from the work of bands performing 30 years ago.
Mozart gets a makeover:
bops' the magic flute
Elsa Kenningham
Learn how the Bristol Operatic Society combined magic, masonry and Mods to put on a production during a pandemic.
Rough Guide to The Beatles
Ruby-Leigh Smith
The all-time band you feel you should know - a rough guide to a group that defined the Swinging Sixties and continue to inspire musicians across genres. Find out which infamous lyric was originally "scrambled eggs" & who 'Hey Jude' was originally written for!
Rough Guide to Electronic Body Music
Kai Daniel Malloy
Metallic clanging, the judder of a pneumatic drill, hoarse shouts in an aggressive tongue... Despite its severe first impressions, EBM fuses elements of dance and industrial music to create a lively and danceable genre.
Rough Guide to Brazil
Suzie Beckley
Did you know that musicians living in apartment blocks used to get so many complaints from their neighbours that they had to sing in low voices, resulting in the hushed tones that make bossa so distinctive? Travel to Brazil for a treasure trove of music with a "faraway feel".
Rough Guide to Bob Dylan
Cal Bakaya
"If there is one thing true about Dylan, it's that he's a bastard". Whether you are uninitiated, a dabbler or a committed sceptic, get catapaulted into the colourful world of Bob Dylan and you may just be converted.
Rough Guide to Soul
Amy Hind
Soul continues to birth and influence countless sister genres, from funk to R&B and hip-hop, proving that the genre is truly timeless.
Rough Guide to Shoegaze
Bonnie Dowler
Discover a genre characterised by ethereal, other-worldly vocals and droning guitar riffs which come together to create immersive walls of sound.
Rough Guide to German Hip Hop
Elsa Kenningham
Do you know who the dinosaurs of Hamburg hip hop are or which German city has the tagline 'poor, but sexy'? Get roughly guided through an underappreciated genre which is infused with politics.
Interview: Sleep Walking Animals
Emily Wolfin
Tom Glynn-Carney discusses his influences and creative process, as well as where he gets his inspiration, the differences between acting and performing music, and how to stay creative during lockdown.
Edie McWhinnie
From screaming like a banshee to deep Barry White tones... This is a sonic adventure through some highlights of Kate Bush's ecclectic (and eccentric) discography.
Rough Guide to Jazz
Emily Wolfin
If you have ever felt intimidated by jazz, this guide will provide you with an appropriately accessible, yet diverse collection of tunes, from the delicate, to the downright groovy...
Rough Guide to European Romani
Lucy Kenningham
A rough guide to the music of European Romani. Featuring haunting vocals, rhythmic percussion, soaring fiddles and lots of wild acceleration...
Rough Guide to South Africa
Thomas Beavis
A rough guide to the music of South Africa - from 18th century hip hop to modern day rap.
Rough Guide to Emo
Yvette Parry
If you’re looking for a trip down memory lane, or to explore a genre you tried so desperately to avoid, then this Emo guide is here for you! From the obvious anthems, to the niche numbers, Yvette Parry offers a sweeping guide through the genre.
How to Dance While Everyone's Watching
Thomas Beavis
Expert advice on how to shake your booty in a COVID-appropriate way. A must-read for any music lovers wanting to reenter their beloved venues in style.
Cosmos Playlists
A collection of our cosmos-themed playlists, along with descriptions from their creators: Suzie Beckley's 'strange noises', Ellie Fernyhough's 'hallways to other worlds' and Kai Daniel Malloy's 'космос'.
A Conversation with Lola Young
Caitlin Thomson
Helicon catches up with award-winning singer-songwriter, Lola Young, hailing from South London. Her debut Intro is a nuanced, atmospheric allegory about love and growth. Her latest release ‘Pick Me Up’ is languidly jazzy, a single from upcoming EP Renaissance. Music Editor Caitlin Thomson caught up with Young to discuss creative process, success in the industry, and artistic influence.
LIVE REVIEW: King Krule
Caitlin Thomson
Caitlin Thomson reviews King Krule's Man Alive! launch gig in Bristol, presented by Rough Trade. Characterised by Krule's bassy moan or violent howl, this moody, turbulent performance of affection, fear, abandonment and fury well sated his aesthetically fatalist fans.
Oslo Twins: An Interview
Caitlin Thomson
Caitlin Thomson interviews Oslo Twins, a gorgeous dream-pop band that claim influences of Portishead and Beach House, looking forward to their live set with Helicon at our EDEN launch.
LIVE REVIEW: black midi
Eve Rosenberg
Eve Rosenberg reviews black midi's sold out gig at The Marble Factory. A chaotic and immersive gig in which the band journeyed down a wild, extended path of improvisation.
DJ INTERVIEW: SHIM
Caitlin Thomson
Our music editor interviews Shim, aka Ed Deacon, who came in first place in our DJ mix competition, in anticipation of his set at the Love Inn in January.
DJ INTERVIEW: Skeleton King
Caitlin Thomson
Our music editor interviews Skeleton King, aka Daniel Brashaw, who came in second place in our DJ mix competition, in anticipation of his set at the Love Inn in January.
DJ INTERVIEW: KAI
Caitlin Thomson
Our music editor interviews Kai, who came in third place in our DJ mix competition, in anticipation of his set at the Love Inn in January.
LIVE REVIEW: Sampa The Great
Annabelle Lily
The band entered to huge cheers: three singers; the drummer; and SilentJay. A key member, he manages everything from percussion, to sax, to production for Sampa The Great. It was a humble assembly. They began with jazzy, choral intros whilst the crowd eagerly awaited Sampa's entrance.
LIVE REVIEW: Simple Things Festival
Cecilia Hviding
Curated by a selection of its leading promoters, the festival has become a beacon for innovation and risk-taking by giving a platform to some of the underground's leading names and those it believes are worthy of your ears...
PREVIEW: Kissing Futures @ The Old England
Caitlin Thomson
A preview of the multi-faceted artist Livia Rita’s avant-garde eco-feminism in anticipation of the Kissing Futures night.
LIVE REVIEW: THE LONDON AFROBEAT COLLECTIVE
Caitlin Thomson
The 9-piece collective hopped onstage, tuning and testing their respective instruments just after 10.30pm, in front of gaudy red curtains...
Live Review: Jordan Rakei
George Smith
On a cold, slightly drizzly Tuesday evening in Bristol, Jordan Rakei provided an intimate evening of soul and jazz in celebration of his third album Origins, through the warmth of ethereal harmonies and poetic lyrics.
LIVE REVIEW: The Murder Capital
Sean Turnland
Sean Turnland reviews The Murder Capital’s bristol gig, waxing poetical on this post-punk band’s dichotomy of masculinity and vulnerability.
LIVE REVIEW: Swim Deep
Serafina Lee
Serafina Lee reviews Swim Deep’s Bristol gig, reminiscing about her younger self’s love for the cult-favourite indie band.
