Band:
Helene Richter (Germany) – voice & effects
Arno Bakker (Netherlands) – sousaphone
Jorrit Westerhof (Netherlands) – guitar & electronics
Gerri Jäger (Austria) – drums
Management:
helene.m.richter@gmail.com
With shocking effect and energy HALA explores a diverse theatrical interplay based on the vocalist Helene Matthia’s fairytale-like compositions. Their music sounds nearly absurdist and evil, and scatters from progressive rock, avant-pop and (free) improvisation to avant-garde and cabaret… At times it feels as if Nina Hagen got lost in a Tim Burton movie. With Helene Matthia on voice, Arno Bakker on sousaphone, Jorrit Westerhof on guitar and Gerri Jäger on drums.
The band was formed in 2017 in the basement of Atelier “Il sole in cantina”, Cantina Records in Groningen, which is known for its experimental journeys. They have released three EP’s: “Hala” (2018), “Blueberry Ink” (2019) and “How Do You Do” (2022).
A few highlights of their performances were Jazzfestival Karlsruhe 2018, ZomerJazzFietsTour Groningen 2019, Schnittpunkte der Musik Festival Austria 2021, RAUW x Jazzinternational Rotterdam 2022, Perifest Deventer 2023 and Space Is The Place x Cinetol Summer Festival Amsterdam 2023.
In July 2022 they’ve had a successful release tour of their new EP How Do You Do – to Germany, Austria and Slovenia.
