Be Wise

BE WISE

An instrumental, arpeggiated dance track inspired by both very distant and local light emitting objects. An underlying wave moves through the track replicating the transmission of light. The music panning is very fluid and of course, a thumping 4 to the floor bass line (best listened with headphones).

Nebula Among Us

When I was asked 'what bird's THAT?' when the track started I realised that it's not common knowledge that most birds have at least two 'sounds'. Their 'song' and their warning call and sometimes another sound as well. Blackbirds are often heard but perhaps we don't link all their three sounds to the same bird. In addition to the 'song' which is pretty familiar, there's the 'pinking' sound as I call it, which can go on for quite some time, often in the evening or morning when there's no one else around, so you can hear it clearly. Then there's the call they make as they fly off alarmed, which is quite involved, with a tuneful squark over a few seconds, creating an arc of sound in the sky. The beginning of this track captures two blackbirds having an altercation. 

This track caused me a lot of problems. I created the tune for the blackbird first, like I did with the Thrush. However, I just couldn’t get any musical accompaniment to work. And then it dawned on me (ha!!), I was trying it in the wrong key and it’s actually A minor not A Major. (60bpm)

Once I had made that adjustment, it fell into place. I feel this track is the one of the most lively ‘dance’ type tracks and love the variety it adds to the track listing and the whole overall experience of the album.

I know people say that the album is dead. And that no one has got time to listen to a whole album of music. So I had to think long and hard about whether to leave some of these tracks out and have it as an EP. Then I thought, is the album dead? Does anyone listen to them? Well, I do. I love listening to my records in particular. Really immersing myself in the experience. Being present in the moment, doing nothing else. Just listening. It’s something we don’t do much of these days. So many demands on our time. So if you are listening to this album for the first time, all the way through, in the order I’ve curated for you, thank you.

Blackbird Has Spoken

A world wide collaboration!
We hope you enjoy this original track which has been augmented by forty voices from around the globe. Extremely grateful to everyone who responded to my call to arms, to help me with this first 'proper' vocal track I've written and now released. This track is being released in aid of charity - Help Musicians. 
It is out on 17th December 2021. www.helefonix.co.uk 

Thanks to the contributors, not just the chorus vocals but additional embellishments, sent in unasked, by My Girl The River, Emily Zuzik and Verity White. Which you can hear throughout the track. There's also some lush cello thanks to Nanette from Juliet and Nanette. Some beats from Frankie and Riki Abi. And voices sharing season felicitations from all around the world - China, Australia, USA, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Austria, France. 

Thanks also to Jackie Weaver and Ian McMillan who agreed to collaborate on another track with me! It's been an honour to create this track and I am humbled to have everyone's voices on it. It sounds SO much better now!!!

Thanks to 
Emily Zuzik, LA, USA
Alan Neilson
Neil March
Demiurgo (Italy)
Sarah McQuaid 
Blokeacola (China)
Frankie and Riki Abi (Turkey)
Ditsea Yella
Jon Ogara

Verity White
With Sun
The Brothers Burn
Serious Child
Alex Elbro
Amongst the Pigeons
Jackie Weaver
My Girl The River
Kid Apollo

The West View
Found Object
Keeley (Dublin, Ireland)
Juliet and Nanette
Kay Burden from Platronic (Germany)
Soricah
Trevas
Felix Tigersonic

Echoes of Aphelion (Spain)
PulrR Music (Germany)
Fishing 4 Compliments
Michael Donoghue (Jersey)
Minnie Birch
Joe Rose
Warteraum (Austria)
Delowusu
Morning’s Thief
Caboan (Denmark)
Chris West (Australia)
Ian McMillan


Please donate to Help Musicians (benevolent fund)charity by buying the download!
https://helefonix.bandcamp.com/track/were-gonna-have-some-fun

Helefonix and the Harmonix - We're Gonna Have Some Fun

A doc I made for Resonance FM for their MoreWomxn November 2021 Residency.

I interviewed eleven gender non-conforming or trans people about things that bring them joy. You’ll hear: queer parenthood; chosen names; tattooing as trans freedom; performance + gender euphoria; moments of intimacy between lovers and friends, and more. 

If any part of this scrappy doc speaks to you, then it is for you. I hope that everyone finds some queer joy in it.

Contributions from illustrator and artist Laurie Gibbs, activist and writer Kestral Gaian, actor and performer Maddison Bulleyment, poet and playwright Joelle Taylor, self-proclaimed Dad CJ Rivers (plus baby Micah!), audio producer Arlie Adlington, tattoo artist Rat(@doughyrats on insta), violinist Aliayta-Foon Dancoes, arts producer Ruby Dixon, audio producer Daisy Grant(and their girlfriend who is also called Daisy lol), radio presenter Carrie Morrison, musician Sarah McCabe, psychotherapist Hannah Graham and their partner George, composer Rob Reid Allan, composer Alex Tay, and performance artist Eden Clark. 

Thanks to Katie Callin for giving me the hour and for being an all round queer babe. Resonance FM is a charitable, community radio station and didn't pay me for this work. If you enjoyed it maybe you would like to support my work by buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/brideyac

QUEER JOY: The MW Residency

Music Written & Performed by Esslemont
Lyrics Written By Jack Taylor
Vocals by Jack Taylor
Esslemont Sounds 2022

Taken from the EP 'The Sledge with You'
Available on Bandcamp

Brown Suits & Pale Blue Shirts

Temptation

JUNE 15, 2022 (SHOW #14) - ARTIST & TRACKLIST (IN ORDER PLAYED); Bandcamp Links Below


BLAKLIGHT -  Waiting (Solar Fake Remix) 
MAX PROJECT - Synthwave Portal
COOLMOWEE - I Will Follow You (House Remix) 
CASSETTER ft. MAXTHOR - Flashback 
HATIF - Pool 
THALREX - Atlantis
FORGOTTEN WORLD - io
BEDES - One Nine - 99
HEARTBEATHERO - (ARTIST SPOTLIGHT) - Starchild (Radio Edit)
HEARTBEATHERO - (ARTIST SPOTLIGHT) - The Sweetness of my Tears 
FUTURE ANALOG - Your Heart 
JONNY FALLOUT - Only One (Love Song) 
SUNSET COP - Artificial Paradise 
PATIENT82 - Ghost (ft. To See Beyond the Shadows)
ATLAS NEON  - Spartan 117 
DREW KNIGHT & STAR MADMAN - Keep Moving 
GHOST GEORGIE - Dead Memories (Goudzoeker Remix)
HELEFONIX - So Lost 
GALACTIC TAPES - Smallest Divide  

BANDCAMP LINKS ONLY (IF AVAILABLE):
https://atlasneon.bandcamp.com/track/spartan-117
https://starmadman.bandcamp.com/track/keep-moving
https://forgottenworld.bandcamp.com/track/io
https://futureanalog.bandcamp.com/track/your-heart
https://heartbeathero.bandcamp.com/track/star-child
https://heartbeathero.bandcamp.com/track/the-sweetness-of-my-tears
https://helefonix.bandcamp.com/track/so-lost
https://patient82.bandcamp.com/track/ghost-rmx-patient-82-to-see-beyond-the-shadows
https://blaklight.bandcamp.com/track/waiting-solar-fake-remix-2
https://purzynthrekords.bandcamp.com/track/max-project-synthwave-portal
https://townandtowersrecords.bandcamp.com/track/i-will-follow-you-house-remix
https://cassetter.bandcamp.com/album/flashback-feat-maxthor-single
https://hatif.bandcamp.com/track/pool
https://thalrex.bandcamp.com/track/atlantis
https://bedes.bandcamp.com/track/one-nine-99
https://retroreverbrecords.bandcamp.com/album/cybertherial-ii
https://purzynthrekords.bandcamp.com/track/artificial-paradise
https://galactictapes.bandcamp.com/track/smallest-divide

****************
SHOUT OUTS: 

1. THE 4TH SECTOR show WITH FORGED IN NEON’S ASHLEY ANITA/POPART AVE'S MICHAEL ANTHONY are planning a new show for the end of June. 

2. POPART AVE’S MICHAEL ANTHONY– THE BOTS next show is Saturday, June 18. 

3. COOLMOWEE has a new song release June 24, 2022 - a COVER VERSION of a SONG...

JUNE 15, 2022 - COOLMOWEE RDT SYNTHWAVE SHOW #14 w/ HeartBeatHero

This chord progression played by 2 Grand Piano's supported by a sparse Orchestral score is to date, the most accomplished piece of Classical Music I have written. Hampered at the time with a limited string section. I may revisit the melody and chords one day and write a piece to sing to.

• Satti •

TO THE MOON PHASE I
OUT NOW

We're producing a series of 4 mini albums (phases) called To The Moon, which will be issued leading up to the 50th anniversary of man's first footsteps on the moon. The first phase is available now.

Dreaming Of Giants.

OUT NOW!

https://www.clashmusic.com/news/jackie-weaver-supplies-the-vocal-for-this-new-electronic-track
http://open.spotify.com/album/1TbHCbNJEYiQKpvrz0Cg6p
‘You have no authority here Jackie Weaver, no authority at all’
An impromptu musical collaboration between three people ‘old enough to know better’ is about to be released into the fray! Do we have three unlikely pop stars in the making here? Stranger things have happened!
You’d have to have been on another planet over the last month to have avoided the hugely entertaining and in no small part, shocking, treatment of a female councillor at the hands of a resistant group in a certain Parish Council, south of Manchester.
Jackie Weaver became an overnight internet sensation when a young politics activist saw the video of the meeting  she was ‘troubleshooting’ and shared it online.
The calm, reasonable way in which Jackie handled the abuse was impressive and struck a few chords for people all over the world. While we’re used to hearing this kind of heckling in the House of Commons and on daytime chat shows, it was shocking to witness it in a rural parish setting.  Memes and video clips of the interactions gathered thousands of views and Jackie found herself in the midst of a media frenzy.
 
Jackie’s appeal lies largely in the WYSIWYG arena. For those under 50, to save you googling, that’s What You See Is What You Get! Ever authentic, Jackie is happy for everyone to see and hear ‘the real me’. Which is completely refreshing.
Imagine Helen’s surprise when the ‘woman of the moment’, Jackie Weaver, took the time to respond to a tweet.  Was this a spoof account perhaps? Or did it have someone else handling it? Surprising, it was neither of these. They started messaging. Helen had an idea. What about writing and producing a fun track with Jackie’s vocals articulating her ‘trade mark’ comments and somehow weaving in those of the male protagonists. Almost like a rap? Would that work? She’d never attempted anything like this before. But Jackie was game.
Within five days of talking about the concept, they had a finished track. Initially Helen had to find out what sort of music Jackie liked and what was important to her sonically so she could create an arrangement which Jackie would be happy to be featured on/associated with.  Helen also had to ascertain how the track might help support those issues close to Jackie’s heart and work out how they could incorporate that. You will no doubt hear this reference, about the campaign ‘Make A Change’, about half way through the track. Make A Change is about encouraging  greater diversity and more accurate representation in local councils. 
Once Jackie had approved the demo track, Helen’s husband, singer Joe Rose, was roped in to perform the remaining catchphrases.
One of the interesting things about this single is that everyone involved is ‘middle aged’. Jackie and Joe are both 62 and Helen Meissner is 54. Not the usual demographic for a new pop trio! “It’s not the sort of thing people our age usually embark on and that is half the fun” says Jackie.
Not one to let age stand in her way, Jackie Weaver gained her degree in Person Centred Counselling in 2017. Joe is better known locally as local accountant John Froggett and Helen didn’t start making music til she’d turned 54 last summer. None of them like conforming to stereotypes and collaborating on this track has been great fun, a smooth ride and a hugely positive experience.
Just goes to show what happens when an idea is acted upon, met with a favourable response, and delivered.
 
“Jackie Weaver’s Kicked Him Out”  by Helefonix (ft Jackie Weaver and Joe Rose)is being released on 15th March. It is a completely ‘home grown’ independent project without any involvement from the major record labels.
In a week independent artists Mogwai made the #1 spot in the album charts, is the scene set for another independent release to sail into the charts??

Jackie Weaver's Kicked Him Out

Pre Release Download

Jackie Weaver's Kicked Him Out - Helefonix ft Jackie Weaver and Joe Rose

Life is not about who you once were. It is about who you are now and who you have the potential to be.  About having fun. 
Throwing out the rule book! Thrilled to have had some lovely support from various unexpected quarters.
Teaching Darkness How To Fly was a lovely pastoral excursion, where I set some prose by Ian McMillan to local found sounds. It found a home on BBC Radio 3 (thanks to Elizabeth Alker on her Saturday morning show), and on Cery's Sunday show on 6 Music, who also shared my first 'bird as soloist' experiment Song Thrush Serenade on national radio.
These two tracks are on my debut album, Nature's Grace.

'Who Do You Wanna Be' attracted the kind attention of Tom Robinson and was honoured to make it into his broadcast mixtape on 6 Music. 
BBC Intro Channel Islands (a remix I did for Michael Donoghue) and featured in Fresh Faves from Fresh on The Net as well as on the super independent shows such as WorldWideFM thanks Nitin Sawhney, Anna Phoebe and Kayla Painter, Tim Willett's New Music Generator, Neil March's Trust The Doc show (who have both invited me to share my music at their events,) Andy Sharman's KYN Show, Amazing Radio, Rich James Electro Show, Chris West's The Tripwire, Slava and Trev's show, Russ Evans Electro show and more, many of whom play me week after week and have me as their opening or outgoing show tracks. I am so grateful. 
A collaboration with THE Jackie Weaver earlier in 2021 resulted in national TV, newspaper and radio coverage, which was huge fun.

I'm creating a range of music, from what could be viewed as classical for a modern era I guess? telling a story through notes rather than words. I also love a beat, prose and some simple phrase work (either my own voice, samples or spoken prose) and I love a bop!  so my genre is not really defined or fixed BUT people say they can tell it's my work. I've also been honoured to be asked to do remixes by a number of artists and these have been going down well.

This piece for the Featured Artists Coalition was fascinating to research and write - Ageing and Raging: https://thefac.org/news-directory/fav-insights-by-helen-meissner

Grateful to LA based magazine for this comprehensive interview!: https://shoutoutla.com/meet-helen-meissner-music-producer/

How did it all start?
A glitch in the matrix meant that Garageband ended up in my lap! (I have since moved to Logic)that's Lockdown for you!! never had any desire to write or produce before but love what's coming out in the mix and hope you do too.  
Supermassive black holes in my production knowledge of course. Happy to be guided by anyone who cares to get in touch!
It's a bit like having a baby without realising you were pregnant! There's plenty more where that came from, from other dance to more chill. The world is my oyster. (Boring bits, based in Herts, legend in my own lunchtime). Wrong side of 50, right side of life, left of centre, off of the strip. 

Old enough to know better, young enough not to care

Bring it on!!!

https://www.runninwithmyrhythm.com/2020/08/midlifemix.html?fbclid=IwAR0Ea41vTdcZ8EppwnX2BXqTIBEMW0l5f3s1osUp1wR0_fcbkn2A9C-a1Bc

Email : helefonix@gmail.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helefonix/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xXiGIzlyGqrl91hDNb66i

Blackbird Has Spoken

Helefonix

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