Sultry disco-botherer Citizen Helene is a singer, songwriter and guitarist based in London. She is set to release her debut 7″ single, ‘How Can You Find Someone To Love / Bridges’ on wiaiwya on 7th June, and is celebrating the fact with a show at Servant Jazz Quarters.

Helene has been compared to matrons of 60’s pop Margo Guryan, Karen Carpenter and Joni Mitchell, while her intricate electric guitar playing, insightful lyrics and incredible outfits could sit anywhere between Grace Jones and Todd Rundgren.

Her sunshine pop and caramel vocals have been described as ‘baroque and beautiful’ by Darian Sahanaja of the Brian Wilson Band and like ‘English pop-sike crossed with a honey-soaked Californian sunset’.

Since moving from Dorset to London in 2004, Helene has supported artists with a kindred sound, including the High Llamas, Ed Harcourt and Liam Bailey. She’s also collaborated with musicians as diverse as Kiran Leonard, Darren Hayman and The Memory Band. In addition, Helene is a singer and percussionist in former Death in Vegas guitarist Ian Button’s band, Papernut Cambridge, and sings and plays guitar with Mary Epworth.

Helene’s first EP ‘Citizen Helene’ was released in 2011 on her own label, Fair Maiden Records. Produced by Jeremy Radway (Player Piano), the EP received national and local radio airplay (BBC 6 Music, BBC London, Amazing Radio) and features BBC Folk Award-winning guitarist Sam Carter and avant-garde string ensemble the Elysian Quartet.

‘Like the love child of Karen Carpenter and Brian Wilson’ – Word Magazine

‘Her voice. It’s like hot chocolate being poured in your ears’ – We Write Lists

‘A wonderful voice and a real talent has been discovered – highly recommended’ – No Ripcord

https://wiaiwya.bandcamp.com/album/how-can-you-find-someone-to-love-bridges