SUNRISE DEMOS (EXPANDED EDITION)

The Helio Sequence’s “lost” record “Sunrise Demos” is out now on Bandcamp! Previously only available in an extremely limited quantity available with pre-orders and on tour, the newly expanded and remastered digital edition of “Sunrise Demos” includes 4 unreleased tracks. (15 tracks total, 54 minutes.) Read below to hear the full story:

It all began with the “20-Song Game.” Some of our friends had been playing and explained the idea: everyone gets one day to record 20 songs. In the evening, you get together, listen to the results and talk about the process. The goal is to give up the overthinking that can stifle creativity, to break free of inhibitions and run with momentum. Inspired by this idea, we decided that we would play a sort of elongated “20-Song Game” to write our new record.

Starting in May of 2014, we gave ourselves one month to write as many songs as we could. We set out making keyboard loops, guitar passages, ambient sketches: anything and everything that was inspired in the moment. We worked separately at times, alone in the studio sketching ideas only to pass them off to each other. We also recorded a series of live jams together, playing to keyboard loops without any premeditation while improvising and keeping only first takes.

By June, we had transformed countless jams and fragments into 26 songs. In the continuing spirit of the “20-Song Game,” we gave the demos to a large group of our friends and family and asked them to give us feedback. The 10 songs with the most votes became our self-titled LP. We took 11 of the remaining songs and made the limited edition CD release the Sunrise Demos, which was only available with advance album orders and on tour.

Over the years the Sunrise Demos has become a kind of “lost” Helio Sequence record. The few who picked up one of the CD copies have written us often to say how much they love it and wish it would see a proper release. Many who have never heard it have written to us asking for a copy. And Benjamin and I have often talked together about how some of our favorite songs from that era actually ended up on Sunrise Demos.

We’re so happy to finally release the Sunrise Demos (Expanded Edition) for everyone to hear! We’ve added four previously unreleased tracks and remastered everything. All of these songs hold a special place in our hearts. Some of them are less finished than others, but we’ve left them as they are, blemishes and all. We’re hopeful that what comes through is the sense of possibility and the joy of living in the moment that drove us through that special time. Thanks for listening!

ACES: A QUADROPHONIC SURROUND COMPANION FOR NEGOTIATIONS

04/30/2020: In addition to the "Sunrise Demos (Expanded Edition)", "Aces: A Quadrophonic Surround Companion for Negotiations" will be out this Friday May 1st on Bandcamp. Revenue shares on release day will graciously be waived by both Bandcamp and Sub Pop and all proceeds will benefit the band directly. "Aces" will be FREE with a "pay-what-you-want" option ;)

Learn more:

ACES IS NOT A STAND ALONE RECORD.
IT IS A QUADROPHONIC SURROUND COMPANION FOR “NEGOTIATIONS”.

Here are a few guidelines and ideas for setup and use:

ACES is meant to be played simultaneously with the Negotiations album on two different stereo systems to create an enhanced spatial experience. Set up two independent stereo systems with speakers facing towards each other and the listener placed in the middle of the stereo fields as shown in the diagram. The "Original" source of Negotiations should be played through "Speakers A" with the listener facing forward. The "Companion" source should be played through "Speakers B" to the rear of the listener. Start both sources in sync by pressing play at the same time on each independent system to hear a spatially enhanced version of Negotiations. Volume of the "Companion" source can be varied to create subtle to extreme experiences. The material on the "Companion" source can also be delayed (ideally anywhere within ~100ms) to create a bigger and more spacious effect by simply waiting for a very short amount of time after the "Original" is started to press play on the "Companion" system. Delay times of longer than 100ms will create more psychedelic and chaotic effects.For best results it is not recommended to start the "Companion" source before the"Original". It should be noted that every media player and computer sound card has a different internal clock, so the "Original" and "Companion" sources may slowly drift apart over time. In some cases it may be necessary to resync at the beginning of each song. There are no hard rules, so feel free to experiment and get creative with placement and playback variation. Overall, the results aren't meant to be precise, but rather ethereal and spacious. Enjoy!

POET DERRICK C. BROWN W/THE HELIO SEQUENCE (FREE DOWNLOAD)

04/03/2020: We had the honor of touring with poet Derrick C. Brown in 2014. Every night he would get up in front of an unsuspecting rock venue audience who was expecting the usual opening band and bravely read his poems. I was struck every night by how the crowd would go from bewildered chattering and dismissal to a fully engaged, hushed reverence over the course of his set. Derrick connects and communicates. He speaks to something deep inside us. He makes music with words.

When he came through Portland later that year, he asked us to accompany his reading on the always awesome Livewire Radio show and it was one of the most memorable performances I’ve ever been a part of. I listened back to it for the first time in years just this morning and I was both cracking up and fighting back tears. There’s so much humor and beauty in his work. And btw…if you’re a Nick Cave fan you GOTTA have a listen. Trust me…

Last night I tuned into Derrick’s Instagram Live stream. Every Thursday and Friday night at 9 pm PST he’ll be reading his poetry (and drinking a bit of wine, hah)…starting with his newest book “How the Body Works the Dark” which comes out on May 4, and going backwards through his bibliography. You should definitely tune in! His poetry is everything we need in these unsure times…humor, joy, sex, beauty, sadness, silliness, reflection, hope, darkness, light, honesty…life.   

For more visit:
https://brownpoetry.com/
https://writebloody.com/

“GO TO SLEEP, MALVINA” (FREE DOWNLOAD)

03/25/2020: It’s been strange lately for us all, I know. Benjamin and I dismantled our studio and have taken setups home to work remotely while we’re riding out the “shelter-in-place” with our families. Like everyone, I’ve been dealing with the anxiety of not knowing how things will look in the future. Worried how we’ll make it through this economically and if we’ll be able keep our studio space. Thinking about the longer term recession and its effects. Wondering how my daughters are going to finish the school year.  Concerned for our parents, my lovely 94 year old neighbor Peg, and other older folks who are more vulnerable to the virus. And feeling for all of our amazing friends in the music world and beyond who have lost their jobs suddenly, had to cancel tours and shutter their businesses.

I had a particularly hard time a couple nights ago and sat up trying to fight back a panic attack until 4 am while the rest of my family slept. I tossed and turned in bed until I had to go downstairs and pace around for long time. This got me to thinking: we could all use a good lullaby in times like these. Something to calm us down. Assure us. Soothe us.

I wrote this song “Go to Sleep, Malvina” for my daughter a few years back. It wasn’t something I was ever thinking of putting on a Helio Sequence record…just an idea that came to me all at once that I wanted to capture in the moment. I recorded it into my phone, singing and playing with my acoustic at the same time and adding a little piano line refrain after. I showed it to my kids and they loved it. So I sing it for them often as a bedtime song while they’re all cuddled in their covers.

I hope this little lullaby may bring a bit of peace and solace to you (and your little ones’) nights! I’m an optimist. I guess you wouldn’t name an album Keep Your Eyes Ahead if that wasn’t the case, hah. I know we’ll all make it through this and there are good days ahead and beautiful moments to be had even during these tough times. Hang in there and be well!

 Big (socially distanced) hugs to everyone…

 Brandon