Rather like the sound (and look) of this, well the bits we’ve heard at least. Heldinky, a band from Bangor, North Wales, have what appears to be a rather beautiful sounding album out today.  The album is out on Turquoise Coal, a limited edition vinyl album.released on January 5th

“Turquoise Coal are very pleased to announce the release of their third vinyl LP and first release of 2015. Miles To Go Before I Sleep is the debut release by Heldinky, a trio from Bangor, north Wales. The group have been described in one review as playing “intense, dark and hauntingly beautiful music” and elsewhere their sparse intensity has been likened to the original PJ Harvey trio”

.

“Singer, guitarist and primary songwriter Helena Palombo grew up in south London, listening to the likes of Tim Buckley, Annette Peacock, Elizabeth Frazer and Kate Bush before relocating to north Wales where she performed as a solo artist, playing at gigs and festivals around the UK, including the Glastonbury Festival. She also collaborated with Wendykurk/Dethkats guitarist Mat Watkins, before forming the current Heldinky line-up with drummer Mike McMahon (ex-Vaffan Coulo/Valleum) and bass player Dave Taylor”.

.

“The group have developed a spare, taut and atmospheric style, stripped of all superfluous ornamentation, where the spaces become as important as the notes. The songs on the album were mostly written by  Helena over the past few years, with a composition each by the other two members. The album was recorded in the drummer’s spare room, using basic recording equipment and retains a rawness that evokes their live sound.

The record features a cover of Be Bop Deluxe’s Lovers Are Mortal, the song’s composer Bill Nelson has endorsed the track – “Lovely vocal and I like the minimalist arrangement…would have enjoyed producing this for the band, keeping the same spare approach. Very nice.”

The album sleeve features a painting by Royal Academy member Peter Hollaway. The record was mixed  by Samuel Durrant at Studio Un. The Song With No Name features a guest  appearance by guitarist Hywel Edwards.

Miles To Go Before I Sleep is released as a limited edition vinyl LP on January 5th 2015 and is available from the label’s shop.

.

More tomorrow…..