HELIOTROPES “Moonlite” (5/22; MANIMAL)
HELIOTROPES is the musical vehicle of four Brooklyn women that hail from places as wildly divergent as West Virginia, New Jersey, and California. Formed in 2009 by current members Jessica Numsuwankijkul and Amber Myers, the band eventually saw the release of 2011’s Ribbons 7″ — an offering of heavy psych numbers steeped in dark magic and new-romantic leanings with a formidable lyrical presence. Engineered by Bishop Allen’s Justin Rice, “the two tracks garnered enough buzz to propel the band to showcase appearances at SXSW 2011. The band has continued to record at Rice’s compound upstate, recently producing four yet-untitled songs that recall the phased-out, distorted intensity of the early nineties — and invoke the lush dreamworld of Twin Peaks.
Check out their new single here: Moonlite
Here at Tom Tom we are pretty big fans of the new Jeff Berner (Psychic TV) produced track! Keep an eye out for their release from Manimal (Warpaint, Chains of Love) later this month!
Members:
Nya Abudu – Bass
Cici Harrison – Drums
Amber Myers – Vocals/Percussion
Jessica Numsuwankijkul – Vocals/Guitar
Press:
“Psych. Doom. Stoner. Drone. Does that make you feel all yes yes in your no no spot? If so, this band out of Brooklyn, NY would like to make your acquaintance.” – Ritual Room
“…containing elements of shoegaze, goth and classic psych metal – Heliotropes blend influences from Spacemen 3, Spiritualized, Black Sabbath and My Blood Valentine. On this lo-fi EP, the guitar riffs are murky, the drums are bludgeoning, and the shrills of the violin are haunting. But it is California native Jessica Numsuwankijkul’s detached, wistful vocals – which bring to mind Richard Ashcroft meets Mazzy Star – that turn spacey dissonance into beautiful hypnotic rock.” – Soft Rock Renegade
“Yum, dissonant rock straight out of the early ’90s. Where have these girls been all my life? A: Brooklyn. ” – Feeslist
“To cross-reference musical genres is one thing. However, to create a new genre with your first output is brave and innovative.” – Chybucca Sounds
Links:
Brooklyn Vegan: ELKS, Heliotropes & Iron Tides @ Union Pool
Exploding In Sound: Introducing: Heliotropes
Revolt of the Apes: Band of the Week: Heliotropes
The Soda Shop: New Band To Burn One To: Heliotropes
Video Links: