Browse by Artist: HELIOS

Artist:	HELIOS
Title:	Eingya
Label:	TYPE (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	TYPE 011CD

This is US-based Keith Kenniff's second full-length release as Helios, following his incredible alias Goldmund album, Corduroy Road. Eingya is very different from his work as Goldmund, as it incorporates not only his piano playing, but his delicate touch on guitar, drums and his masterful electronic production. It is an album of wordless songs, eleven carefully measured movements, each holding inside it an entire movie's worth of emotion. Beginning the album on a high with the pastoral beauty of "Bless This Morning Year," we witness a showcase of what Kenniff does best; heartbreaking guitar and piano melodies punctuated by crumbling beats and backed by the most atmospheric synthesizer sounds this side of Eno's "Apollo." Moving on, we are treated to the appetizing "Halving The Compass," which blends subtle field recording with piano melodies so beautiful they could be compared to Virginia Astley or Harold Budd. This is followed by the album's clear highlight -- "Dragonfly Across An Ancient Land;" an unsurpassable folk guitar piece with a decomposing percussive background and the sort of melodies that would turn evil tyrants into weeping babies. This is an album which could as easily appeal to fans of Nick Drake as well as Boards of Canada or even early Air; this truly has something for everyone. To put it simply -- it's gorgeous.

Artist:	HELIOS
Title:	Caesura
Label:	TYPE (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	TYPE 042CD

Boston-based multi-instrumentalist Keith Kenniff has been with Type from the very beginning, and now as Type is well into its fifth year, he offers his fifth gorgeous release. The five years have seen Keith's style evolve constantly -- from his drifting piano compositions under his Goldmund alias, to the Helios sound moving out from underneath the clipped beat-heavy electronics of Unomia and into a more unique place, even incorporating vocals on the Ayres mini album. Caesura, however, is a "proper" follow-up to the acclaimed Eingya, and sees Keith return to the instrumental sound he knows so well. In fact, in many ways Caesura is a more electronic work than its predecessors, blending layer upon layer of synthesizer and adding his assured drumming to come up with the perfect meeting of indie-pop and ambient music. The haunting cinematic element is still present of course, but these songs are more rounded and confident than any in Keith's career. From the delicate bliss of "Hope Valley Hill" which opens up the album with gauzy nostalgia and, as the title promised, hope, through the chunky pop of "Come With Nothings," it is clear that Keith's music is as arresting as it ever was. Taking cues from the lilting indie-electronics of Ulrich Schnauss and the unfussy ambience of Brian Eno, Keith manages to inject this with his knowledge as a composer. The epic harmonies of "Backlight," for instance, reveal a lightness of touch rarely heard in the genre, with sweeping synthesized chords buzzing alongside Keith's signature guitar. Accompanied by more gorgeous artwork from Matthew Woodson, Caesura is a glowing record for the winter months, and a glimmer of hope to keep the harsher seasons at bay.

Artist:	HELIOS
Title:	Unleft
Label:	UNSEEN MUSIC
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	UNSEEN 001CD

Since 2003, multi-instrumentalist and composer Keith Kenniff (aka Helios) has been a mainstay in the electronic music/IDM community with releases on influential labels such as Merck Records and Type Records as well as countless remixes and compilation appearances. His signature blending of electronics, ambience and found-sounds have garnered attention from some of the top music critics in the industry. Kenniff's cinematic soundscapes have also caught the ear of the film world both under Helios and his piano-based alter-ego Goldmund, with music appearing in feature films such as Mister Lonely by acclaimed director Harmony Korine, documentaries for the BBC and a trailer for the film Revolutionary Road. Following the release of the 2008 album, Caesura (TYPE 042CD/LP), on Type Records, Helios returns with Unleft, a collection of previously-unreleased material from his past four releases spanning almost a decade. Songs range in style from the Boards of Canada-influenced "Bounce Dive" to the slow-moving ambient drone of "The Jaguar Sun" to the earthy beats and quietly enveloping melodies of songs like "Carry With Us" that have become part of Helios' signature sound. As with his previous albums, Helios' music evokes a certain lost nostalgia from the listener; melancholic and contemplative yet hopeful as the sun's rays shine in through the clouds. Those already familiar with Keith's music will find familiar threads leading back to the previous four albums, while giving newcomers a good introduction to his prolific body of work.

Artist:	HELIOS
Title:	Live At The Triple Door
Label:	UNSEEN MUSIC
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	UNSEEN 002CD

Since 2003, multi-instrumentalist and composer Keith Kenniff (aka Helios) has been a mainstay in the electronic music/IDM community with releases on influential labels such as Merck Records and Type Records as well as countless remixes and compilation appearances. His signature blending of electronics, ambience and found-sounds have garnered attention from some of the top music critics in the industry. Kenniff's cinematic soundscapes have also caught the ear of the film world both under Helios and his piano-based alter-ego Goldmund, with music appearing in feature films such as Mister Lonely by acclaimed director Harmony Korine, documentaries for the BBC and a trailer for the film Revolutionary Road. Each year, the Decibel Festival brings artists from all over the world to participate in several days of music taking place at various venues in Seattle, Washington. Shortly after the release of his album Caesura (TYPE 042CD/LP) in 2008, Helios was asked to perform at the ambient music showcase along with fellow artists Eluvium, Deaf Center and Brian McBride. Performing on this night as a venerable one-man-band, Helios' live set features Kenniff constantly switching off on instruments, looping keyboards, guitar, and playing live drums, often pulling double duty on two instruments at once. Live At The Triple Door compiles material heard on his past albums, Unomia, Eingya (TYPE 011CD/LP) and Caesura, as well as previously-unreleased material. Professionally recorded and re-mastered, this recording (originally released as a limited CD-R-only pressing) captures a rare and special night of Helios' music, with the sounds of nature swirling in and out of Kenniff's signature brand of soothing, sun-soaked ambient electronica reminiscent of artists such as Boards Of Canada, Sigur Rós and early Brian Eno.

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