DJ Helena

Pay close attention!" cries Dave Lee of Gatecrasher. "Helena is a fast rising superstar."

Perhaps a mis-spent youth, this British born music junkie was organising raves, throwing parties, DJ'ing and promoting throughout her turbulent school years. By the ripe age of 25, not only had she run amuck in Ibiza, working for MTV, Manumission, Eden and Pacha; she also managed and promoted the UK Superclub Sundissential for 8 years. This meant entertaining over 55,000 of the craziest cats in the UK, as well as being involved in staging Europe's major festivals working alongside dance music heavyweights Gatecrasher and Godskitchen.

In 2003 Helena turned her hand to DJing and since then has been "one to watch" so says DJ Mag's -world top 20 - Eddie Halliwell. She has played across three continents at world class clubs and events like Gatecrasher Summer Sound System (UK), Ministry of Sound (SIN), Sensation (AUS), Pacha (UK), Space (Ibiza), Gatecrasher (UK), Funkissential (UK), Hed Kandi, as well as Australian institutions like Chinese Laundry, Platinum, Limelite, Family, the list goes on…

Currently based in her second home, Sydney, Australia, she's got a clear ambition to be the queen of clubs Down Under. "I am totally focused on the number one female DJ crown. I won't stop til I claim my throne!" she recently professed to Australia's biggest dance site, In The Mix.

Seems Helena's not alone in her quest… Industry leaders Pioneer Pro DJ have named her as the new face of "She DJ", cementing her in the psyche of all aspiring females and putting her in the company of the world's best artists. She is also officially sponsored by Religion, Buddhist Punk and House Of The Gods; the unique youth fashion brands bringing forward the sexy chic of the twenty first century, embracing beauty with power and pure rock star.

But 2009 is all about the production... The first release is due to hit the WMC in a BIG way. A massive remix of the old Subliminal tune "Coracao" which is already causing quite a stir with DJs and clubbers alike. More tracks to come include remixes for bassline bad boy Micky Slim on Bomb Squad, her own originals and as well as work with an array of vocalists and MCs.

Her energetic, upfront, "no holds barred" style; makes electro, tech, fidget, house, tribal and techno melt into one. Helena's presence on stage is revered by all including Australia's biggest dance act - The Potbelleez. "She has a talent that has to be seen to be believed." It's really no wonder the offers are coming thick and fast for this sassy Bristolian misfit.

Sensation will feature: TV Rock, Kaz James, Dirty South, The Mix, Roger Sanchez, Sebastian Ingrosso, Richard Durand, Sied van Riel, Binary Finary, Trent McDermott, Dr Willis, Marlo, Papa Smurf, Frost, Joop, Andy Murphy, Ben Morris, Bright White, Cauc-Asian DJs, Chardy, Dan Miatt, Dave Pham, Dr Zok b2b Jen Tutty, Hoops, Helena, James Rosales, Jane and Ben Daffy, Jody McLeod, Jules Jay, Kikumoto Allstars, Luke McD, Mark John, Mr Stoj, Rowie, Ruby Rose, Stav Elliott, Tribal Kings, Zelimar.

Sensation: 'The Ocean of White'
Etihad Stadium
December 31,2009.
Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster - www.ticketmaster.com.au

Helena

Interview with Helena

How did the Sensation gig come about?

Helena: I played for the Sensation guys last year, my manager obviously sorted the gig, it was insane, 40,000 people dressed in white going off, the production was world class, I actually closed the whole event last year, I didn't realise the only rooms had stopped, I had to let my last track play out even though they were trying to shut me down!

I think I must of played okay as they have asked me back again this year!

What are you most looking forward to for Melbourne Sensation New Year's Eve?

Helena: The whole vibe of the event, its such a huge production the decor, visuals and whole visual aspect of seeing 40,000 dressed in white going off, its spectacular to say the least, Sensation know how to put on a party. It's sensational (excuse the pun) I'm really looking forward to playing.

Besides the actual event personally I'm looking forward to my set, playing all my bootlegs out I have been making the last week and testing my demo version of my first single, I won't give any more details they will have to work out which track it is, pretty excited to play it out on NYE, it will be it's first public airing.

It's very important to get crown reaction and to hear how it sounds on the big system, so you can then pull it back and make any changes or edits you noticed in action.

How did it feel to hear your songs played all over the airwaves?

Helena: Ask me that again next year ;) as that's when I'm looking to get this single rolling, I hope it crosses over to the radio waves I'd be pretty pumped to hear it driving along, I can imagine it's a total buzz!

Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Helena: I didn't really allow myself a chance to have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry, I got thrown in at the deep end of the industry when I was just turned 17, I learnt very quickly how to swim with the sharks, I became wise to all the games, high's and low's of the music scene, not much fazes me to be honest.

What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Helena: I love producers like Wolfgang Gartner, Laidback Luke, Swedish House Mafia, Bingo players, Dave Spoon, Mowgli, Claude von Stroke, Bass Kleph, Hook and Sling amongst others, my sets are pretty varied though as far as music styles, so I follow various different producers.

I am very into my tech and techno also I play a lot of that when I am mixing at home, I am on very on my music I spend hours and hours searching all over for new and different tracks.

What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Helena: The single is my main priority at the moment getting that finished totally and released, I have a few different tracks on the go though so I'm working on these when I'm not concentrating on the single.

When the single is released I'll be touring it next yr, I also have a mix album in the pipeline hopefully, which I am really excited about.

Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Helena: Throwing in the towel was never an option as id be playing music regardless of whether I made it professionally or not, it's my life, what I love, I have just been very fortunate that I have been able to carve myself a successful career out of my passion and talents.

All the time i have been involved in the industry each thing has been a natural progression onto the next, I can't imagine myself doing anything else.

Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Helena: Performing live for me breathes life into what I do, I get a buzz from live shows that i'll still sometimes be feeling the adrenalin through the week from it.

Producing is newer to me, but I'm so keen to be the best I can be, I sit for hours on end making beats and tracks, I lose track of time in it.

Each beat i do is better than the last, I always push myself musically, production has become very addictive to me.

What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Helena: Working in Ibiza was a huge inspiration for me to go into the music industry professionally, I was working out there when I was 17 for two seasons and was one of the most fun and crazy times of my life, when I got back to the UK I knew this is what I wanted to do.

I had set the foundations for this though when I was much younger, I used to hang in my friends garage and play happy hardcore on the decks when I was 14 and me and my friends used to put on local raves in the village hall.

It was just what we were into my brother is also a DJ, so I was surrounded by music and DJ's for as long as I can remember.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Helena: The main hurdles I think for any female musician is proving yourself to your piers, that people look past your looks and see you as a credible artist and a force to be reckoned with.

This doesn't happen over night as people are quick to judge and make their mind up about you without seeing you play, I have had to go round and smash these boundaries down by club by club, these days I don't come across too much of it, I'm building my reputation on music and skill before anything else.

You can't ride off your looks and the fact your a girl you won't get any respect and a short lived career in the music industry, you have to be able to back yourself up and blow expectations if you want to compete with the best of them.

What's a typical day like?

Helena: Woken up by 2 dogs at 8am. Peanut butter on toast and a coffee. Downloading new music. Bootlegging music. 8 hours of production. In-between this a smash on the decks, trying to manage the crazy dogs, spend time with my boy and my friends.

Music takes up most my week and then every weekend includes touring airports, hotels, clubs, DJ'ing and airport delays.

You have to be able to amuse yourself or you'll go mad waiting around in airports on your own every weekend.

What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?

Helena: Being able to push the scene forward with my music, style and sound, being a small part of the history of house music, entertaining people making sure they have a good night, a good DJ makes or breaks someone's night out in a club, I buzz off performing and delivering my music to people.

If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Helena: Laidback Luke, he is the most consistent for me with regards to ongoing quality productions, besides him I would love to do a track with Fake Blood, it would be pretty off the hook.

Are you single? What do you look for in a partner?

Helena: I am in a relationship, in a partner he has to make me laugh, after the raw attraction and chemistry which firstly draws you to someone, if they can't hold my attention with wit and laughter, its a non event.

Do you have a website fans can visit?

Helena: Yeah I have various networking sites I can't keep up!
www.myspace.com/djhelena
www.mydjspace.com/helena www.twitter.com/DjHelena
www.facebook.com/Helena

Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Helena: Peanut Butter, studded shoes, CDJ 2000's, T-Bags and dogs

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