The Helio Sequence Live
Free Show at Music Millenium This Past Friday
Beaverton-based indie rock band, The Helio Sequence, released their fifth full length album, Negotiation 2000 s, on Tuesday. The band put on slough of free shows at music stores to promote the release. On Friday, The Helio Sequence entertained Portlanders gathered at Music Millennium on Burnside. The ground floor of the front room was filled with excitement for the free concert, and at 7p.m. synth-laced rock filled the filled the air from the balcony. Brandon Summers' powerful vocals combines with Benjamin Weikel's dramatic drum playing to create a sound and performance that musically excites and satisfies while being visually engaging.
The sounds of singer guitarist Brandon Summers, and drummer keyboardist Benjamin Weikel evolved by necessity over the past 14 years. Two years, 2004 and 2009, have had marked impacts. These transitional years changed the sound of The Helio Sequnce, inching it all the closer to what it is today.
2004 proved to be a year of change for The Helio Sequence. They released their first album with record label Sub Pop. The album, Love and Distance, was a huge success. The band toured across the U.S. and Europe with Blonde Redhead, Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon, and Secret Machines. Early into the tour Brandon's voice gave out so he self medicated by remaining silent all day, making due as best he could during the performances at night. Upon his homecoming, Brandon's voice was so damaged that he had to take a two month reprieve from singing, then re-learn the art all together. He devoted himself to a more focused life; one of intentional vocal exercises, scheduled practice and recording hours, and a healthy lifestyle.
2009 would be another year opportunity through disaster. While on tour, the duo's practice and recording space was flooded by heavy rainfall and an overwhelmed drainage system. Though most of their important equipment and instruments were either on tour with them or stored out of reach of the flooding water, they still needed to find a new space. A 1,500 square foot space in an old industrial warehouse provided exactly what they needed; a private space that could be used at any time without interference from other bands or worry of disturbing the neighbors. This new space allowed them to massage their craft by working at any and all hours and experimenting with analog equipment. The new, warmer sounds flowing through their most recent album, Negotiations, exist because of their workspace and production studio.
The sound of The Helio Sequence has changed over the past 14 years, but it hasn't betrayed itself. If anything, each progression has refined and focused the sound making it more its own. The warm, synthesizer layered sounds of Negotiations won't disappoint devotees of The Helio Sequence, though it will leave them asking why they weren't at Music Millennium on Friday.
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