{"title":"Helvetia","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHelvetia is an independent and experimental alternative music group hailing from Seattle, Washington. Formed by Jason Albertini after the disbandment of Duster, Helvetia released their debut record \"The Clever North Wind\" in 2006 on The Static Cult Label, distributed by Up Records. They gained national exposure by touring with Built To Spill. Led by Jason Albertini and supported by a rotating live lineup, including C. Dove Amber, Jim Roth, and Scott Plouf, Helvetia's third release \"Headless Machine of the Heart\" (2008) was recorded entirely on a 4-track tape machine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eContinuing to release music through The Static Cult Label under Clay Parton's guidance (a fellow member of Duster), Helvetia draws inspiration from Switzerland - Albertini's childhood home - as evident in their name which refers to the female personification of the country. Over the years, they have put out seven releases on The Static Cult Label between 2006 and 2011 while sharing stages with notable bands like Built To Spill and Meat Puppets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKnown for his raw and experimental songwriting style, Albertini primarily records Helvetia's albums himself using a 4-track recorder. Their album \"Dromomania,\" set to be released on October 2nd via Joyful Noise Recordings, showcases influences ranging from '70s Kinks to Captain Beefheart and\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"this-devastating-map","title":"This Devastating Map","description":"\u003cp\u003eRecommended If You Like: Acetone, Chad VanGaalen, Duster, Built to Spill, Modest Mouse. Helvetia were formed in Seattle in 2005 by Jason Albertini. Since the band's inception, he's employed a rotating cast of band members and collaborators, which now includes Steve Gere and Samantha Stidham. Albertini is 1\/3 of the group Duster, who spent 2019 releasing a new album and playing shows for the first time in 20 years. Naturally, Helvetia share a lot of the same sensibilities, pushing Duster's boundary-bending ideals even further out with a mix of odd pop and eccentric oddities. Helvetia made their debut in 2006 with \u003ci\u003eThe Clever North Wind\u003c\/i\u003e (released on Duster bandmate Clay Parton's Static Cult label), followed by \u003ci\u003eThe Acrobats \u003c\/i\u003e(2008) and \u003ci\u003eHeadless Machine Of The Heart\u003c\/i\u003e (2009). With each release, Helvetia explored more psych-influenced territory, further developing their take on slow core. After a handful of additional releases for The Static Cult, Albertini relocated to Portland, Oregon, and released 2012?s \u003ci\u003eNothing In Rambling\u003c\/i\u003e, his first with Joyful Noise Recordings. Albertini joined Built To Spill on bass the same year, and the two bands shared members and toured together. \u003ci\u003eDromomania\u003c\/i\u003e, Helvetia's eighth LP, was released in October 2015, followed by the\u003ci\u003e Sun Chasers\u003c\/i\u003e EP in 2017. Albertini continued to play bass for Built To Spill until 2019, when Duster started playing shows again. After a very busy year of touring, Albertini spent the summer recording \u003ci\u003eThis Devastating Map\u003c\/i\u003e at his home studio. While the mighty Duster dwelled in a broken down space station lost to the cosmos, Helvetia's sound is decidedly more earthbound: guitars sparkle and soar beyond their means with hushed vocals transcribing aching personal struggles. Helvetia ditches conventional song structure in favor of bouts of repetition in which Albertini rewards the listener with unlikely hooks, juxtaposing memorable figures with odd shapes that desire repeated listens. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Joyful Noise Recordings","offers":[{"title":"White | LP","offer_id":50498729443659,"sku":"1096373","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7cac6be9-93ff-49ce-b8be-425b0fa096bb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727755649"},{"product_id":"essential-aliens","title":"Essential Aliens","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eEssential Aliens\u003c\/i\u003e is the 10th Helvetia album. Helvetia is the solo project of Jason Albertini from Duster. The songs on \u003ci\u003eEssential Aliens\u003c\/i\u003e were recorded over the last year in Jason's basement. Helvetia resides in Portland, Oregon but was formed in Seattle, Washington in 2005 after Duster first went on hiatus. Since the band’s inception, Jason has continued to employ a rotating cast of band members and collaborators, which now includes Steve Gere and Samantha Stidham. Steve and Jason also played in Built To Spill together from 2012 until 2018. In 2019 Duster started playing shows and recording again. During this time Jason started writing what would become \u003ci\u003eThis Devastating Map\u003c\/i\u003e. Released at the beginning of August last year, it was described as “a constantly shifting project that takes experimental lo-fi into brilliantly colored psych directions with a concise glow.” Then the pandemic took hold. With normal life at a standstill and unable to hang with his bandmates, Jason focused his energy on his daughter’s home-schooling schedule, and recording. He focused on finishing one song a day and was soon honing in on a brand new album.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecommended If You Like: Acetone, Chad VanGaalen, Duster, Built to Spill, The Olivia Tremor Control, Spirit of the Beehive. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Joyful Noise Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Clear | LP","offer_id":50500756177227,"sku":"1130722","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50500757061963,"sku":"1135219","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/eae47ab7-9339-405e-be92-90c40bd601d9_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727779632"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_d33f0948_thumbnail_4096_15f13b3e-bf4a-4beb-a0cf-24fde1fc1f8c.jpg?v=1727755630","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/helvetia.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}