In a world increasingly dominated by noise and light and chaos and confusion, sometimes the most heartfelt – or violent – gesture is one of almost complete stillness. The ability to remain still at the centre of all things and observe the subtle machinations of that which surrounds us – sometimes a whispered word can be the loudest sound. The music of Heliopause encapsulates this sensation, music and words reflecting the ebb and flow of the tides, as layer upon layer combines to make a perfect sound forever.
Songwriter Richard Davis is best known for his work as a filmmaker and animator (whose work includes music promos for Fighting With Wire, Cat Malojian, Skibunny and Panda Kopanda) but since 2006 he has also been making a name for himself as a prolific songwriter with Heliopause.
Heliopause became Belfast’s exciting newcomers to the already vibrant and creative scene, making their debut in February 2006. Their sound has been compared to the likes of American Analog Set and Mice Parade and have entertained audiences across Ireland, supporting Wintersleep, Frightened Rabbit, Uzi & Ari, Quasi, Gravenhurst and New York’s Jeffrey & Jack Lewis whilst also playing at BBC Electric Proms Next Stage Tour, Ladyfest Berlin, Curfew Festival and Innishfree Festival.
DOWNLOAD HELIOPAUSE @ iTUNES
Praise for the Moment of Recognition single - David Roy in the Irish News says:
Heliopause [keep] the volume turned down to a civilised level on the title track, which features twinkling finger picked guitars, stuttering, brushed drums and some choice backing vocals from Cutaways’ Grace McMacken. A beautiful, delicately poised song that perfectly captures the unmistakable tingle of falling in love, Moment of Recognition should be an essential addition to any romantically inclined mix CD you might be planning this summer.
and this is from an interview with Rich and Chris in the last issue of Hot Press:
To date, the band have been notable for the artful way in which they slip smartly off-centre ideas into apparently straight-forward songs. The Moment Of Recognition, sees a continuation – and refinement – of the bands M.O.
In places, the songs are so sparse, they’re almost diaphanous, but bend in closer and you’ll be startled by the quality of the detail. While the two tracks on offer, the title-cut and ‘Mon Peu Rimbaud’, differ in tempo and volume – they’re instantly recognisable as blood relatives.
In fact, if you were to guess they were written and recorded in a huddle, you wouldn’t be too far off the mark.
“We took off to a small house in the country around Glenarm,†Richard reveals. “It did a lot of good. It was great to get that kind of freedom. It’s so rare when you live in the city and everyone has day jobs that you get an opportunity to concentrate fully on the music, or even just to hang out together. It was a really great place. There was no real phone network and no wireless access. No one to bother us.â€
If the haunting, quietly choral, ‘Mon Peu Rimbaud’ is anything to go by, splendid isolation inspires startling results for Heliopause.
Review of Dark Matter EP:
Understated but oddly overwhelming, Heliopause create songs that tiptoe their way into your affections. Everything is beautifully measured, guitars chiming like a spoon striking the rim of a fine china cup, the pitter-patter rhythms evoking the image of rain beating against the windowpane of a lonely cottage.
Understated but oddly overwhelming, Heliopause create songs that tiptoe their way into your affections. Everything is beautifully measured, guitars chiming like a spoon striking the rim of a fine china cup, the pitter-patter rhythms evoking the image of rain beating against the windowpane of a lonely cottage.
This is daydream stuff, woozy, blissful, satisfying. Others might like their thrills more bullish, but Heliopause reward patience and those who take the time to properly befriend this record will be amply rewarded. The central pivot is ‘Lullaby’, a song of devastating purity, spectral and startling. Throughout the male / female vocals are delicate, the delivery either hushed or tickling like a lover’s breath against the ear. And yet, for all the shimmering gorgeousness, Heliopause are more than capable of wrestling the air from your lungs. Note ‘Dark Ink, a song which blots the moment like a depth charge, pulling us under with a swathe of fierce guitar and cascading drums.
Mesmerising.
- AU Magazine
