Helena Faust Mountain Music

From deep within the Appalachian Old-time traditions, Helena brings the songs of the pioneers, old gospels and her own mountain-forged originals and will be performing a 1 hour set on banjo and fiddle at the iconic Lytleton Wunderbar. She will be supported by local Christchurch Oldtime duo 'The Squirrely Bills'.

A Bit of Bio:

After spending 10 years in West Virginia steeped in the local traditions and performing with the award-winning band ‘The Raincrows.’ Helena carried a wealth of tradition with her when she moved back to NZ in 2003. She formed the groups Cotton Daisy Backstep [trad] and the Faustians [originals] and began playing around the Wellington area at events such as CupaDupa, Newtown Festival, Wellington Gardens Magic, and Wellington Folk festival [first place for People’s Choice Award].

As a solo act Helena stands firm with her strong mountainy vocals, accompanied with clawhammer banjo or fiddle. The old songs are brought to life with foot stomping Oldtime rhythms. Her originals evoke a dystopian landscape of dust and creaking pines - "dark, rebellious and spiked with wry humour."

A stand out for one reviewer is her “hurricane Harvey story, “Knit One Pearl”, about an elderly lady who carried on knitting as the flood rose to her waist.” Kevin Iken, Acoustic Routes Wellington Folk Club. You will be immersed in a unique, rich and mesmerising Old-time world.

A homemade CD ‘Arc Blade’ will be available.