Name: This Devastating Map
Brand: Helvetia

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

JNR343lp-C1

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Colour

White

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2020-08-07

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Secre­tly

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

753936906402

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: Yes / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / white

Artist

Helvetia

Genre US

Rock-Pop

Label US

Joyful Noise Recordings

Helvetia 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.

Continuing 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.

Known 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

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 Dusterʼs boundary-bending ideals even further out with a mix of odd pop and eccentric oddities. Helvetia made their debut in 2006 with 'The Clever North Wind' (released on Duster bandmate Clay Parton's Static Cult label), followed by 'The Acrobats' (2008) and 'Headless Machine Of The Heart' (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 2012ʼs 'Nothing In Rambling', 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. 'Dromomania', Helvetiaʼs eighth LP, was released in October 2015, followed by the 'Sun Chasers' 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 'This Devastating Map' at his home studio. While the mighty Duster dwelled in a broken down space station lost to the cosmos, Helvetiaʼs 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.

This Devastating Map

Music US