Pure Ivy Radio Episode 10: Helena

Interview by Telly Maragopoulos on 28/6/12

DJ, Pulse Exclusive, Interview, Streaming, DJ Mix

How time flies! Pure Ivy Radio celebrates its 10th edition hosted excusively on Pulse with a special mix from the UK born, Australian bred powerhouse that is Helena. Pure Ivy Radio host Telly Maragopoulos gets the low down on Helena's career higlights, what's in the pipeline and her thoughts on the industry.

Pulse: You’ve been DJing for a number of years, what inspired you take it up in the first place? Helena:  I was very into music and clubs and the whole industry from a very early age and I was surrounded by DJs, my brother was a DJ and most of my guy friends were DJs, so they were a big influence on me.  I was working in the music industry from 17 as a promoter and I took up DJ'ing as a hobby and I got hooked.  I started playing in my bedroom and then a few backrooms of the clubs I was involved with and it just escalated.  It was a natural progression for me from one thing to the next and before I knew it, DJing had become my career.

What changes have you noticed in the industry since you started? Obviously I've seen different music fads come and go, different club nights come and go, and ups and downs in the scene.  Since I started I have watched the UK music industry go to shit and America blowing up, as it's all so new to them right now.  Everything goes in cycles through, it will come round again.  I think it's just important that producers keep making great new music and DJs keep it interesting and clubs and festivals try and keep it quality and fresh to encourage new kids into the scene.  

You’ve played at Australia’s largest electronic music festival Stereosonic and a huge array of shows and festivals across the country. What would you say has been your favourite experience?  I would say Stereosonic last year was my favourite, I played after Pretty Lights and before Empire of the Sun at 9.30pm prime time on the Carl Cox and friends stage.  It was packed and it went off, I had so much fun it was amazing. I got off the decks and I was still buzzing 24 hours later.

And internationally? Gatecrasher Summer Soundsystem festival was insane. So much fun, apart from the weather which wasn't as blessed as Australian festivals - it was actually freezing. But the tents and production and crowds was off the hook.

You released your debut single Girl from Outta Space earlier this year, what’s it like seeing people go crazy to your own original production at your shows?  It's an incredible buzz of course. When you are in the studio you try and imagine how it will work on the dancefloor, so to finally play it out and see people going nuts to it is amazing. It's the best adrenalin rush you could have in my eyes. The vocal version has finally been wrapped and we are just waiting on the final remixes before we go for the full release; with a slight name change – Girl From The Sky (Outta Space) Feat: Mr Wilson, to keep things in sync with the main vocal hook of the track. Really looking forward to the full package being released, which should be very soon now It's very exciting!

And you’ve done some killer remixes including Everybody Get Up by Jam Xpress & Seany B. Any other projects in the pipeline you can tell us about?  I'm always working on new stuff and I have other tracks in the works. I am also moving to Holland at the end of August for near 3 months for gigs and to work on music - I have some collabs lined up over there too.  So hopefully I will come back with even more studio knowledge and killer tunes!  Plus i'm constantly doing my own edits and bootlegs, for my own sets and to keep the creative juices flowing. I love making mashups and bootys.

You’ve prepared for us an amazing mix for Pure Ivy Radio, tell us about how you approached it and what you tried to create.  For my Pure Ivy mix I approached it how I would play a set at the IVY and the crowd there I play to. I play my sound big room progressive and electro beats, with a fair few vocals and with the Saturday night crowds at the IVY I try and keep it quite familiar for them.  My sound is energetic and I mix it up to keep it interesting and to keep people on their toes!

You’re quite the veteran at the Ivy in Sydney, having supported Laidback Luke at his legendary show this year and a string of headliner slots over the past few months. What’s it like playing there?  I love playing at the IVY it's a beautiful venue, the crowds are really up for it and glammed up, so it gives me an excuse to dress up too, which is always fun.  The crew and promoters there are great fun which is always a pleasure and I have had some incredible shows there. It's definitely one of my favourite venues in Sydney to play. 

You’re playing there this week in fact! What are 3 tracks you know will be sure fire winners for the night? I know Wild Ones Two is a firm favourite with the IVY crowd; always goes off.  My own track the new vocal version – Girl From the Sky {Outta Space} Feat Mr Wilson is a winner there. And In My Mind – Ivan Gough and Feenixpawl (Axwell Mix) is obviously a major track right now too. They love it, especially being from Oz talent. So these 3 will definitely be in the bombs folder for the night!