As she became an adult, UK-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and incorrigible eccentric Helena Costas brought her vision into focus. Born in London to Greek Cypriot parents, Helena learned violin from ages 7 to 13. Later, she taught herself guitar and keyboards. All the while, she developed a unique inner language and logic, rich with unconscious resonance, mythic allusions and complex food analogies. (Not unlike Prince, after a fashion.) She wrote songs incessantly, and learned the art of production, using the studio as an instrument. Meanwhile, she developed her confidence by playing constant gigs around London, where she faced demanding audiences and learned to improvise.
In 2003, she began mailing her home recordings to the esteemed artist and producer Danger Mouse. As his international fame grew, the pair kept in touch. They discovered a natural affinity and decided to collaborate, naming their project Joker’s Daughter after one of Helena’s many porous artistic personae. Helena describes Joker’s Daughter as “a dualistic character†who “draws from the serious to turn it into humor.â€
Helena’s striking melodies and rich, sensory lyrics reveal the depth, passion and prankishness in her psyche. Danger Mouse collaborates fully at every stage, contributing his farsighted skills as a songwriter, producer and musician. The result is an intoxicating, disorienting blend, folk music from some strange, timeless, uncharted dream world.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Worm’s Head
2. Jessie the Goat
3. Go Walking
4. Lucid
5. JD Folk Blues
6. The Last Laugh
7. Under the Influence of Jaffa Cakes
8. Jelly Belly
9. Cake and July
10. Chasing Ticking Crocodile
11. Nothing is Ever What It Seems
12. The Running Goblin
13. The Bull Bites Back
14. Yellow Teapot