This 2004 debut by critically-acclaimed songwriter Anne-Marie Helder made some huge waves in the music world - its honesty, passion, emotion and sheer dynamic range are utterly captivating. The ‘Little Red Rock Chick’ from the UK has a unique voice, its range and intensity unsurpassed; and often draws comparisons with artists such as Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, Robert Plant, Jeff Buckley, Alison Goldfrapp, Sam Brown, Eddi Reader, Jewel, and Eva Cassidy… but her sound is all her own. ‘Possessing a tone somewhere between molten chocolate and angelic voices on high’, she wails, sobs, fractures and soars her way through her self-penned music, with a breathtaking sureness and bravery. She is at once powerful and fragile; a frequent observation which has led to her playfully nicknaming her style/genre of music, ‘Fragile Rock’ ! (-pronounced ‘Fraggle’, & a play on words from the old 1980’s kids show, ‘Fraggle Rock’!!!) Each song has a definite spirit all of its own, and Helder delivers her powerful lyrics with such a storytelling sensitivity that it makes you feel immediately connected; you know that she's truly been there, and that you're hearing it directly from her soul to yours. She will take you on a journey, to places beautiful and mysterious, both dark and shimmering with light... and leave you feeling touched by magic. Track Listing: ___________ Blood Red Sky Exodus Autocratic Stallions & Nags No Other Lover Murder ___________ Instrumentation on this debut EP is delectably sparce, with only the occasional swelling of strings and rhythm to enhance the mood of the moment, lifting it to a dramatic crescendo. Otherwise, accompaniment on the album is close & intimate: simply AMH on 6-string acoustic guitar, a little 12-string, and some beautiful piano. However, a stellar guest appearance is also made by guitar virtuoso Dave Kilminster (see www.davekilminster.com) – currently touring as lead guitarist with PINK FLOYD's Roger Waters, he is also a blossoming songwriter in his own right, with a new album out called 'Scarlet'. This debut also features Anne-Marie on guest vocals! On 'The Contact', listen out for Kilminster's soaring classical-guitar solos on tracks such as' Blood Red Sky' and 'No Other Lover'; plus some random electric silliness (inspired by Psycho) on the final song, 'Murder'. Anne-Marie Helder has been touring the UK and Europe intensively for the last 3 years, and is due to release her hotly-anticipated follow up to The Contact in 2008. She has suggested that this next album will encompass a huge dynamic range: from stripped-down acoustic tracks, to full-blown band numbers. To promote the album she plans to tour both as a solo format, and also with an AMH band around her, expanding the sound for the bigger numbers. _____________________________________________________ Meanwhile, AMH can be heard on these other New Releases: _____________________________________________________ * PANIC ROOM – This UK band’s debut album ‘Visionary Position’ has been co-written by Helder, and she is the lead singer; ‘VP’ features her lead & harmony vocals throughout. Written with Jon Edwards, her ex band-mate from previous group Karnataka, the album is an incredibly diverse collection of tracks, which somehow includes rock, jazz, folk, pop and blues, and yet still feels like a completely coherent work of genius! Tipped to be a big thing in 2008, the album is already collecting rave reviews ahead of its April release date, and is another chance to hear even more of Anne-Marie Helder’s unique, brave and beautiful songwriting. (All lyrics & vocal melodies are by AMH, worked to original music penned by Jon Edwards.) The band will be on UK tour in April 2008 to promote the album, and are already working on their next release... www.panicroom.org,uk www.myspace.com/panicroomuk * MOSTLY AUTUMN – Fellow UK rock band, and great friends of Anne’s. AMH features on guest backing-vocals on their 2007 album ‘Heart Full of Sky’, and is currently recording vocals and flute for their 2008 release ‘Glass Shadows’. She supported them solo at their prestigious London Astoria gig (February 2007) and later came out on stage to add guest vocals to their main show! In December 07, she joined them on the road to stand-in for their regular keyboardist / flautist / vocalist Angela Gordon, who was taking some much-needed musical maternity-leave!!!… And, in 2008 AMH will again be joining the band on stage; contributing the extra keys, vocals, flute and rhythm guitars needed to tour their new album. She will be touring with Mostly Autumn alongside her other commitments to Panic Room and her solo work… Busy times! www.mostly-autumn.com __________________ AMH also features on: __________________ * ’Scarlet’ by Dave Kilminster (see above) www.davekilminster.com www.myspace.com/davekilminster * ’Communion’ by Fish – Anne-Marie features on backing vocals for this Live Acoustic CD, recorded in August 2006. AMH was joined by Heather Findlay & Angela Gordon, to provide Floyd-esque BV’s to this special show at the beautiful Abbey in Haddington, Scotland (UK). She had previously toured regularly with the Fish band, as their Official Tour Support in the UK & Europe. www.the-company.com * Karnataka – Helder played with this Welsh celtic-rock band for several years, and features on their last 2 albums – ‘Delicate Flame of Desire’ and the (highly recommended) double Live album ‘Strange Behaviour’. Still available to buy, from the Panic Room website: www.panicroom.org.uk ______________________ REVIEWS of 'The Contact' ______________________ "This is very dramatic music..." ( Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2) "Striking solo debut from one-time Karnataka vocalist / instrumentalist. Combining the intensity of Jeff Buckley with the passion of Kate Bush, this is emotive and powerful stuff. 8/10" (Jerry Ewing, 'CLASSIC ROCK' Magazine) "Songs that pack an emotional wallop... Her expressive voice, falling somewhere between the great Sam Brown and poetess Jewel, is unabashedly naked and makes tracks like “Blood Red Sky” and “Exodus” sound both angry and vulnerable at the same time." (Todd Seely, 'The Fuze' online muzine) "With influences fom Classical music to Bob Dylan and Tracy Chapman, Anne-Marie Helder's dramatic and passionate style of songwriting is a real refreshment... A perfect example for any songwriter, and appealing to both acoustic and rock fans." (‘Sound Nation' magazine, UK) www.annemariehelder.com www.myspace.com/annemarieheldermusic