Female-Fronted Friday: Hooked Like Helen

When: Formed in 2016, writing music for TV and movies. Began focusing on touring in 2023.

Where: Northeast Ohio

Genre: Alt-rock/Sad glam

FFO: Evanescence, Tori Amos, Jewel, Lacuna Coil

At its core, Hooked Like Helen is made up of husband-and-wife Nikki and Jon Stipp. The band explores topics such as mental health, unresolved trauma, and addiction recovery in their music, fostering a safe space for healing for both themselves and their fan base. They have provided music for films and TV, and they have opened for such artists as Scott Stapp, Jewel, and Hinder.

Hooked Like Helen’s latest single, “I Don’t Mind,” deals with the subject of unrecognized and therefore unprocessed trauma. Check it out below, along with a few of my other favorite HLH tracks! And be sure to follow/subscribe to their various socials for tour dates, new music announcements, and much more!

“I Don’t Mind”

“Promise Me You’ll Run”

“Fraud”

“Sleepwalker”

A Place i Know Share Two New Tracks to YouTube

A Place i Know is a rock band hailing from Ohio. A combination of members from South of Eden and Harmless Habit, this new project has already had an exciting 2024, from releasing their debut single “Good Enough” to playing their first show together at The Summit Music Hall in Columbus.

Now, A Place i Know has posted two new singles, “Home” and “Save Me,” exclusively to YouTube. The songs will be available everywhere next week.

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#21)

1. Kempo Slice

Hip hop/alternative from Alabama. For fans of Eminem, Three 6 Mafia, Logic, etc. Kempo recently released Kempin’ Ain’t Easy (download available here), and he has been hinting that new music is on the way! Check out “Gumptown Blues,” which features Mike Bama, and “They Say.”

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2. Shallow Side

Rock from Alabama. For fans of Default, Tantric, Theory of a Deadman, etc. Shallow Side released their Origins EP in July and are currently touring; you can visit their Facebook for dates. Since I’ve been a fan for a while, I am going to share two of my favorites from Shallow Side: “My Addiction” and “Out of Reach.”

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3. Firmament

Progressive/alternative rock from Ohio. For fans of The Mars Volta, Coheed & Cambria, A Perfect Circle, etc. Firmament’s first full-length album, Spirit of Place, is available on such outlets as Spotify, iTunes, and Google Play. Hear “Bilateral” and “As One Watches the Rain” now!

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4. YOU!

Alternative rock/”gunk” from London. For fans of Blur, Green Day, Radiohead, etc. YOU! is booking shows and have upcoming dates in Warwickshire and Camden. Visit their official site for a full list and updates from the band. YOU! shared their first official music video for a track entitled “Selfish” back in June. Listen to it and “A Bird’s Prey” below.

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5. State of Illusion

Rock music from South Carolina. For fans of Breaking Benjamin, 10 Years, Cold, etc. State of Illusion will be playing the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, which takes place Labor Day weekend. Their album Aphelion is available through the official page and most digital retailers. Check out “Blind” and “Find Yourself.”

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Weekly Focus: Black Veil Brides, Day Seven

Black Veil Brides — “In the End,” from the album Wretched and Divine (2013).

Weekly Focus: Black Veil Brides, Day Six

My favorite BVB song ❤

Black Veil Brides — “Lost It All,” from the album Wretched and Divine (2013).

Weekly Focus: Black Veil Brides, Day Five

Black Veil Brides — “The Legacy,” from the album Set the World on Fire (2011).

Weekly Focus: Black Veil Brides, Day Four

Black Veil Brides — “Youth & Whisky,” from the album Set the World on Fire (2011).

Weekly Focus: Black Veil Brides, Day Three

My favorite from STWOF ❤

Black Veil Brides — “God Bless You,” from the album Set the World on Fire (2011).

Album of the Week: Black Veil Brides’ We Stitch These Wounds

I was given this album and I had never heard a single song from it. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but happily, I loved it.

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