South Florida born and raised 21 year
old singer-songwriter, Helen Horal, wearily stepped foot into the Florida
music scene at the tender age of 17 with only two years of self-taught
guitar under her belt. "I'm a poet by nature and a musician by
nurture, I guess," laughs Horal. The combination of a Yamaha
piano childhood education and her grandfather's play-by-ear genes produced
the girl who still does not know what chord she is playing. "It
just sounds right," she says.
After a short stint as an open-mic
regular, Helen was scooped up by local musician Jon Wilkins (The Postmarks)
and was sooner than most, playing shows of her own and opening up for some
of the biggest local bands. "When it comes to making a great
impression, no one’s hotter than Helen Horal," says Colleen Dougher,
Broward/Palm Beach New Times.
Wilkins helped Horal with a quick, but
natural, transition into the studio and produced her first full-length
release in the October of 2004, "There Is Only This Place."
The project turned into a 10-song record of her most intimate and profound
songs. Horal's lyrics accompanied by her crisp guitar and musical
backing from local musicians serve as the anchor for the record. It is
her voice, however, that truly transcends the ears of listeners; Mike Verzi
of BMG wrote "When you hear a voice like that, it stands out."
It is that same voice that ushered
Helen back into the studio here in Charlottesville, Virginia. As the First
Amendment Writes 2006 winner judged by Boyd Tinsley (Dave Matthews Band),
Rita Dove (Poet Laureat) and Bruce Flohr (Red Light Management, ATO
Records), Horal has had a great kickstart year for the promotion of her
sophomore effort, "Words Unbroken." Boyd Tinsley writes,
"She's got a great voice and really seems to understand the craft of
songwriting." With the local buzz behind her and that great
Charlottesville enthusiasm, she plans to only further that craft by way of
performing. Helen will be on the road this summer in support of her new
record that has received nothing less than glowing reviews.
