Ahead of the release of their second album Emita Ox on September 13th via Frenchkiss Records, the young New York-based trio Hello Mary have started a run of shows in the UK. Their first was at End of the Road where they absolutely nailed it on stage and the crowd’s reaction and ensuing merch queue hinted at their future success in the UK. There’s a cool insouciance about the band on stage. Vocalist and guitarist Helena Straight embraces her role as frontwoman, coaxing distorted fuzz from her guitar. Meanwhile, bassist Mikaela takes more of a background role – a calm and composed presence.
Still in their late teens and early twenties, Helena Straight (vocals, guitar), Mikaela Oppenheimer (vocals, bass), and Stella Wave (drums) formed Hello Mary in 2019 from a youth music program in their New York City High school. Touring partners of Silversun Pickups, American Football, and DIIV, Hello Mary have already seen critical acclaim.
While their formative recordings, 2020’s Ginger and their 2023 self-titled album, saw the band paying homage to the alt-rock of the 90s, their upcoming album Emita Ox sees Hello Mary forging their own path, taking a more experimental approach to songwriting. The band have adopted certain elements from their touring contemporaries while making a sound distinctly their own.
Their set at End of the Road was an indication of just how many genres make up the Hello Mary sound, bringing in elements of shoegaze, noise rock, post-rock, and mixed-metre composition. There are moments of dreamy, ethereal instrumentation combined with unfiltered, noisy chaos.
UK Tour
3 Sept – Brixton Windmill, London (headline)
11 Sept – Rock City, Nottingham (w/ American Football)
12 Sept – Barrowlands, Glasgow (w/ American Football)
13 Sept – SWX, Bristol (w/ American Football)
14 Sept – Roundhouse, London (w/ American Football)
Hello Mary / Website Hello Mary / Second album Emita Ox on Frenchkiss Records, release date 13th September