avant-pop, progressive rock, post-punk









WHAT’S NEW?


working on our new EP ‘AUA’! stay tuned... 





UPCOMING SHOWS

16-05-2026



22-05-2026



10-07-2026



18-07-2026


19-07-2026


14-10-2026


15-10-2026


16-10-2026


17-10-2026
Subwaves 
Café de Richel
(Amsterdam, NL)

Tor 9
(Bremen, DE)


Batavierhuis
(Rotterdam, NL)


t.b.a.


Zappanale
(Bad Doberan, DE)

Immerhin
(Würzburg, DE)

Interpenetration
(Graz, AT)

t.b.a.


Jazz in Eppingen
(Eppingen, DE)



ABOUT

cute, absurd and evil

With shocking effect and energy HALA explores a diverse theatrical interplay based on the vocalist Helene Matthia's fairytale-like compositions. At times it feels as if Nina Hagen got lost in a Tim Burton movie.

Their music sounds nearly absurdist and evil, and scatters from progressive rock, avant-pop and (free) improvisation to avant-garde and cabaret; 

with Helene Matthia on voice, Arno Bakker on sousaphone, Jorrit Westerhof on guitar and Gerri Jäger on drums.

The band was formed in 2017 in the basement of Atelier "Il sole in cantina", Cantina Records in Groningen, which is known for its experimental journeys.  




HIGHLIGHTS

  • Herzberg Festival 2025
  • Ponavafest Brno 2025
  • Freakshow Festival       Würzburg 2024
  • Bimhuis Amsterdam 2024
  • SITP x Cinetol Summerfestival Amsterdam 2023
  • Perifest Deventer 2023
  • RAUW x Jazzinternational   Rotterdam 2022
  • Schnittpunkte der Musik Festival Austria 2021
  • ZomerJazzFietsTour     Groningen 2019
  • Jazzfestival Karlsruhe 2018




PRESS QUOTES

‘Herzberg band of the week: HALA’
- Rock Magazine Eclipsed
concert announcement | www.eclipsed.de


'Helene Matthia and HALA are surprising and audacious'
- Rinus van der Heijden
album review 'HALA' | www.jazznu.com


'Free improvisations transform into contagious rock rhythms and funky dance tunes'
- Eddy Determeyer
concert review | www.draaiomjeoren.com





LINKS & CONTACT