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

11-07-2026

12-07-2026

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.

t.b.a.

MS Stubnitz
(Hamburg, DE)

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

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