Wellington City Libraries

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Helen Dorothy

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Music we hold — on our catalogue

The majority of our Wellington CD collection is available from our Te Awe Branch in Brandon St, or able to be reserved for free from our Distribution Centre in Johnsonville.

We say:

England-born singer-songwriter Helen Dorothy is a recognised performer in the New Zealand folk scene. Acoustic music lovers have remarked on her ability to “take everyday events and spin them into absolute gems of songs”. Her material, often inspired by the natural world, is supported by innovative guitar playing. “Helen Dorothy writes beautifully-crafted, intelligent songs rich in memorable imagery” (fRoots Magazine, January 2014).

The making of her 2009 debut CD ‘The Going Away’ was about cleaning out the attic, so to speak, to make room for fresh material. “Dorothy is an acoustic folk artist in an honest sense…her songs are left to speak for themselves, providing tales and observations, thoughts and commentaries. The reward from these ‘alone’ kind of albums comes in the sad, thought-provoking and beautiful places they take you to” (NZ Musician magazine 2009).

Her artistry has matured into a second collection of originals. Described by UK’s fRoots Magazine as “a modest release containing real song-writing talent”, her second collection of originals ‘Watching Ghosts…and Other Songs’ was released in September 2013.

Helen Dorothy mostly performs in the Wellington region, but has also toured New Zealand’s folk clubs and appeared as a festival guest performer. Her material has also featured on the UK’s premier folk magazine podcast Folkcast and the prestigious fRoots Radio playlist.

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Profile courtesy of Amplifier.

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