Announcing the self-titled debut EP by Henika, a NZ alternative solo artist. Recorded and produced by the legendary Andrew Buckton (Midnight Youth, Steriogram, D4) and featuring veteran drummer Mike Franklin-Browne (Pluto, Head Like A Hole), it is a polished yet fresh debut. The 6 track EP includes Henika’s previously released single ‘You bring me down’, a song that won Wildcard funding by popular vote from NZonAir in 2015.
Henika is Henrieta Tornyai, a newcomer multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter whose music blends genres as diverse as alternative rock, folk and jazz. Somewhere between Joni Mitchell and PJ Harvey, the EP swings from darkness to light, from stripped down, to a huge wall of sound. The vulnerable openness of a track like ‘The River’ is contrasted by the Jeff Buckley-esque dissonant layered guitars of ‘Torn in Two.’ A creamy and haunting lead vocal, introspective lyrics and 3 part harmonies combine to create a dark cinematic atmosphere, not unlike a David Lynch soundtrack.
Henika was born in Slovakia but made her home in Auckland, New Zealand at the tender age of 8. Her musical background is varied, strengthened by a bachelor’s degree in jazz. She became proficient on the guitar, bass guitar and double bass while she cut her teeth in the U.S. studying with jazz legend Richard Davis (Bruce Springsteen, Sarah Vaughn). Upon returning to NZ, Henika adopted her childhood nickname and set on a path of personal artistic fulfilment through this solo project.
The EP will be available to download Bandcamp, Itunes and will stream via Spotify and Soundcloud. A limited edition compact disc is also available on Bandcamp.
In the pipeline are a new video for the next single ‘The River’ and live s