The Heligoats are an indie/rock band out of Batavia, Illinois. Band Camp: https://theheligoats.bandcamp.com/music Web Page: https://heligoats.com/ FOR BOOKING AND INQUIRIES EMAIL: CHRISOTEPKA@GMAIL.COM From NPR: The Heligoats He may be a lone guy with an acoustic guitar, but Chris Otepka gives fans a lot of ideas to unpack. Even his backstory necessitates some explanation: The former lead singer of a criminally underheralded band called Troubled Hubble, Otepka now performs solo and unplugged as The Heligoats — a strange name for a guy strumming a guitar, but oddly befitting someone who stuffs his songs with so many sideways ideas and observations. Given the yarns he spins here, it’s easy to imagine Otepka envisioning a herd of goats with propellers and setting the concept to music. From Daytrotter (Paste Magazine): Chris Otepka, the lead singer for the Bellingham-based indie rock band The Heligoats, a project that he's been working on for over 10 years now, has a very quirky and a very imaginative head on his shoulders and he tends to think about and write about the workings of these bodies - more specifically, it seems, his own, the one that he knows most intimately - in very, well, intimate ways. He thinks of them differently than most people do. He seems to hear these bodies talking to themselves, not hearing voices in his head per se - though that might happen frequently as well - but more so hearing these bodies communicate as if they were municipalities, with neighborhoods and precincts and factions in conflict with one another at all times. For any peace, they may look to the outside. Pending Wiki Article: Chris Otepka began The Heligoats as a solo project in high school. Then, following his departure from the band Troubled Hubble, he revived the project. Initially, Otepka performed and recorded under his own name, but later adopted the moniker The Heligoats. "As for the bizarre name, Heligoats is a joking reference to a plan to airlift animals to perform janitorial functions (maybe you had to be there) and was the name under which Otepka started writing and recording in 1998." Otepka's songwriting is characterized by its introspective lyrics, often exploring themes of isolation, longing, and the human condition set against a backdrop of folk-infused melodies. The Heligoats have released several albums and EPs, gaining a dedicated following within the indie folk scene, and were invited to perform as the 100th episode of the NPR Tiny Desk Concert Series. Their music has been praised for its lyrical depth and emotional resonance, often drawing comparisons to artists like Iron & Wine and Damien Jurado. Musical Style and Influences The Heligoats' music is rooted in indie folk, with elements of Americana and singer-songwriter traditions. Otepka's songwriting is the core of the band's sound, featuring delicate acoustic guitar work, evocative vocals, and thoughtful lyrics. The band's arrangements often incorporate subtle instrumentation, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. Influences on The Heligoats' music include folk artists like Nick Drake, Roger Miller, Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr., and Leonard Cohen, as well as contemporary acts such as A. Savage, Howard Jones, Whitney Houston, and SEGO. Discography Mountains (EP, 2000) Manitoba (Album, 2001) The Heligoats (EP, 2004) The Sapling Sessions (EP, 2005) SEEDS I (EP, 2008) The End of All Purpose (EP, 2008) Goodness Gracious (Album, 2010) Back to the Ache (Album, 2013) SEEDS II (EP, 2016) Back to the Lake (Album, 2016) Heligoats & The Glass Band (EP, 2020) SEE ALSO: Troubled Hubble, Hemhora and The Glass Band.