It doesn’t come from a simple A+B+C formula, in fact it’s a product of so many factors both environmental and internal, that it’s nearly impossible to pin point what exactly creates an exciting and dynamic band. However, those in the Napa/Santa Rosa area should look no further than local sensation, The Helen Kellers, a band that exudes such wild and unencumbered ingenuity like it’s going out of style.
Taking their name from the legendry miracle worker herself, The Helen Kellers craft an exciting blend of bludgeoning alternative rock that’s punctuated with gentle atmospherics, flourishes of power-pop, and large sounding choruses. The band is comprised of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ryan Rushworth, his sister and keyboardist Rebecca Rushworth, drummer Dustin Miller, bassist Drew Wright, and multi-instrumentalist Kyle Stoner. Through all of it, it’s been the Keller’s passion that has pushed them into their budding notoriety in the local music scene.
“I started the band when I was 16,” explains vocalist Ryan Rushworth.
“I’d turn most of the poetry that I had written into songs. When my sister took up piano, we started collaborating and writing songs together and the band’s grown from there.”
And indeed the band’s grown alongside the Rushworths’ ambition, hooking up with Miller and Stoner and finally settling on Wright for bass, after a revolving door of bassists. And like with all great artists, their heroes and idols played an integral part to their eclectic sound.
“People like Brand New, Elliott Smith, The Velvet Teen, and Radiohead really inspire us,” explained Rushworth.
“These artists really tap into something from the creative insides, and we’re really interested in exploring that ourselves rather than making something that’s sugar-coated.”
And make no mistake; the Kellers examine some deeply personal topics from alienation to broken relationships. Backed by rolling percussion and feedback induced guitars, their song
“Shadow” seems to reach up from the depths of nightmares as Rushworth’s black sarcasm laments, “We drink together/Friends forever/As we toast the setting/Sun…”
“I was picked on a lot as a kid and I channeled a lot of those feelings into our music,” revealed Rushworth.
“For people that are struggling with those same feelings and fears, I hope they can be inspired by what we create.
But it hasn’t just been The Helen Kellers’ ability to tap into something personal that’s given them their allure, the band has also worked tirelessly in promoting themselves.
“There isn’t a music scene in Napa,” explained Rushworth.
“It’s a very conservative town that’s populated by people who primarily listen to cover bands and jazz. There aren’t really any venues or clubs, so we have to go over the Petaluma, Santa Rosa area to really play gigs.”
And indeed, their live show is quite the experience. Catching one of their shows at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, it’s clear that The Helen Kellers’ passionate performances are the mark of a band that leaves a little bit of themselves on stage. They work as a unit, often rotating instruments between themselves, but always pushing their voices and instruments well past their breaking points, show after show.
For The Helen Kellers, they’d rather go big before they go home.
A typical Kellers show is bound together by Rushworth’s enigmatic stage presence as his body sharply seizes to his dissonant and caustic guitar, his Robert Smith hairstyle flailing with each spastic movement and heart wrenching scream. Elsewhere, Rebecca Rushworth’s gentle keyboards add soft texture to their songs, while her syrupy backing vocals make their Keller’s material simply soar. Elsewhere, Miller and Wright keep a tight rhythm section while Stoner fluctuates between additional percussion and occasionally sharp, lead guitar work. To see The Helen Kellers is to see a finely tuned machine, one that offers up raw, unfiltered emotion, through musical prose.
And people have begun to take notice.
“The local bands have been really good to us here,” explained Rushworth, “Bands like Body or Brain, Subtones, The 33’s, Nan de Carlo, and Tear It Down have really helped us out. It’s not really a competition around here, more like a bunch of friends looking out for one another.”
And with such fantastic support, it seems the Kellers are truly aiming for something large in their future, consistently building a following after each show.
“”We’re going the distance!” laughs Rushworth, “But seriously, we’re really excited right now. We’re going into the studio at the end of November and will hopefully be done with our album by next February.”
It’s difficult to imagine that The Helen Kellers won’t blow up big at some point. With songs like the positively expansive “Poetry To Bleed” and the mammoth pseudo metal of “Not Going Home,” the band is perched to become a force not just in the Santa Rosa area, but perhaps in the mainstream as well. And while it’s unclear what the exact ingredients are that make an immersive band, it’s clear that The Helen Kellers are just as much part of the ride as their fans are.
“I was to expose us to anyone and everyone,” chuckles Rushworth.
“Take that as you will.”
/By Michael Digrande
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