Biography
New York's electro-rock outfit Heloise & the Savior Faire fuses theatrical pop with post-punk revival elements and revolves around peroxide-blonde frontwoman Heloise Williams, whose magnetic stage presence defines the group. Raised in a small Minnesota town, she displayed an early passion for performance that began in childhood with mirror-bound singing sessions synced to episodes of Solid Gold. During her four years at Middlebury College in Vermont, Williams performed vocals and flute inside an 11-piece jazz ensemble. Upon graduation she relocated to New York City alongside dancers Joe Shepard and Sara Sweet Rabidoux, fueled by ambitions of widespread recognition. Initial club appearances featured the trio executing high-energy routines before a lone laptop while wearing flamboyant outfits modeled after Peaches, the artist for whom Williams had once served briefly as a roadie. Eventually she expanded the lineup to include live players, recruiting boyfriend and guitarist James Bellizia plus drummer Luke Hughett and bassist Jason Diamond. Growing audience interest soon attracted overtures from smaller labels and producers alike. Their decisive break arrived through unexpected meetings with notable figures, beginning when actor Elijah Wood extended an offer on his fledgling Simian Records imprint that promised unfettered creative control. Wood further secured the band a slot on The Graham Norton Show, where their OK Go-inspired synchronized choreography helped cultivate a substantial U.K. following. A particularly grounding encounter occurred shortly afterward when Williams's idol Debbie Harry requested an autograph following a Knitting Factory performance; the interaction developed into an ongoing friendship that culminated with the Blondie vocalist contributing to the 2008 album Trash, Rats and Microphones.