In a house in the woods on the outskirts of Sandusky, Hooked Like Helen began as the alternative rock brainstorms of Nikki and Jon Stipp. Shortly after relocating from Los Angeles to rural Ohio, and inheriting a small home studio from Jon’s deceased uncle, the duo became sought after by music supervisors for E!, MTV, and Netflix among others. Hooked Like Helen’s powerfully heartfelt piano ballad, “Liar” quite literally inspired the script for the motion picture High Strung: Free Dance (Jane Seymour), and is featured in a poignant scene in the film with a dance sequence choreographed by Tyce Diorio. The music video premiered on Radio Disney. Nikki composed music for 9 scenes across the 3 time Emmy-winning Netflix docu-series, CHEER and continues to provide music for film and tv productions via BMG. 

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In tandem with their success in sync placements, Hooked Like Helen developed a reputation for one of the most energetic, awe-inspiring live shows you will ever see. This past year, HLH cultivated an edgier rock sound and completed two national tours with Icon For Hire and No Resolve/Halocene, opened for such established acts as Jewel, Taylor Hicks, and Blood Sweat & Tears, and performed as direct support for PVRIS at Sandusky Pride. Hooked Like Helen’s fierce stage presence, raw passion, and precise technical abilities are a sound and sight to behold, and the world is taking notice. 

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Hooked Like Helen released a 7 track EP called Promise Me You'll Run on Oct 4th to rave reviews. Co-produced by Nikki and mega-hot collaborators Kevin McCombs (Royal & The Serpent, Papa Roach) and Kevin "K Thrash" Thrasher (MGK, Jelly Roll, Blink-182), the EP boasts 4 official Apple Music Playlist adds in New in Alternative and New in Rock. The music video for the 2nd single, "OCD (these thoughts again)", premiered on New Noise Magazine and started a trend among TikTok influencers in the mental health space who used the song to share their experiences with the disorder of the same name. 3rd single, "It Doesn't Look So Good For You Now" is currently the legendary Sophia John's Staff Spotlight Pick at 89.7 The River and has radio spins across the nation. The final single and title track, "Promise Me You'll Run", boasts over 500,000 views on its official music video in just 3 months, and portrays Nikki Stipp as the notorious female serial killer, Aileen Wuornos. 

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Nikki is 1 in 3000 people who perceive sound as colors, shapes, and textures. This phenomenon known as Chromesthesia is a unique quality that sets her apart from most songwriters and producers. Nikki credits her Chromesthesia for her success in composing for film and t.v.; she allows the visuals generated by her brain to guide the music into fulfilling the creative visions of the producers, directors and music supervisors she works with. 

 

Hooked Like Helen’s sound embodies a unique vein of alternative music; dark lyrical themes of childhood trauma, mental illness and substance abuse are crafted into relatable sing-along anthems of hope and resilience. Their recent single “Sleepwalker” - a song for those struggling with addiction - is a fan favorite and has been featured on Loudwire Nights and spun on 36 commercial rock stations. The honesty and vulnerability in HLH’s lyrics is what connects them so closely to fans, and what makes a Hooked Like Helen show a truly memorable, emotional experience. 

 

In a timeless, ageless context in which melody reigns supreme, the band’s songs oscillate between moments of intimate piano/vocal arrangements and intense Rock and Roll. A dash of Tori Amos, and a sprinkling of Queen. This juxtaposition of vulnerability and fierceness is evinced in the band’s incredibly dynamic live show and is truly at the heart of who Hooked Like Helen is.