Photo credit: Adam Kennedy
It doesn’t feel like almost two years since I first sat down with Hels Pattison at The Exchange in December 2024, but looking at her trajectory since, a whole lifetime of musical growth has been squeezed into those months. Back then, she was still stepping out from the shadows of her early acoustic vocal days, having transitionally picked up the guitar and taken those initial, brave strides as a solo songwriter.
Today, Hels is undeniably one of the most compelling voices in the North East’s vibrant music scene. Having signed with a manager, brought in brilliant collaborators, and built a reputation as an absolute powerhouse of live performance, she stands on the precipice of her most exciting milestone yet: the release of her forthcoming EP, Skinny Dipping in November, dropping this October, followed by a launch gig at Pilgrim on 8th November 2026.
If there’s one thing that defines Hels Pattison, it’s a work ethic that would make most musicians sweat. Modest to a fault and entirely free of pretence, Hels is the artist who will close her day-job laptop only to immediately open her creative life, clocking endless hours rehearsing, booking, and touring. She admits to being a serial over-worker. She’ll tell you candidly about the early days of playing quiet, unassuming café shows where it felt like nobody was listening – only for those exact audience members to show up months later at a packed headliner, reminding her that every note counts.
“I kind of have a bit of a never say no policy. I ended up taking on too much, but also what I’ve noticed is that it’s the fun little gigs that we do that end up feeling like sort of stepping stones… and then you’ll do something else will be like a headliner… and people come up and go, ‘Oh, I saw you in a little cafe a few months ago.'”
That warmth and groundedness translate directly onto the stage. Whether she’s sharing the story behind a lyric or engaging in easy, unscripted banter with the crowd, Hels never hides behind a persona. It’s that exact authenticity that creates magical moments live. Just recently at a show, a starry-eyed little girl was spotted standing at the front with her dad, watching Hels open-mouthed in total awe. Encouraged by her dad, the little girl shyly approached after the set to ask for a copy of the setlist – a beautiful reminder of the generational connection Hels creates and the inspiring role model she has become.
Musically, Hels has found her stride by boldly embracing a rich, modern Americana and traditional country-rock sound – leaning into the chilled, open-road storytelling lineage of artists like Jackson Browne, Sheryl Crow, and Boy Golden. This shift in sound mirrors a change in her personal perspective.
“My life is quite a lot less dramatic than it once was,” she reflects. “So now I’m writing from a retrospective viewpoint, and looking back at my life.”
At the heart of this sound is her songwriting partnership with guitarist Zac. The way they craft tracks is a masterclass in dynamic collaboration. Hels often captures fleeting melodic ideas or vocal riffs as raw voice notes on her phone, which she and Zac later sift through together. While Hels brings raw emotional honesty and retrospective narratives to the lyrics, Zac acts as the musical architect – structuring progressions, introducing clever phrasing, and knowing exactly when to let the instrumentation breathe so the emotional core lands. That collaborative spirit extends to her full band, which now proudly features top-tier regional talent like fiddle player Niles Krieger. When a musician of Niles’ calibre approaches you to join the project after hearing one of your songs, you know you’ve hit a rare level of artistry.
The title track of the upcoming EP is an absolute standout and a testament to how far her craft has come.
Skinny Dipping in November opens quietly with warm acoustic strumming before bursting into an expansive, infectious indie-pop chorus that instantly hooks you. Lyrically, it captures the bittersweet nostalgia of youthful recklessness and emotional exposure. The metaphor of freezing November waters contrasts brilliantly against the heat of a first love and the unspoken fear of letting go. Yet, rather than getting lost in past regret, the song ends on a note of triumph and personal evolution: “I won’t forget what I outgrow.” It’s catchy, atmospheric, and deeply relatable – a song you find yourself humming long after the final chord fades.
With Skinny Dipping in November out for release on 4th September 2026 and the EP Missed Connections on 6th November 2026, all eyes are turned toward 8th November 2026, when Hels and the band take over Pilgrim in Newcastle for their EP launch show.
From her early beginnings playing small rooms at The Ticket Office to commanding major regional venues, Hels Pattison’s journey is proof that genuine talent, humility, and relentless hard work will always cut through. Grab your tickets early – this is an artist on a swift upward trajectory, and you’ll want to say you were there.
Check out more music by Hels Pattison at: www.helspattison.co.uk
