He Arrived By Helicopter was started by songwriter Christian Gibbs (aka, C. Gibbs, Lucinda Black Bear) following life changes that led to a move out of NYC in 2016. The objective was to release and perform a new body of work, primarily instrumental based compositions, in their embryonic form, shortening the length of time from conception to release. A major component of this process is Gibbs’ recording and mixing most of the record himself, which afforded him the unique ability to side-step the usual channels of record making. Going through a bout of reclusion in the Western Catskills, and choosing not to perform for a spell, Gibbs recorded in his humble upstate dwelling near Bethel Woods, where the original Woodstock Festival took place, as well as in the ever shrinking allotment of space in his Brooklyn railroad apartment. New additions in the shape of children gave Gibbs less time and less space in Brooklyn for record making so whenever a free moment arose he would grab it, write, record and make a rough mix. The results have some Lo-Fi moments but only as dictated by economics and environments rather than aesthetics.

Dividing his time between country and city, some songs might have a siren heard in the background, while other songs might have the sounds of birds and chainsaws leaking into the mic. Often the songs are written and performed the same day relying more on the processed sounds of guitar using a variety of beats, synthesizers, and percussion. As the record progressed some songs called for lyrics and so there are a few that exist throughout the album. Even though it began as a side project, Gibbs found himself working with old band members Matt Brandau, Tim Kuhl (Sean Lennon, Margaret Glaspy), Philip Sterk (Black Lillies) on the 7.5 minute epic title track “He Arrived By Helicopter.“ The name came about during a recent not so glamorous tour date when one of the more successful sidemen of the group, Tim Kuhl, who had just come off a festival circuit with Sean Lennon’s The Goastt (Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger), remarked “You know Gibbs, I usually arrive by Helicopter to these things nowadays.” Hence, He Arrived By Helicopter was born.

The debut release under the He Arrived By Helicopter moniker, The Shiny Hostel, comes out on cassette format via Very Special Recordings on September 14, 2018 and on vinyl via Eastern Spurs.

www.facebook.com/hearrivedbyhelicopter