HELEN SMITH
Keyboards / Violin / Instruments / Vocals

Apart from being fluent in Italian and a keen juggler, music has always played an important role in Helen's life.

She was born in Welwyn Garden City and came to Abbey Wood when she was 4. Helen began practising on the family piano, picking up the violin and recorder along the way.

It was while busking at a shopping centre one day that Helen met Mark, after he dropped 20p in her hat and gave his number.

Since then over the years she's been a helping hand, playing and singing on Blob Hotel's 3 albums, an alliance renewed with "Madame Fruitbowl". It is Helen's flair for arranging and playing that has enriched much of Wilberforce' debut album. The string section on "Apple of my eye" alone was her own work and her arrangement on "Painting a Picture" was equally inspired. Helen's role in the band increased significantly when Wilberforce hit the stage in 2003. Initially playing as a duo, Helen increased the band's scope by displaying a mastery on a variety of instruments. Now with the forthcoming new album, Helen has once again come into her own, composing her own material for the first time, and being more heavily involved in arranging, playing, and singing harmonies. It's hard to imagine where Wilberforce would be without her!

Recently Helen has begun playing with the Spook Orchestra with Mark under her alter ego Melody Spires. She also has her own page on My Space.

meatloaf30@hotmail.com