The Helio Sequence’s self-titled, self-produced sixth album (out on Sub Pop Records) is so airtight and riveted with ingenuity, you get the feeling that vocalist/guitar player Brandon Summers and drummer/keyboardist Benjamin Weikel could construct anything they set their collective minds to, be it a dreamy crystal pop song or an indie-rock masterpiece. The duo recorded the material last year in their Portland, Oregon, studio (which they built themselves, of course) with the intention of seeing how much music they could create in a one-month time span. Twenty-six songs later, the 10 tracks that ended up on the new LP were whittled down via votes from trusted family and friends. Summers spoke from the Best Western Outlaw Inn of Rock Springs, Wyoming. The Helios are touring and were about to hit the road for Pendleton, Oregon. It was early morning.
How’s the Outlaw Inn?
It’s cowboy-themed. Built around 1972, and hasn’t been updated since…
