Hello Mary headlines Bowery Ballroom

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

This past Thursday, local trio Hello Mary headlined the Bowery Ballroom for the first time in support of their recently released second full-length album, Emita Ox. 

We've enjoyed watching the band's evolution, from almost-shows in Tompkins Square Park to Nublu ... and Webster Hall and now Bowery Ballroom. Following openers Bleary Eyed and Starcleaner Reunion, the hour-long set spotlighted Hello Mary's take on '90s alt-rock, blending raw energy with emotional intensity.

We caught up with the band before the show backstage — (from left) drummer/vocalist Stella Wave, Guitarist/vocalist Helena Straight and bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer ...

Backstage is calm and relaxed, with an air of happiness and playfulness. The trio, energized by the presence of friends, family, and even a few parents in the audience, laugh and joke together. Before stepping on stage, they run through a warm-up song and vocal exercises, finishing with a lively dance to stretch, loosen up, and keep the mood light.

Hello Mary has been on a U.S. tour, their first time as a headliner.

Said Wave, "We've never headlined a full U.S. tour before, so it feels very exciting — especially to play in our hometown and headline a venue like Bowery Ballroom, where we've attended so many shows."

Keep tabs on the band via Instagram.

Three's company

 

This week, local trio Hello Mary (Helena Straight, Stella Wave and Mikaela Oppenheimer) released more new music (and a video!). 

The track "Three" is on the band's forthcoming record, Emita Ox, due out on Sept. 13. 

Hello Mary is headlining a show at Bowery Ballroom on Oct. 24.

Zero hour

 

New music (and video!) this week from local trio Hello Mary ... "0%" has a punky fury reminiscent of another trio — Babes in Toyland. 

The clips come from the band's recent road dates, where they played with Blondshell, Rocket, the Silversun Pickups, and some festivals.

Hello Mary will be on tour for the summer, with a trip to the UK in late August.

Sunday's opening shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

On Avenue A, Exit9 co-owners Charles Branstool and Christy Davis with their daughter Stella Wave (who's also the drummer of EVG fave Hello Mary). 

And a Happy Mother's Day to moms everywhere!

'Special' delivery

 

Local faves Hello Mary — Helena Straight, Stella Wave and Mikaela Oppenheimer — released a new single yesterday ahead of the band's full-length debut on March 3. 

Enjoy this "Special Treat."

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Hello Mary takes the stage at Webster Hall 

• An afternoon out with Hello Mary

Hello again

Photo for EVG last year by Stacie Joy 

Big week for local band Hello Mary... the trio — bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer, guitarist Helena Straight and drummer Stella Wave — announced the release date for their debut LP — March 3, 2023. 

They were also profiled in Rolling Stone in a piece titled "Say Hello to the Next Great New York Rock Band." 

And then there is a brand-new single-video... this is "Spiral."

   

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Hello Mary takes the stage at Webster Hall 

• An afternoon out with Hello Mary

Here comes the 'Sun'

 

Local faves Hello Mary debuted a new single/video this week... here's guitarist Helena Straight, bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer and drummer Stella Wave with "Looking Right Into The Sun."

Hello Mary takes the stage at Webster Hall

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

We've enjoyed watching Hello Mary continue to grow as a band... from the almost shows in Tompkins Square Park to playing smaller venues like Bowery Electric, Nublu and Mercury Lounge (opening for Pretty Sick). 

This past Thursday night, the local band opened for Sunflower Bean at Webster Hall, their biggest stage yet. (Hello Mary is playing with Sunflower Bean on a variety of East Coast dates.) 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was with the band — guitarist Helena Straight, bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer and drummer Stella Wave — at Webster Hall...

After the show, the band members shared their thoughts on playing Webster Hall... 

Mikaela: "This is the largest stage we’ve ever performed for sure, not just in NYC. I think that’s the main thing that made it different from other performances. There was also really good sound and people helping us out a lot, which is a big shift from where we started in the DIY scene [lol]." 

Helena: "We've never played a show like the Webster Hall show. I’d say it was important because it helped us recognize just how much we’ve grown in only three years. It felt so surreal and exciting that I basically blacked out during the entire performance, which is always a good thing in my book." 

Stella: "The show went super well; that’s easily the biggest crowd we’ve played to, which was really exciting. It feels exhilarating to perform in front of that many people, and it makes me excited for what’s next to come."

You can keep tabs on Hello Mary via Instagram.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• An afternoon out with Hello Mary

Alone together again

This week, local faves Hello Mary released a video for the pandemic-related single "Evicted" ... you can check it out ☝️ ... find their music on Bandcamp here... a new interview with them at this link ... and check out this EVG feature on the band here.

Late night with Hello Mary

Local band Hello Mary played a late-night set back on Saturday at Nublu, 151 Avenue C. 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was at the show and shared these photos of the trio —guitarist Helena Straight, bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer and drummer Stella Branstool ...

With a new single ready to drop, Hello Mary is playing at Elsewhere in Brooklyn next Wednesday night (info here). In early September, they're making their first West Coast trip, with a multiple-city swing that includes Los Angeles (Sept. 9) and San Diego (Sept. 11).

Look for them this fall back here on a bill with Pretty Sick, and also opening for Luna at Brooklyn Made on Nov. 13.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• An afternoon out with Hello Mary 

'Something' to talk about

 

The new single from local band Hello Mary is out today... check out the video here for "Take Something."  

You can find their Bandcamp page here... or the EVG feature from a few weeks back here. 

Hello Mary is playing a sold-out show this evening at Bowery Electric.

An afternoon out with Hello Mary

Local rock trio Hello Mary — (above left) guitarist Helena Straight, bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer and drummer Stella Branstool — are playing an early show on May 21 at the Bowery Electric (ticket info here. Update: The limited-capacity show has sold out). 

On that day, the band will also be releasing a new song/video — "Take Something." 

Their first record, the 7-track EP titled Ginger, came out in December 2019. In an interview with Loser Zine last year, the three described Ginger as a collection of everyday experiences. 

"A common theme recurring throughout the album is social anxiety, and the obstacles that come along with it, as well as the boredom that erupts from the monotony of high school." (A fresh topic, as Helena and Mikaela, both 17, are finishing up high school.) 

Since then, Hello Mary has been working on songs for a new record... perhaps some of that unreleased material will get a sneak preview at Bowery Electric. 

The other day, EVG contributor Stacie Joy spent part of an afternoon with the band as they strolled around the East Village. (Stella's parents, Charles Branstool and Christy Davis, co-own Exit9 Gift Emporium on Avenue A. Christy herself is an accomplished percussionist. She plays drums for Gold, who's also on the bill on May 21.) 

On the walk, Hello Mary and Stacie talked about COVID-19 vaccines, strong women and role models. And they had a really good time...

You can find Hello Mary on Bandcamp here. (On the first Friday of the month, Bandcamp waives their revenue share, so bands receive all the profits.) 

The video here from last spring is for Ginger's title track...