Jason Albertini started Helvetia after the dissolution of the band Duster (in which he played drums).
Helvetia's first record, The Clever North Wind, was released in 2006 on the Static Cult Label and distributed by Up Records. Their first national exposure was achieved by touring with Built to Spill. Helvetia is produced and performed by Jason Albertini and sustained by a rotating live line-up, which has included C. Dove Amber, Jim Roth, Scott Plouf, Zeke Howard, and Samantha Stidham.
Their third release, Headless Machine of the Heart was released in 2008. The record was recorded entirely on a 4-track tape machine.
Helvetia released Dromomania on Joyful Noise on October 2, 2015.
In December 2022, Helvetia released Get Lost & Other Dimensions and announcing that Albertini, now the sole member of Helvetia, was "[ending] this phase of Helvetia. I'm dealing with a health issue that's going to put me on ice for a while." Later in March 2023, along with the release of Dream Faster, Albertini announced two other albums being released a week apart from each other, and also said, "If you are worried that I'm releasing too much music just remember that it will stop eventually", which concerned fans.[1][2][non-primary source needed]
On August 1, 2023, Helvetia released The Beach At The Edge Of The World, which Albertini called "the last Helvetia album". Two years later, Albertini surprise-released Welcome the Summer Heartbreak.
Discography
Studio albums
The Clever North Wind (2006, The Static Cult Label, distributed by Up Records)
