Helen St. MixR: A West Oakland Backyard Becomes a Creative Haven

In the vibrant heart of West Oakland, tucked away in a backyard on Helen Street, the modest home of Adam Dowling and Alix Aceituno has slowly transformed into a dynamic hub where artistic souls converge called Helen St. MixR.

A long tunnel along the side of the house transports you into a bustling hive of activity, brimming with musicians, visual artists, poets, and lovers of artistic freedom. The outdoor space embodies the artistry surrounding it, as its wooden backyard fence is adorned with an eclectic mix of artwork, reflecting the wide variety of creativity that envelopes the space.

Founded in 2016, Helen St. MixR started as a community-based art pop-up focusing on bringing together art, artists, and food vendors.

"The first MixR was just an excuse for my roommate and me to celebrate our June birthdays. We got a bunch of food to BBQ, hit up a couple of my artist homies to come through to display their musical talent and perform live art paintings, and that was it."

"The first MixR relied heavily on the community of neighbors as I was still very new to the Bay Area." Being the new kid on the block was deemed to be no challenge for Dowling as the MixR was a huge success.

"The experience made me want to create it again. Two months later, I curated another one and had another great turnout. It became an intimate setting for artists and fans to collaborate. A true mixer." From 2016-2019 Dowling curated and threw over 15 shows, including one in Santa Cruz. But then the pandemic hit and Helen St. MixR came to a standstill, unable to host live shows anymore.

Doubt filled Dowling, wondering how live shows would survive amidst the lockdown. Lucky for Dowling however, friend and BFF.fm DJ Elijah Collins suggested bringing the MixR experience to the people by pre-recording a band's set and then broadcasting it via Twitch for everyone to access.

4 years later, Helen St. MixR is as buzzing as it was in 2016, as the team has produced 3 virtual seasons, with this one being their fourth. They've recorded 29 sets with the same Helen St. production team they started with, including Collins, Brooke A. Price, and audio engineer AJ "Make No Bones" Hicks. They have even had the opportunity to collaborate with The Complex SF and SpecialSays to video 9 of those sets. With the community's support, Helen St. MixR has produced 38 virtual sets, with 9 set to be released this season.

Helen St. MixR's most recent live-show taping took place earlier this month. The stage was prepared for a collection of artists that worked to create a magical 2-day live taping. The lineup for the second day of taping included music from: Byron Mayhew, Oddity, RQTEK, and Make No Bones.

Bay Area native Byron Mayhew started the live-taping session with a minimalistic approach: a single electric guitar paired with a small loop pedal that revealed a bright and melodic performance. Every note had a multifunctional rhythm, making it seem like Mayhew had an entire band onstage. Each note lingered on the loop pedal and distorted itself into various sounds that paired well with Mayhew's emotive lyricism.

Oddity, a local East Bay band with roots in Berkeley, filled the stage with various instruments ranging from a unique standing bass to a piano, trumpet, guitars, and drums that sparked curiosity at what their sound would embody. Notes of Neo-soul, jazz, and rap quickly rang as Oddity's sound carried an infusion of influences. Vocalist Maddie Liu's dulcet tone paired beautifully with the piano and reflected hints of Chet Baker's melodic sound. The band's set featured songs like "Brighter Days" and "In the Shadow of My Mind," whose lyricism reflects a rebirth and open heart by revealing how her experience as a transgender woman of color is interwoven with inspiration for her music.

A complete change in the atmosphere occurred when R.Q.Tek (Righteous Quest That Enters Kingdom) stepped onto the stage for his set. Tek's automatic charisma and freestyle rapping were energy-inducing and reflected confidence that turned heads. Tek's thoughtful lyricism highlighted his childhood struggles and experiences by embodying themes of finding self-love with compassion and dealing with mental health struggles. Songs like "Where the Love At" and "Work Ethic" cemented the mindset and life advice that Tek lives by in that every day brings a chance to be better.

Helen St. MixR's final performance, by Make No Bones featured an intimate, stripped-down set that allowed for a raw and emotional experience that left everyone present feeling touched and moved. AJ, the lead audio engineer for Helen St. MixR, surprised everyone around as he took to the stage with nothing. Alone with his guitar and voice created a sense of vulnerability that drew the audience in and held them captive throughout the entire set. The intimate setting sparked a sense of closeness between the performers and the audience, as his set was dedicated to the life his father lived amidst his battle with Alzheimer's. AJ's recollection of his childhood during his father's illness reflected thoughtful lyricism with an emphasis on grief and being able to heal.

As the night ended, it was clear all musicians involved were talented and passionate about their craft and the work of their peers. Each artist watched each other perform with intensity and emotion, creating a moving experience for everyone present.

Dowling understands that art is hard for artists to find platforms to share, so whether you're a seasoned musician, or a poet finding your voice, Helen St. MixR provides a welcoming platform for artists of all levels and backgrounds. Helen St. MixR is not just about showcasing art; it's a space that allows for anyone about building connections, nurturing talent, and creating a more vibrant and inclusive society. In an era where artistic expression is needed more than ever, Helen St. MixR’s success is everything and more.

Adam Dowling would like to give a shout-out to the Helen St. Crew for all their hard work and never-ending dedication to providing all artists with professional recordings and to Helen St. MixR's Patreon supporters for making those recordings possible at no cost to the artists.

The full schedule for Helen St. MixR's latest season is:

6/25 - RQTEK

7/16 - Make No Bones

7/30 - Byron Mayhew

8/13 - Afterthought

8/27 - Camellia Boutros

9/10 - The Canterbury Bells

9/24 - Space Goat

10/15 - Oddity

10/29 - Tall Tee