Nikki and Jon Stipp's Cleveland-based Hooked Like Helen creates music for film and T.V. (Netflix “CHEER”, MTV, E! and more) and has opened for Jewel, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and PVRIS. They supported Scott Stapp of Creed, Poppy, and Dead Poet Society at KLAQ Rocks The Park on Oct 4th in El Paso, TX.
Their rock EP, "Promise Me You’ll Run", co-produced by Nikki and K Thrash (Jelly Roll, MGK), has received airplay from 107.3 Alt Cle, 99x Atlanta, 89.7 The River and more nationwide. Singles landed on Apple Music playlists and the title track's video has hit over one million views since its release last fall. Hooked Like Helen is nominated for this year's Cleveland Music Awards in the Best Rock Band Category and will be direct support for LoConti at the city's own renowned music festival, Brite Winter. HLH will be releasing a follow up EP in collaboration with K Thrash in early 2026 and embarking on a headlining tour in support of the new singles in Feb/March.
Beyond music, HLH cultivates healing communities, performing and leading mental health discussions at college campuses including San Diego State University, with more dates confirmed at Oregon State and UC Irvine in 2026. Through themes of trauma, mental health and recovery, HLH crafts hopeful anthems that resonate deeply with fans. Nikki, 13 years sober, uses her platform to illuminate paths to survival.
Bad Guru is a dynamic genre-spanning rock band based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Our influences span from alternative to stoner rock and include bands like Tool, King Buffalo, Highly Suspect, and Soundguarden. Our music sparks questions, challenges boundaries, and embraces the full spectrum of what it means to be human.
In Division is Atlanta metal, low riffs and ethereal soundscapes.