HELVETIA is a band comprised of Jason Albertini and Dove Amber, each of whom previously played together in the revered band of hush-rockers, Duster, beginning in the late 90s (they have an album of their own currrently in progress). Joining them is Adam Howrey, whom Jason played with briefly in the Vells, and Ross Peard, a mutual friend of Albertini and Amber. After Duster's last release in 2000, Albertini & Amber relocated to Seattle WA from San Jose CA. Over the next few years Albertini continued to redesign and redefine his songwriting and recordings. The culmination of the strongest, most impressionable material was chosen to be re-recorded for a release on the new Static Cult Label started by Duster bandmate Clay Parton, with assistance on the Helvetia release from Up Records. Meanwhile, along with working on both the debut Helvetia LP and new Duster material, the Helvetia group played a number of shows around Seattle and the west coast before finally doing a national tour along with Built to Spill in Autumn 2005. They are preparing to make another national tour with BTS once again to coincide with the release of both the Helvetia debut "The Clever North Wind" and the new Built to Spill album.