Hometown: Bristol, United Kingdom — this is where I grew up mainly, but I also moved around a lot. I have dual nationality, English and Australian, so spent significant amounts in each place.

Homebase: Los Angeles these last 3 years.

Is Helena Legend your real name?

My real name is Helena Atherton. I used to just go by the name Helena, but ran into complications with it being just a single girl’s name that was hard to search on the Internet, unless I officially adopted DJ Helena, which I wasn't down to do. Legend was the name of one of my first significant music releases, and it stuck with my fans from then as my "legends" so it seemed to fit for a stage name.

Tell us about your EP No Explanations Part 1.

My productions / music up to this point have been on the tougher edge of EDM. I was very much in that whole movement, so this EP is a completely new and fresh direction for me as a producer, but it's music I love and want to make, I decided the name "No Explanations" seemed appropriate for the EP just to anyone out there who is questioning what I am doing, music speaks for itself. I am doing what I want and I don't have to explain myself.

You played cello and other instruments before producing. Does that help you make music now? When did you realize you wanted to DJ and produce?

Having a musical background of course helps; I mostly mix in key naturally just by knowing what track will go with what and I can sing in key, when your ear is trained when you know music, you are alot more tuned into this stuff. I knew from when I was young music would be my career, I started DJing first then producing later on. It helps the song writing process as it helps you to hear the small details and sounds, you know when something needs more EP or it needs new chords, rhythm. The stuff that books can't teach you.

What was your first EDM experience like?

I snuck into a festival with my older brother when I was 14 and got to see Daft Punk, they played "Around The World" and my world changed. I was hooked from then on. Dance music became my everything.

What do you like better, DJing or producing or singing?

My ideal is playing tracks out that I have produced and sung on, that is like a triple win. I love the energy of the clubs, DJ and performing was my first love. Combining it with tracks you have made and seeing the crowd react to them in life completes it.

Who are your musical inspirations?

I have so many different inspirations it's hard to pick, but I would say DJ Snake, The Chainsmokers and Major Lazer gave me the confidence to move more into the pop / dance arena. I find all these guys hugely inspiring with what they have achieved.

What do you do for fun?

I am a big foodie, I love going to restaurants I love spending time with my dog, watching movies and working out, maybe doesn't sound fun to some people, but when your job is to bring the fun in the clubs, having normality and doing normal stuff is quite appealing.

Describe your style to someone who'd never heard you before.

Energetic. I am pretty versatile musically with my styles and how I play, so energetic would be a good way to describe it.

Any new year’s resolutions?

To try and get a booty. I'm going to squat more! [Laughs] Oh, and a Billboard Top 20 would be nice. I'm going after that.

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