About Jan Hellriegel

“Today, I resolve to act in a way, knowing what I have on hand right now, is all I have to work with, and that will be enough.”

Jan Hellriegel is a bit unusual.

Not only is Jan an established singer/songwriter and a published author, she is also an independent music publisher and music licensing specialist.

Jan’s worked in music for over 30 years. She started out as a politicised student songwriter fronting an all-woman band Cassandra’s Ears. Next she became the rock-in-a-frock darling of 90s Warner as a solo recording artist, releasing a couple of critically acclaimed albums and touring with Jeff Buckley, The Cure, and David Byrne. Then she walked away from music before returning post-family with an altogether different sound and philosophy on life and art. 

In 2019 Jan released a 5th studio album alongside a book; Sportsman of the Year. Her Sportsman album reached Top 10 in the NZ music charts and the book was very well received.  She was preparing to tour and promote the album internationally when the pandemic scuppered those plans.

Jan has a high profile in Aotearoa New Zealand and is well regarded throughout the industry. She founded and runs Songbroker Music Publishing, a progressive music business focusing proactively on creating more opportunities and income for indie artists.

She is a recognised expert in music copyright and is a loud and persistent voice lobbying government for the rights of musicians. Alongside Songbroker Music Publishing, Jan founded music licensing specialist Aeroplane Music Services. She continues to write and record and is now working on another studio album as well as a new podcast series, “Knowledge is Creative Freedom”.

The Sportsman of the Year show is a mixture of music, comedy and stories. Jan can perform this show on a piano or with a guitar.

“Songs and stories of raw honesty and directness. Delivered with a warm smile, robust acoustic guitar and an astonishing vocal range. Captivating - Review Robin Kearns. 13th Floor. Waiheke Jazz Festival _ 8 April 23”

Jan, founded Songbroker Music Publishing, a social enterprise focusing proactively on creating more opportunities and incomes for indie artists. She is a recognised expert in music copyright and a loud persistent voice lobbying for music artists’ rights. Jan is a former board member of IMNZ and sat on the RMNZ board during the development of One Music. Alongside Songbroker, Jan founded music licensing specialist Aeroplane Music Services and continues to run her strategic creative company, Seahorse Swim. Her last album release Sportsman Of The Year  - A Suburban Philosophy achieved number 2 in the NZ Music Charts. She continues to perform, write and record music and is currently working on a new album project and a business programme for musicians called “Melody - Knowledge is Creative Freedom”. 

Book or get a quote from Jan for Speaking Engagements or The Sportsman Of The Year show here: BOOKINGS

Look out for public speaking engagements and events here. EVENTS Jan Hellriegel

Read more about Jan’s creative career here. AudioCulture

 See more here LinkTree

Associated websites Songbroker Music Publishing and Aeroplane Music Supervision