Cassandra's Ears

Jan Hellriegel
Jan Hellriegel, live at St James Theatre, Wellington
Background information
Birth name	Janette Hellriegel
Born	Waitakere, Auckland, New Zealand
Origin	Auckland, New Zealand
Genres	Pop/rock
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active	1985–present
Labels	Blind Date Records
Associated acts	Cassandra's Ears
Website	Jan Hellriegel

Jan Hellriegel is a singer/songwriter based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Her first recorded appearances were in Dunedin band Working With Walt in the mid-1980s when Jan studied at the University of Otago in Dunedin. She then formed all-woman band Cassandra's Ears, moving back to Auckland and going solo in the early 90s.

Hellriegel has released three solo studio albums, "It's My Sin" in 1992, "Tremble" in 1995 and "All Grown Up" in 2009.

She has toured with and supported many international acts including The Cure, Jeff Buckley, David Byrne, Diesel, and Ron Sexsmith.

She has also performed as a guest vocalist for many bands such as Straitjacket Fits, The Verlaines and The Mutton Birds, notably on the latter's hit single Nature.

Jan Hellriegel was born and raised in West Auckland with her three brothers and attended Henderson High School. She famously worked in her father's panel beating shop, though only in the office. Nonetheless, the combination of her birthplace and early employment led to her being branded a "Westie" by the New Zealand media.

Jan took vocal training in speech and singing at St. Mary’s College, Auckland under Sister Mary Leo. She then moved to Dunedin in the 1980s to attend the University of Otago, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

While in Dunedin, she joined her brother Rob Hellriegel's band, Working With Walt. She performed backing vocals, piano and guitar on their 1984 7" LP The Prophet and wrote and performed the song "Christina" on the band’s 1985 LP 4 Sides.