Interview And Live Review : 15/12/05 - Manchester Academy 4 by Dave Adair
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What fools we’ve been, for overlooking Helen Boulding.The ebullient and crafted Sheffield songstress even shares her songs with the main act on tonights bill - Dave Adair investigates a hardworking and soul-searching, insightful performer.
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What fools we’ve been, for overlooking Helen Boulding.
The hollow basement style Club Academy venue was brimming with eager and
colourful Alex Parks’ devotees, but little did they know, that they were in for
a neat surprise even before that. The ebullient and crafted Sheffield songstress
Helen Boulding, who has written songs for tonight’s centre attraction, shoots
the breeze and opens up for all.
The new year, well 6th February (2006) to be precise, sees the release of
Helen’s second single ‘I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know What I Need’ that
oozes heart-rending self belief. Was this a natural by product of being one of
six children?
“Well, that song can be perceived in many ways. I am impassioned about what I
am doing and I guess that comes off in the song. Making music is all I ever
wanted to do; I was obsessed with it. My parents are very supportive; I come
from a colourful Irish/catholic background. We have all been encouraged to do
our own thing, as a result we have all gone on to do colourful things. My
brother is a soccer player.”
B-side to the next single is a longing and poetic six minute; mind journey
entitled ‘Hazel Eyes’. I was intrigued to see if she dabbles much in poetry and
does poetry have much of a place in modern music?
“Yeah, I do love poets and think it does have a place in modern music. I
think there is a difference between being a performer and an artist. Take Jeff
Buckley, for example, you can tell with him that music is a way of life and the
same with John Lennon. They are not manufactured in any way, but are just being
themselves and telling the story of their lives, that's a true artist for me.
For "Hazel Eyes" I actually wrote the melody first and then the lyrics followed.
The marriage of the two makes it very achy.”
Your music seems to take on new life in a live setting due to the personal
nature of your work. Will the set be different than usual in support of the Fame
Academy starlet Alex Parks? Helen’s eyes lit up at the mere suggestion of her
performance;
“Well tonight, it is an acoustic set; a piano, double bass and guitar. It is
great playing acoustically because it is so personal. The single features the
full band and I enjoy that aspect as well.”
It must be like being in two bands being able to produce contrasting sets?
“Yeah, it is. It makes it more dynamic.”
Every reply was preceded by a warm, sincere and welcoming smile that would make
Tony Blair stab every member of his cabinet in the back to get his hands, or
rather his face on a smile like that. What was the music scene like in the place
she calls home; Sheffield?
“Well, my musical background was influenced heavily by the records my mum and
dad used to listen to like The Rolling Stones, John Lennon and Joni Mitchell
etc.’
The last artist was interesting, as the influence of Joni on Helen is very
prevalent in her "Housework EP", along with Nick Cave in my humble opinion. It
was time to get serious and ask about the state of the music industry with its
integrity constantly being called into question. Was this something she noticed
and worried about and is hype a big problem?
" I think that any artist/performer can't ultimately be massively successful
for a long period of time, unless the public like them and buy their records - I
don't think any amount of push from a record company can trick the public for
too long. One of the main things I would say that is seriously lacking in the
industry, is the development of bands and artists. Labels more often than
not, go for the quick buck and sign manufactured pop acts instead of developing
artists that are quality musically and will last. Plus it's these acts that keep
the music business going, because they are album selling acts.”
That is a good point well made I thought.
“Yeah, that is why I like artists such as Ron Sexsmith so much, he has never
had a push, yet he has been around doing his own thing for so many years. The
same with artists like Shawn Colvin/Bonnie Raitt etc they survive because people
love their music, which is great and how it should be.....survival based on
the brilliance of the artist opposed to hype.”
They say that teachers make the worse students, so in that vein what was the
last gig that Helen attended and does she makes mental notes on the artist’s
performance?
“I went to see Sheryl Crow in London; my friend played keyboards for her. She
is a brilliant singer/songwriter because she is constantly evolving and has an
excellent stage presence. She has changed, not as rocky this time around. This
is probably because she is in love. But, yeah, you do find yourself comparing
other act’s shows and stage presence with your own. It is natural, I guess.”
I wish I kept up with the showbiz gossip more. Who is she in love with?
“Lance Armstrong.”
“What the front man from Rancid?”
“No, the cyclist!”
Helen then went on to tell a story that substantiated my initial view upon
meeting her. She comes off as being the sort of person who is a lucky omen,
bringing good fortune to whom or whatever they touch;
“Whilst on tour with Glen Tilbrook in Stratford, he had a big American style bus
that he decided to turn into a night club after the show. We had a bit of a
party till 3am and then realised that we were locked into the grounds of the
venue and couldn't get the car out to drive to the B & B, so I tentatively (in
case I woke him up), rang the promoter to get him to let us out.”
I could not help breathing a sigh of relief at what I thought was the impending
happy ending, as my eyes were beginning to fill up. However, the final
denouement was not yet upon us;
“I obtained the details and it took me a while to get through, when I
explained the situation he said; yeah that would be fine if it were tomorrow
night and you were in Manchester. He was the tour promoter from the next day. I
had contacted the wrong guy. Anyway, we phoned the right guy and sorted the
situation out, but when we arrived in Manchester and met the new Tour Manager
promoter; he came up to me and said I owe you a massive favour. It turns out
that he had come home and fell asleep in front of the fire and left it on, my
phone call woke him up.”
She made the drinking motion with her hand to further paint the picture;
“His girl friend was upstairs, so it turns out I save his bacon!”
Or, more to the point; saved him from becoming bacon? There was just about time
to enquire as to whom or what makes Helen angry, as she appears to have such a
friendly and calm disposition?
“I am laid back until someone is picked on. I hate bullies.”
Don’t we all?
“I detest people who disrespect others for no reason.”
The latter statement rung particularly true, as Helen proceeded to produce a
reflective, personal and subtle acoustic set. The lead was taken by her
colourful and crisp piano accompaniment as well as her lush and longing vocals,
reaching a peak in the sombre and reflective; ‘This I Swear’ and ‘Housework’.
However, the constant cackling from the audience that is a natural corollary of
having a bar in close proximity to the stage, perturbed her throughout the set
and she became riled enough to verbally castigate gatherers, pleading for some
hush and respect.
The livelier and bubbly numbers including forthcoming single; ‘I Don’t Know What
I Want, But I know What I Need’ and the thoughtful ‘What A Fool’, meant that
more and more people became entangled in the web of catchiness that had been
intricately woven. Also, if it is any consolation to the sincere musician, most
of the infectious verbal diarrhoea concerned discussions about how compelling
and gripping the set was turning out to be?
The crisp and humbling ode about the harshness of modern relationships; ‘Way To
Go’ put a lid on a hardworking and soul-searching thirty minutes of music from a
growing and insightful performer.
words: Dave Adair
pictures: (c) Helen Bouldin Website
(c)(p) December 2005 - mbm licenced to musicdash