Helen Shanahan Camouflaged Interview

Helen Shanahan Camouflaged Interview

Helen Shanahan has announced her her single and video Camouflaged (out April 28), the perfect follow up to previous single I Only Hide, expressing curiousity as to who she would be without the burden of anxiety. Camouflaged is another taste of Helen's new album Every Little Sting - a versatile, considered and skillful collection of folk-country tunes from the outstanding songwriter, set for release on May 5. To celebrate the release, Helen will be hitting the road throughout May, kicking off on May 5 at Fly By Night Musician's Club in Fremantle, then moving through Margaret River, Yallingup, Melbourne and wrapping up on June 1 at Petersham Bowling Club in New South Wales.

Moody, yet buoyed by casually-cool percussive rhythms, Camouflaged is like frustration encapsulated in a piece of music. What would it be like if I wasn't always hiding away, when everybody shows their face, asks an exasperated Helen in her heartstopping falsetto, accompanied by the pulsing band that perfectly represents the ever-present nature of anxiety. Working with filmmaker Brendan Joel (Jacob Diamond, Sam Perry), who she also worked with on her 2015 release Across The Sea, Helen has released a stunning, one-take video to accompany Camouflaged. Reflecting on the song and the idea behind the impactful clip, Helen says, 'Camouflaged is about realising you have to back yourself, and believe in yourself in order to be heard. I so often find I prefer to stay in the background, but when it comes to my music, I realised I needed to do the best I could to put myself out there instead of being -camouflaged'… This clip mirrors my previous single I Only Hide with themes of wanting to break free from anxiety and to be comfortable in my own skin. Themes of -breaking out' of my anxious self to experience the joy of being -wild' and -free' come through in the chorus scenes when I am playing with my band in a vibrant setting."

Camouflaged is but one example of the soft, subtle power of Helen Shanahan's songwriting, which is on full display on her new album Every Little Sting. Recorded and produced in Nashville, the perfect place to hone her country-inspired catalogue, Every Little Sting is a triumph for the inspired songwriter. Helen's understated voice tackles even the most intricate phrases with utmost ease and remains the standout musical factor throughout the record, despite the powerful playing that accompanies her. Recorded with producer Brad Jones (Missy Higgins, Bob Evans, Melody Pool), Every Little Sting features the adept skills of drummer Jason Cheek, string player and arranger Chris Carmichael (Taylor Swift, Buddy Guy, Jessica Mauboy), and Helen's husband Matt Allen and the Grammy-nominated Kim Richey on backing vocals. Helen reflects on the process and the themes explored in Every Little Sting, 'The calibre of the musicians in Nashville was out of this world, I felt lucky to even be in the same room most of the time…The main theme that runs through the album is having anxiety, and being more sensitive to issues that arise in daily life. The title track Every Little Sting is a good summation of the album, that I feel everything strongly – which is a blessing and a curse as it has been the inspiration for many of my songs, but at the same time has been a hard thing to deal with. The album looks at feelings of being stretched thin, and feeling overwhelmed in Paper Thin. The album is balanced with some songs I wrote many years ago about my now husband, Now You're My Baby and Cover Is Blown. The album is a mixture of emotions, but hopefully finds a good balance between light and dark."

Helen Shanahan will be bring Every Little Sting out on tour, where audiences will have a chance to experience her remarkable talent at intimate venues across the country. Helen gives fans a sneak preview of what to expect from the shows, 'If you are planning to come to the launch at the Fly By Night Musicals Club, you can see the album played in full by my band (also known as the Shanaband) and a string quartet. Strings were a massive part of the album, and it will be amazing to showcase the arrangements live. For the rest of the dates, it will be myself and my husband Matt singing and playing in duo form. I'm hoping that later in the year I can get my full band and strings out on the road if people are liking what they hear!"

Pre-order the album, Every Little Sting and instantly receive the new single, Camouflaged: Preorder: EVERY LITTLE STING

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Interview with Helen Shanahan

Question: How would you describe your music?

Helen Shanahan: Honest, folky, melodic, acoustic!


Question: What was the main motivation behind Camouflaged?

Helen Shanahan: The main motivation was because I was feeling frustrated with myself for always wanting to shy away from people and performing. I love singing so much, but at the same time it means I am putting myself in the spotlight and leaving myself open to criticism. I think I was just wondering if I was more -out there' then would I be more accepted or heard by people?


Question: What inspired the tracks on Every Little Sting?

Helen Shanahan: A lot of different things have inspired the songs, but when I look back I do see that my feelings of anxiety are a very common thread throughout the album. I was also inspired to write about my relationship with my husband (in a positive way!) and there's also a song dedicated to my late grandmother Music On The Wind who was a wonderful musician.


Question: How has music helped manage your battles with anxiety?

Helen Shanahan: It has helped me more than anything. It has been an outlet for me to express how I'm feeling. It's hard for me to describe how I feel by talking; it is somehow easier to sing about things that are weighing me down. Music can be so healing, and when I listen to some of my favourite artists it helps me relax and take comfort in the fact that I'm not alone in feeling certain things.


Question: Can you tell us about the Every Little Sting launch night?

Helen Shanahan: It was such a wonderful night for me that I will never forget! I played with my full band (affectionately known as -The Shanaband') and also a string quartet. I played at a beautiful venue called -The Fly By Night Musicians Club', and it was so special to have the full band and strings play. I only wish we had filmed some of it!


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Helen Shanahan: I love Missy Higgins, Joni Mitchell, Patty Griffin and many other singer/songwriters!


Question: How has your music influences changed since your 2014 Telstra Road to Discovery win?

Helen Shanahan: The competition definitely broadened my awareness of other Australian artists; sometimes it's hard living in Perth because you feel very isolated from the rest of the country! It led me to work with producer Pip Norman who had produced a lot of hip-hop and soul music, which opened me up to hearing my music in a different light. I loved working with Pip, and without the competition I wouldn't have met him.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Helen Shanahan: They both have their place; I love performing live because I get to connect with people when they're actually in the room. Recording can sometimes be a stressful thing for me, as I want to get it right and I know it's going to be out there forever! However I like recording as it can be very creative, and your song can really transform in the studio.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Helen Shanahan: It would have to be Missy Higgins. When I heard her album The Sound Of White, I knew that that's what I wanted to do too. My parents and friends were also very influential in encouraging me to go to my first -open mic' night!

Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Helen Shanahan: I think it's been the hardest to actually be heard. As I mentioned, I find it hard to put myself out there, and sometimes I think -oh if I was more confident maybe people would take more notice'. I'm just singing my songs and writing them as honestly as I can, and it's been hard to find the right market or audience who will listen. I think perseverance is the key, and that can be challenging when you think no one really cares about your music! Musicians can be full of self-doubt, haha!!


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Helen Shanahan: One of the best things has been playing with a band, and working with other like-minded musicians. It is really special to hear your songs being played by other people, and even having string arrangements made to accompany them.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Helen Shanahan: I would absolutely love to collaborate with Missy Higgins, but I feel like I might pass out if I ever met her!!


Interview by Brooke Hunter