Written October 2018
Performing to a crowd that doesn’t seem to know your back-catalogue by heart - or in some people’s case, even a handful of songs - is usually not the most ideal situation for a musician. But if you’re the Canadian indie pop artist Helena Deland with enrapturing, angelic blue eyes, and just as an angelic voice to match, there’s not too much to worry about in regard to winning over said crowd.
From the second she and her bandmates Alexandre (guitar), Francis (drums) and Agathe (bass) stepped onto the stage tucked away in the basement of the Sebright Arms, Deland was arresting. She’s easily the kind of artist who could make the O2 arena feel small and intimate – her gig just happened to literally be in a small room this time.
Starting with A Stone is a Stone, a song taken from a series of EP’s written by Deland, named Altogether Unaccompanied, was a particularly smart choice. It’s a slow, wistful number where Deland’s soft, haunting voice takes the reins, showcasing her talent vocal wise, and it consists of personal, self-doubting lyrics (Thinking there has to have been something wrong / Since the time when a stone was a stone / Now, what do I know?) that give us a taste of just how open she is willing to get. To stop paying attention to her for even a split second would feel shameful, as if someone were to bravely pour their heart out to you, only for you to brush it off like no big deal.
Deland’s vulnerability plays an endearing contrast to the cool, Scandi vibe she has going on (bleach blonde hair, light blue eyes, neutral clothes) and the edgy aesthetic of her band (tousled hair and head-to-toe black outfits). But that’s not all that shakes off any presumptions of Deland as your stereotypical, intimidating indie girl; she’s giddily smiling the second she finishes a song, she’s bouncing around to the more upbeat numbers like the wonderfully synth-heavy Claudion, and she’s repeatedly saying genuine ‘thank-yous’. As an artist at the start of her career, it’s clear she is just overjoyed anyone is spending their Wednesday night listening to her.
Deland is particularly smiley when she invites her friend Liz from Montreal on stage to sing the short acoustic number Two Queries, and when Alexandre messes around before the final song by mimicking the strum of his guitar. Her happiness is contagious, and she is undeniably likeable - you may start the show knowing little about her, but you’ll no doubt leave feeling like she is your best friend who you just want the best for in life.
The band do take a bit of a backseat, kneeling down during certain songs and staying pretty much mute, but it doesn’t come across as a cruel, ego fuelled decision of Deland’s. Instead it just makes a nod, and fairly so, to the fact she is the songwriter and the back-bone of the whole thing. And though Deland does play the guitar and keyboard whilst on stage and could theoretically play a show alone, the gig comes most to life when all of the foursome joins in. Highlights are Body Language, a moody bass driven song about a relationship on the rocks which hears Deland enter Lana Del Rey territory in terms of vocals, and the finale Baby – Deland’s gentle hums mixed with heavy drums is magical.
All Deland needs for her next London gig is an excited, pre-passionate crowd. But with the show she put on last night and a repertoire of great songs, it could easily happen sometime soon. Oh, and a full album release to justify a longer set would be nice too.
Feature Image: Wikimedia Commons
Comments