PRESS KIT / Bio
Helen Austin is a prolific singer/songwriter from the UK now living on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.
Helen is no stranger to the stage and has worked as a professional performer for over 20 years, building a career as an award winning, musical comedian and regular headliner on the UK comedy circuit.
A prolific songwriter with a degree in performing arts, she has now stopped touring and is concentrating solely on music and writing. Her music has the DNA of Simon & Garfunkel and CSN&Y while being clothed in Iron & Wine and a folkier Feist and her melodies stay in your head long after hearing them.
As Program Director of three radio stations dealing with multiple formats and hundreds of songs every day, I can tell you that the first time I heard Helen Austin perform there was something that grabbed me. It’s difficult to put one’s finger on it but Helen’s music is both engaging, personal and thought provoking. I can’t wait to hear more from her in the future!
Joël Lamoureux
Program Director, Vista Radio
98-9 Jet FM, 95-7 Sun FM, The Port 1240
Helen has written music and lyrics for specific occasions such as a recording a theme song for A Fighting Spirit, a BC charity that networks photography services for families with critically ill children. She wrote a song for about sustainability in the Comox Valley with help from children from a local school, called 'Island Home'. And her song "Relay", written to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event, is now played at Relay events all over the world.
Her ability to bring new, original songs right to the heart of her listeners has inspired many. She keeps us wanting more!”
Kisa Macdonald
Comox Valley Community Arts Council.
She now writes and records music full time. With her self-produced music videos getting over half a million viewers online, she has been earning accolades and acquiring fans from around the world. A popular entertainer in the Comox Valley, Austin performs with a 12-piece R&B band, the Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, runs a songwriter's circle and is part of various musical ensembles in addition to her own performances as a singer/songwriter.
"As a songwriter and a radio programmer. I admire Helen's expressiveness, not only for the lyrical content & melodies, but the shear volume of really good songs.
Helens new CD "one eye on the door" is home brew of tunes and instruments simmered into a very quenching collection. She is vocally softer and more confident this time around. Get out and see her live if you get the chance!"
Brian Hazelbower
CHLY 101.7fm
She has been a finalist in several major songwriting competitions and is currently working with publishers and getting her music placed in TV, ads and film. Some of her recent placements are:
CBS - 'Ghost Whisperer'
CW - '90210'
MTV - 'My Life As Liz', 'Real World:DC', '16 & Pregnant'
Insight Comminications Ad
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ada
Closing song for an upcoming documentary
3 songs placed in the upcoming movie 'Mayor Cupcake' with Judd Nelson and Leah Thompson.
“Nice use of double-vocals..song gets to the point really quickly and to the hook nicely. Has a nice simple vocal and playing style that compliments the lyrics. THIS IS THE WINNER..BY FAR.”
-- Daryl Berg, judge, The Singer Songwriter Awards
"Your styling and delivery reminds me of so many top notch singer songwriters that I grew up on, as well as the best of the current crop. Quality this good is timely and time-less!
I wish every artist had your talent, drive and realized vision of who they are artistically. You are the essence of independence vs. a contrived and crumbling conglomerate music business infrastructure. From hearing your material, I would want to see you live, buy a shirt and become part of your base community. You don't need a record label, you just need to keep building what you're building and they will come..... " A&R - Taxi.co
Follow Helen on Twitter and Facebook
All photographs by McKinnonphotography.com