PRESS KIT / Bio
Female Songwriter and Artist of the Year 2011
Vancouver Island Music Awards
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 is now concentrating solely on the music - writing, producing and performing. A regular MC and performer at Vancouver Island Musicfest, Helen is enormously comfortable on stage has played many venues which range from thousands at Glastonbury Festival, UK, to intimate house concerts and everything in between.
Her music is a cross between Ingrid Michaelson and Iron & Wine rooted in Paul Simon and The Beatles 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 loves to put her music to good use through fundraising and has written music and lyrics for specific occasions such as her song "Relay", written to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event, which is now played at Relay events all over the world. Her music can also be found on albums such as 'Songs for the Cure' (Cancer Research) and 'Up, Up, Up' (Autism). She also wrote the song for the Helping Hearts website and a song to celebrate 25 years on Women in Rotary called Rotarian Women.
"Helen has a beautiful distinct voice and that will always open doors for her all on its own. She reminds me a bit of a female Elliott Smith or Paul Simon" -- Women Of Substance Radio
Helen's self-produced music videos getting over a million viewers online, she has been earning accolades and acquiring fans from around the world. A popular entertainer in the Comox Valley, Austin 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. 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 has been invited to showcase and be a pnaelist at numerous conferences. She is currently working with publishers and getting her music placed regularly in TV, ads and film. Please click on Placements to see where her songs have been licensed.
“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!" -- A&R - Taxi.com
"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.com
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All photographs by McKinnonphotography.com