It is the last night of Helena Deland’s solo tour of the UK and it feels like a special occasion. The lights are turned down low in the Belgrave, folks are relaxing in the venue’s sofas and easy chairs, and as the Montreal-based songwriter and musician takes to the stage with her acoustic guitar the “Tonight’s Performance Will be Loud” advisory sign posted outside has clearly been aimed at a different audience for a different night.
Helena Deland opens with both songs that appear on her Altogether Unaccompanied, Vol. V record. Released only last month, it is the latest instalment in a series of EPs she began to record seven years ago. These contain songs that never quite made it onto her two albums to date.
The former, ‘Silver and Red’ appeared on a recent GIITTV Tracks of the Week feature, and the latter ‘Bigger Pieces’ whilst more expansive by design still holds the same dreamlike, organic qualities of its predecessor. It makes for a beautiful introduction to an evening already blessed by a warm, intimate atmosphere.
The first of two brand new songs that will be performed here tonight follows. Helena Deland describes it as being “about having moved a few times in the past year” and it certainly captures some of the motion, a feeling of running away, that is present on her fellow countrywoman Joni Mitchell’s album, Hejira.
The lovely ‘Someone New’, the title track from her 2020 debut album, is the only song to appear from that record. By way of contrast no less than five songs turn up from Helena Deland’s exquisite second album, Goodnight Summerland. Two of these, the spectral ‘Roadflower’ and ‘Saying Something’ see the night’s principal support, Olivia Kaplan return to the stage. The American musician who is based in Los Angeles adds an almost wraith-like accompaniment on harmony vocals, moving both songs into an even more ethereal dimension.
“One last song…it’s a sleepy one.” Helena Deland introduces the tranquil love song ‘Strawberry Moon’ but any thoughts of slumber are quickly dispelled as she returns for one last hurrah courtesy of ‘Spring Bug’, a most apposite choice of song with which to end this perfect evening given that British Summer Time begins in just a few hours from now.
Photos: Simon Godley
More photos of Helena Deland at Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds
