Helena Deland

{{Short description|Canadian musical artist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = | image = Helena Deland Summit Music Hall 03.19.10 (40465729803) (cropped).jpg | image_upright = | image_size = | landscape =  | alt =Deland playing guitar and singing into a microphone | caption = Deland performing in 2019 | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date =  | birth_place = Vancouver, British Columbia | origin = | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = Art pop, indie folk | occupation = | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|bass|piano}} | years_active = | label = Luminelle Recordings, section1, Chivi Chivi | associated_acts = Hildegard | website = {{URL|helenadeland.com}} }}

'''Helena Deland McCullagh'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/895791119 |title=A STONE IS A STONE |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref> is a Canadian singer-songwriter. To date she has released five EPs: ''Drawing Room'' (2016<ref name="stereogum">{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Collin |title=Helena Deland – "Aix" |date=3 August 2016 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1891909/helena-deland-aix/mp3s/ |publisher=Stereogum |accessdate=12 November 2018}}</ref>) and ''From the Series of Songs "Altogether Unaccompanied"'' Vol. I, II, III & IV (2018) that she has written and composed. Her first full-length album ''Someone New'' was released on 15 October 2020. Her second full-length album ''Goodnight Summerland'' was released on 13 October 2023. Deland is currently signed to Luminelle Recordings (label founded by Gorilla vs. Bear & Fat Possum Records) for the world as well as Chivi Chivi for Canada. She has toured consistently since the beginning of her career in Canada, United States and Europe.

==Biography== Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Deland spent the first years of her life in Summerland, British Columbia before moving to Quebec City where she grew up. Deland currently lives in Montreal. Her native languages are French and English; however, she primarily writes and sings in English.<ref>Werner, Mackenzie. [http://www.hooliganmagazine.com/blog/2018/12/15/interview-a-conversation-with-helena-deland "INTERVIEW: A conversation with Helena Deland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307054118/http://www.hooliganmagazine.com/blog/2018/12/15/interview-a-conversation-with-helena-deland |date=7 March 2019 }}, ''Hooligan Magazine'', 15 December 2018. Retrieved on 6 March 2019.</ref> She began playing piano and guitar as a child and started singing when she moved to Montreal.<ref>Kidwell, Zoe. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20190307054405/https://milk.xyz/articles/getting-personal-with-helena-deland/ "Getting personal with Helena Deland"]}}, Milk Agency, 19 October 2018. Retrieved on 6 March 2019.</ref> Deland's inspirations are diverse,<ref>Finn, Rachel. [http://diymag.com/2018/08/28/get-to-know-helena-deland-interview/ "Get to know… Helena Deland"], DIY Mag, 28 August 2018. Retrieved on 6 March 2019.</ref> including Jessica Pratt, Joni Mitchell, and Sea Oleena.

Deland's musical upbringing is partially rooted in her Québécois heritage, particularly on her father's side. Family gatherings were characterized by the performance of traditional call-and-response songs, reflective of old Québécois customs. In addition to these cultural expressions, Deland's familial musical environment also featured a love for The Beatles, showcasing the influence of the late '60s and '70s on her musical tastes.<ref>Deland, Helena. [https://www.talkhouse.com/reference-library-helena-deland-was-inspired-by-a-latent-memory/ "Reference Library: Helena Deland Was Inspired by a Latent Memory"].</ref>

Deland studied literature at the Université du Québec à Montréal, an experience that significantly influenced her approach to songwriting <ref>Côté, Émilié. [https://www.lapresse.ca/arts/musique/2020-10-17/helena-deland-s-inventer-une-version-confiante-de-soi.php "Helena Deland : s’inventer une version confiante de soi"].</ref>

Deland is featured on "Free the Frail", a song from JPEGMafia's third studio album ''All My Heroes Are Cornballs''.

Her 2020 album ''Someone New'' was longlisted for the 2021 Polaris Music Prize,<ref>David Friend, [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-daniel-lanois-savannah-re-charlotte-cardin-make-long-list-of-polaris/ "Daniel Lanois, Savannah Ré, Charlotte Cardin make long list of Polaris Music Prize"]. ''The Globe and Mail'', June 16, 2021.</ref> and was a Felix Award nominee for Anglophone Album of the Year at the 43rd Félix Awards.<ref>Louis-Philippe Labrèche, [https://lecanalauditif.ca/actualites/nominations-premier-gala-adisq-2021/ "Les nominations du Premier gala de l’ADISQ 2021"]. ''Le Canal Auditif'', September 22, 2021.</ref>

In 2021, she formed the electronic act Hildegard with Canadian producer Ouri. Their eponymous debut album, recorded over eight days, was released June 4, 2021.<ref>Yara El-Soueidi, [https://cultmtl.com/2021/06/the-debut-album-by-montreal-duo-hildegard-track-by-track-helena-deland-ouri/ "The debut album by Montreal duo Hildegard, track by track"]. ''Cult MTL'', June 6, 2021.</ref> Their album ''Jour 1596'' was longlisted for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize.<ref>Allie Gregory, [https://exclaim.ca/music/article/polaris-music-prize-unveils-2025-long-list "Polaris Music Prize Unveils 2025 Long List, Announces Song Prize"]. ''Exclaim!'', June 10, 2025.</ref>

In 2022, Deland toured Europe with Andy Shauf and Leith Ross.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canadian Singer-Songwriter & Artist Leith Ross Unveils New Single 'Orlando' |url=https://www.thesoundcafe.com/post/canadian-singer-songwriter-artist-leith-ross-unveils-new-single-orlando |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=www.thesoundcafe.com}}</ref>

Deland released her second solo album, ''Goodnight Summerland'', on 13 October 2023, under the Chivi Chivi label. Intentionally steering "Goodnight Summerland" towards a more acoustic direction, Deland collaborated with New York-based singer-songwriter Sam Evian, known for his work with artists such as Cass McCombs and Big Thief.<ref name=renaud>Philippe Renaud, [https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/musique/799866/musique-helena-deland-chante-ce-elle-pu-dire "Helena Deland chante ce qu’elle n’a pu dire"]. ''Le Devoir'', October 14, 2023.</ref>

In an interview, Deland shared the emotional journey encapsulated in ''Goodnight Summerland''. The album stands is a tribute to her late mother, delving into the complexities of grief and the challenges of navigating life after loss.<ref name=renaud/>

The album was a longlisted nominee for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/music/polaris-music-prize-2024-long-list-the-beaches-charlotte-cardin-allison-russell-1.7230166 "2024 Polaris Music Prize long list: the Beaches, Tobi, Elisapie, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and more"]. CBC Music, June 11, 2024.</ref>

==Discography==

'''Studio albums:'''

*2020: ''Someone New'' *2021: ''Hildegard'' (with Ouri as Hildegard) *2023: ''Goodnight Summerland'' *2024: ''Jour 1596'' (with Ouri, as Hildegard)

'''EPs:''' 2016: ''Drawing Room'' ''Drawing Room'' is Helena Deland's first EP released on 26 August 2016 under Montreal label Chivi Chivi. Produced by Jesse Mac Cormack, it includes four songs written and composed by Helena. {{Track listing | headline = | total_length = 16:38 | title_width = 70% | writing_width = | music_width = | lyrics_width = | extra_width = | title1 = Aix<ref>Spill New Music. [http://spillmagazine.com/spill-music-premiere-helena-deland-aix/ "Spill Music Premier: Helena Deland – ‘Aix’"], ''The Spill Magazine'', 26 August 2016. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref> | length1 = 4:12 | title2 = Black Metal<ref>Thérien, Valérie. [https://voir.ca/nouvelles/actualite-musicale/2016/08/19/ecoute-integrale-helena-deland-drawing-room-ep/ "Ecoute intégrale : Helena Deland Drawing Room (EP)"]. ''Voir'', 19 August 2016. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref> | length2 = 3:42 | title3 = Baby | length3 = 4:29 | title4 = Drawing Room<ref>Rayner, Ben. [https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2017/02/17/your-new-favourite-thing-helena-deland.html "Your New Favorite Thing: Helena Deland"], ''Toronto Star'', 17 February 2017. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref> | length4 = 4:15 }}

* '''2018:''' ''From the Series of Songs "Altogether Unaccompanied"'' '''Vol. I & II,<ref>Lu, Leah. [https://uproxx.com/music/helena-deland-ep-stream/ "Stream Helena Deland’s entrancing new EP, ‘From The Series of Songs ‘Altogether Unaccompanied’ Vol. I & II’"], Uproxx, 3 March 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref> III & IV'''<ref>Hmood, Zahraa. [https://exclaim.ca/music/article/helena_deland-altogether_unaccompanied_vol_iii_and_iv "Helena Deland, Altogether Unaccompanied Vol. III & IV "], ''Exclaim!'', 16 October 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Lelièvre, Nathan. [https://www.icimusique.ca/albumsenecoute/911/helena-deland-altogether-unaccompanied-iii-iv "Helena Deland: vive, intime et singulière sur Altogether Unaccompanied Vol. III & IV "], Ici Musique, 19 October 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref>

This series of four volumes, produced by Jesse Mac Cormack,<ref>Editorial Staff. [https://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/20666/the-10-best-new-canadian-artists-of-2018 "10 new Canadian artists that ruled 2018"], CBC Music, 7 December 2018. Retrieved on 6 March 2019.</ref> was meant to be released as a complete album. The songs were so varied in genre that it was decided to release them separately with the objective of gathering songs that were similar in their themes and sounds.<ref>Powell, Aaron. [https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/on-the-rise-helena-deland-interview-2018 "On The Rise: Helena Deland"]. ''The Line of Best Fit'', 9 October 2018. Retrieved on 6 March 2019.</ref><ref>Lindsay, Cam. [https://exclaim.ca/music/article/helena_deland_discusses_montreal_community_gorilla_vs_bear_and_making_day_music_or_night_music " Helena Deland Discusses Montreal Community, Gorilla Vs. Bear and Making Day Music or Night Music"], Exclaim!, 18 October 2018. Retrieved on 6 March 2019.</ref> The singer's inspirations have a common theme: human relationships.<ref>Lu, Leah. [https://uproxx.com/music/helena-deland-interview-altogether-unaccompanied-volumes-3-4/ " Canadian Songwriter Helena Deland On The Friendships That Inspire Her Meditative Synth-Pop"], Uproxx, 17 October 2018. Retrieved on 6 March 2019.</ref>

Vol. I & II were released on 2 March and Vol. III & IV were released on 19 October 2018 via Luminelle Recordings and Chivi Chivi.<ref>Johnson, Tom. [https://www.goldflakepaint.co.uk/new-music-helena-deland-there-are-a-thousand/ "Helena Deland, There Are a Thousand"], Gold Flake Paint, 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Jetté, Elise. [https://www.journaldemontreal.com/25-chansons-queb-qui-ont-marque-2018 "25 chansons queb qui ont marqué 2018"], Journal de Montréal, 27 December 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>MacDonald, Sarah. [https://www.vice.com/en/article/helena-delands-take-it-all-tackles-the-reality-of-romantic-expectations/ "Helena Deland's "Take It All"], Noisey, 15 February 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Israelsohn, Sophie. [https://www.stereogum.com/1985086/stream-helena-deland-from-the-series-of-songs-altogether-unaccompanied-vol-i-ii/music/album-stream/ "Stream Helena Deland From The Series Of Songs "Altogether Unaccompanied" Vol. I & II"], Stereogum, 1 March 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Murphy, Sarah. [https://exclaim.ca/music/article/helena_deland_teases_two_new_eps_with_claudion "Helena Deland teases two new EPs with ‘Claudion’ "], Exclaim!, 25 July 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Pareles Jon, Caramanica Jon and Russonello Giovanni. [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/26/arts/music/playlist-cardi-b-lauren-jauregui-xxxtentacion-lil-pump.html?emc=edit_ms_20181026&nl=louder&nlid=8666185820181026&te=1 "The Playlist: Cardi B Hits Pay Dirt, and 11 Mor New Songs "], New York Times, 26 October 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Gordon, Holly. [https://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/20414/premiere-listen-montreal-helena-deland-lean-on-you "Premiere: listen to Helena Deland’s hypnotic new song ‘Lean on You’ "], CBC Music, 19 September 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Wang, Steffanee. [http://www.thefader.com/2018/07/25/helena-deland-claudion-altogether-unaccompanied " Helena Deland’s "Claudion" will make you love synth-pop"], The Fader, 25 July 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Powell, Aaron. [https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/song-of-the-day/helena-deland-rise " Helena Deland shares hypnotic ballad "Rise" "], The Line of Best Fit, 22 August 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref>

On February 8, 2022, Deland released a new single titled "Swimmer", which later appeared on ''Goodnight Summerland''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/helena-deland/new-single-swimmer/ | title=Helena Deland Shares Heartbreaking New Single, "Swimmer" | date=26 January 2022 }}</ref>

==Videos== *2016: "Baby"<ref>Marvel, Emillie. [https://idobi.com/1st-listen/exclusives/feature-helena-delands-video-for-baby/ "Feature: Helena Deland’s Video for ‘Baby’"], idobi, 6 October 2016. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref> *2018: "Claudion"<ref>Blais-Billie, Braudie. [https://pitchfork.com/news/helena-deland-shares-new-claudion-video-watch/ "Helena Deland shares new “Claudion” video: watch"], Pitchfork, 29 October 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref><ref>Deland, Helena. [http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/vision_quest_helena_deland_on_the_video_for_claudion/ "Vision Quest: Helena Deland on the Video for ‘Claudion’ "], ''Under the Radar'', 12 November 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref> *2018: "Take it All"<ref>Gore, Sydney. [https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/helena-deland-take-it-all-video-premiere/ " Helena Deland Is Ready to “Take it All” "], Highsnobiety, 7 June 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref> *2018: "There Are a Thousand"<ref>Manning, Emily. [https://i-d.co/article/premiere-helena-delands-new-video-is-part-david-lynch-part-80s-power-ballad/ "premiere: helena deland’s new video is part David lynch, part 80s power ballad"], i-D, 12 March 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref> *2020: "Someone New" *2020: "Truth Nugget" *2020: "Comfort, Edge" *2021: "Jour 2" (Hildegard) *2020: "Jour 1" (Hildegard) *2020: "Jour 3" (Hildegard) *2020: "Jour 8" (Hildegard) *2022: "Swimmer" *2023: "Spring Bug" *2023: "Strawberry Moon" *2023: "The Animals"

Heland also did live sessions for La Blogothèque and CBC Music's First Play Live.<ref>Editorial Staff. [https://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/20492/helena-deland-altogether-unaccompanied-vol-iii-iv "First Play Live: Helena Deland, From the Series of Songs “Altogether Unaccompanied” Vol. III & IV"], CBC Music, 15 October 2018. Retrieved on 5 March 2019.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}} {{Helena Deland|state=expanded}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deland, Helena}} Category:Canadian women singer-songwriters Category:Canadian women pop singers Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Montreal Category:Musicians from Quebec City Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century Canadian women singers Category:Canadian indie pop musicians Category:21st-century Canadian singer-songwriters