Luminelle Recordings is releasing the third and fourth volumes of From The Series of Songs “Altogether Unaccompanied” by the the Montréal-based artist who has amassed a collection of memories in song form, more like a box of old photos or unsent letters than a traditional EP. Today, Helena Deland is sharing her new single “Claudion”, which is now available to stream.

Helena Deland on her songs:

“The songs are to be considered as their own little things,” she says about her unconventional release structure. “They are part of something larger, yes, but they live on their own.” As a listener, however, there is an undeniable cohesion to Vol. III and IV, and to the previous iterations of the project: each song is nostalgic, intimate, and indelible.

The tracks range from tender folk, to synth-infused pop, to 80s-inspired alternative. Deland describes these changing tonalities as the “atmosphere” of each song, and it fits. “Two Queries” is a thick, warm fog in its haunting harmony and stripped-down guitar. “Claudion,” a colourful dance track, feels like a summer day.

Helena’s songs are memories; beacons of particular moments in time that extend to encompass a deeply relatable sense of melancholy. “A Stone is a Stone” is particularly cinematic in its build, like the climactic scene of a period romance.

References abound, but the sound is all her own. Musical and literary influences weave through with ease, underscored by her dynamic vocals and clever lyricism. Deland’s constant journaling has allowed her songwriting to mature organically. “You leave all the people before they know it,” she sings on “Rise,” and you feel it.

“I’m learning to be really patient,” she says, “I can’t really force writing. When I’m ready to write a song the words and melody are usually there.”

Helena Deland
TOUR DATES

08/07 • Lasalle, QC • Belvédère du Parc des Rapides
08/17 • Saint-Jérôme, QC • Festival Saint-Jérôme Folk
08/18 • Toronto, ON • Camp Wavelength
08/19 • St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC • Festival des Montgolfières
09/02 • Montréal, QC • Mile Ex End
09/20 • Drummondville, QC • Studio
09/21 • Saint-Hyacinthe, QC • Le Zaricot
09/22 • Trois-Pistoles, QC • L’oeil de la Tempête
10/05 • Sherbrooke, QC • La Petite Boite Noire
10/11 • Lavaltrie, QC • Chasse-Galerie
10/13 • Gatineau, QC • Petit Chicago
10/18 • Halifax Pop Explosion, NS • Seahorse Tavern
10/22 • Glasgow, UK • Poetry Club
10/23 • Manchester, UK • The Castle
10/24 • London, UK • Sebright Arms
10/25 • Eindhoven, NL • [DDW] Wilhelmina
10/26 • Amsterdam, NL • London Calling, Paradiso
10/28 • Berlin, DE • Maze
10/29 • Cologne, DE • Acephale
10/31 • Paris, FR • Pitchfork Avant Garde Festival
11/16 • Montréal, QC • Théâtre Fairmount
11/17 • Laval, QC • Annexe 3
11/23 • Trois-Rivières, QC • Église St. James
11/24 • Quebec, QC • La Meduse
11/29 • Toronto, ON • Monarch Tavern