Helena Hallberg

Story

Helena Hallberg is a Swiss/Swedish composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist and actor based in New York City. Artistically, Hallberg has been described as a chameleon. As a composer, she has written for a myriad of projects ranging from children’s theatre to modern jazz, most of which have been in one of her 4 native languages. Most recently she hit the studio with her 7-piece band The Heathens to record her newest music, of which the first EP "Last Love" was released in June 2020. Organizing the first ever Swiss production of Jonathan Larson’s RENT in 2010, Hallberg has gone on to manage multiple successful projects, including her debut EP “Blind”, which was released in 2017 and was supported by Zurich’s Cultural Foundation. "Blind" can be heard on the Swiss National Radio Swiss Radio Pop. Backed by The Heathens, she’s been performing around the city since 2018 and can be witnessed at venues like The Knitting Factory, The Bitter End and Silvana Harlem. The group most recently got back from a short tour in Alabama. Hallberg has a strong interest in music education and is known for crossing geographical, cultural and linguistic boundaries when doing so. Since 2015, she’s been coaching students across two continents. Topics have included repertoire, vocal and breathing technique and speech. One of her favorite postings is working with the Lovewell Institute for the Creative Arts, an international organization that emphasizes on educating children and young adults about the importance of the creative process. Hallberg has been using her knack for story-telling on stage since she was very young. Most recently, she played Marie Curie in the 2019 Fred Ebb Workshop of Radioactive, directed by Sammi Cannold. She’s also been involved in performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Plaza Hotel, as well as playing Luisa in Manhattan School of Music’s inaugural musical theatre production of Nine. Hallberg’s work has been described as “internationally Swiss”: “No matter whether it’s Musical Theatre, Folk, Pop or Jazz. Helena Hallberg is like a Swiss Army Knife made in Sweden: Versatile and flawless”.

Profile

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music is about interpreting realities. Other people's music gives me insight on how they live and love. I tie my own creations closely to my own experience as a human being, but I don't like being too expositional about it. Each part of a composition is a way to tell the listener something about how the creator(s) see the world. And that fascinates me.

What is your music dream?

Writing albums with great arcs and meaningful impact. If I can take you on a journey from the first to last track, I will have done my job.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

Inequality. I'm a big believer of human rights-- that there is a certain basis of existence each human being should have a right to have.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

"Ole Lukkeoye" -- It's a Danish lullaby about the sandman. It's pure, musically interesting and will get you to sleep like a baby.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Father John Misty, Joni Mitchell, The Who, Oskar Linnros, Helen Sjöholm, Ella Fitzgerald, Heartless Bastards

What inspires you to make music?

Life and adversity. I like writing about "real" things. Not that love and heartbreak aren't real, but increasingly I've been exploring peoples realities and things they're faced with on an everyday basis.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

Do no harm, but take no shit. Find what empowers you, but embrace your shortcomings, they're what makes you who you are.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

I feel comfortable when I'm completely in my own world. I've done a lot of theatre, so I very much believe in getting lost in a private moment in a public setting. And I think experiencing a performer in that private moment is what makes live music to compelling.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

There are so many tools available for independent musicians nowadays. But many of them are set up for profit and tend to take advantage of people who feel lost in the world of being an independent artist. Many proclaim to have "the answer", which is just not possible when it comes to finding your own voice and building your own artistic persona. I hope to see more tools like drooble where real people can talk to real people, where artists can support each other in a personal way. Because in the end, we all have a unique voice and the coolest thing is when there can be a conversation in between all of those unique voices.

What do you think of Drooble?

So far, pretty neat!

What frustrates you most as a musician?

When musicians don't support each other. It's time to put away the insecurity and understand that someone else's success doesn't impact your own journey.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

Yes, I go (or went before the pandemic) to all the local little venues and listen to other bands all the time. I go to jam sessions and reach out to similar artists in my area. I love communication with other creatives.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Perseverance, patience, introspection, kindness and a dose of entrepreneurship.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

A lot of Scandinavian artists that haven't reached the US like Oskar Linnros, Veronica Maggio, Melissa Horn and Gummi Tota.